<p>hey, does anyone understand what getting a c.u. credit means? someone has tried answering this question for me and i have no idea what my AP credit will translate into at penn. also, i’m deciding whether or not it is worth my time to study for exams in may, so if anyone knows, please tell me! for example, what would a 5 on US History do? a 5 on AP spanish lang? etc. thanks!</p>
<p>A c.u. is just simply a credit unit. All of our classes here are 1 cu (with the exception of lab sciences which are usually 1.5). </p>
<p>If you're a senior and you think you can get a 5 on something that penn gives credit for, take it.. otherwise, forget it, lol</p>
<p>The current facts about AP credit at Penn are here:</p>
<p>In your case:</p>
<p>A 5 in US history will get you 1 CU for HIST 042
A 5 in Spanish will get 1 CU for SPAN 220 and fulfills the language requirement</p>
<p>My own feeling is that its well worth the time and effort, particularly if you're planning on grad school. Admission to grad school is even more competitive than undergrad so the more time you have for research or advanced preparation the better off you'll be.</p>
<p>If you're heading into the job market, you may also have an advantage in terms of being part of a smaller applicant pool. </p>
<p>As a parent paying for both my tuition and my son's I look at each AP class as $3518 back in my pocket.</p>
<p>thanks--but i am very unclear as to what HIST 042 means...does that mean i get a credit for history period or one class if i were to take it? i'm very confused.</p>
<p>how many credit units are needed to graduate?</p>
<p>It's easy once you catch on to Penn's system.</p>
<p>You need 32-36 credits to graduate. Except for science lab courses all courses are 1 credit. Lab courses are usually 1.5 credits. </p>
<p>So, if you get a 5 on the US History AP, you'll get 1 credit for the class HIST 042 from Penn. It's just like you took the class and passed - no further work needed.</p>
<p>(HIST 042 is not listed in the catalog, so I have a hunch it's a special code for "AP US History" or something like that)</p>
<p>All that means is that on day one, you'll have 1 credit already - and 31+ more to go.</p>
<p>Languages are a little trickier. Everybody has to meet the foreign language requirement. You can do it 3 ways:</p>
<p>1) Take the Penn placement test for your HS language and finish the 4 semester series from whatever starting point you're given.
2) Just take 4 semesters of a language
3) Score a 4 or 5 on the language AP test. A 4 fulfils the language requirement. A 5 fulfils the language requirement and gives you 1 credit in the language.</p>
<p>Does that help?</p>
<p>thank you SO much! i understand now--thanks! but do most people graduate with more credits than are necessary? about how many do most people have? and can PE classes fulfill credit requirements? is there a PE requirement at pen?</p>
<p>yeah, me and the 3 other kids in my AP Calc AB class going to Penn might play cards during that AP test. We all have to take it... but Penn doesn't take the credit. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>except then chocoman, it will look like you're cheating, and everyone else's tests in the room will be under scrutiny by CollegeBoard.</p>
<p>At least that's what I heard happens when cheating is reported, may be just a myth though.</p>
<p>ouch. I've never taken an ap test before, so I don't know the protocol.</p>
<p>Oh well - then it looks like I'll put B for every answer, and then 4.5 for the free responses, and take a 82 dollar nap.</p>
<p>I would say most people end up with a few more credits than are required. </p>
<p>If by "PE" you mean "physical education" - no, there's no PE requirement.</p>
<p>chocoman, just dont show up</p>
<p>choco i hear u can get refunds.. policy differs, check w/ ur school, but if u don't touch the test you might be able to get one</p>
<p>Any chance they'll change their AP policy to accept AP Government?</p>