AP Credit Questions

<p>After looking at the requirements to graduate from LSA, it seems to me that AP credits would not help out much, aside from allowing me to enter a higher level class. It is my understanding that AP credit cannot be used to meet the distribution requirement so seeing as I would have to take classes to get those credits anyway, why would I use AP credit or bother taking AP tests?
If someone could clarify this for me I would appreciate it. I probably did not understand the graduation requirements fully.</p>

<p>Not sure how you interpreted the information on the UM website or what scores you think you will get. I can tell you that my son is just finishing his first year, and came in with 27 credits from AP. Could have graduated in 3.5 years, but will instead get a double major and study abroad and still (hopefully) graduate in four. The AP credits really give you flexibility.</p>

<p>You have to take at least 120 credits. While there are requirements which force you to take certain types of courses, if you come in with AP, you won’t have to take as many total credits.</p>

<p>OP, you basically have it straight. AP credits allowed me to skip Calc I & II, allowing me to start my math major with Calc III. AP credits also allowed me to skip Econ 101 & 102, allowing me to start my econ major with Econ 401 (unfortunately, UM doesn’t give credit for AP Econ anymore). You are correct in that you cannot knock out distribution credits w/ AP credit, but being able to shorten your major(s) is very beneficial, in that you can graduate early/study abroad/double or triple major/take some classes in your 4 years that you wouldn’t have be able to take otherwise. </p>

<p>Furthermore, this was not due to AP credit, but I was able to skip the entire language requirement by doing well on the Spanish placement test. That’s another 4 classes I didn’t have to take. Combined with skipping 4 math and econ classes, I essentially entered UM a year ahead of someone who hadn’t placed out of anything. If I wanted to, I could have graduate with Math & Econ degrees in 6 semesters. Instead, I’m sprinkling some Ross courses into my degree and will be done in 7. Lesson: do well in high school!</p>

<p>Could you explain what you mean when you say Michigan doesn’t give credit for AP Econ anymore? On the website it says they give 2 credits. Can those credits be used toward an elective? Or are they only to be used toward an economics concentration?</p>

<p>They don’t place you out of Econ 101 or 102 anymore = they’re virtually useless.</p>