<p>My son is probably going to Caltech in the fall. He needs to register for AP tests soon. Does anybody know what AP credit Caltech will likely accept? The catolog is not very specific, Thanks!</p>
<p>there is no automatic credit for any APs. In particular, the introductory math and science courses for freshmen at Caltech are considered to be much more rigorous than APs. There will be some placement exams in math, chemistry, and physics over the summer which can result in credit. And they look at the student's entire record, including APs and college courses, and may decide to award credit on a case-by-case basis. But you won't know if this applies to your son until the fall when he actually actually starts. For more info,go here (scroll about 1/3 of the way down):
<a href="http://pr.caltech.edu/catalog/uginfo/undergradinfo.html%5B/url%5D">http://pr.caltech.edu/catalog/uginfo/undergradinfo.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks Texas, I had already read that. I was wondering if anybody had received any credit for AP's, such as humanities. Where do they take the placement exams?</p>
<p>The placement tests are mailed to accepted students over the summer--I've heard in June, I think. You take them yourself, so it is also the first experience with the Honor Code.</p>
<p>I'm assuming no credit for humanities APs, but I don't know anything official.</p>
<p>Thanks CWatson!</p>
<p>No credit for ANY AP's -- including humanities. In fact (I've heard), Caltech often won't even give transfer students (especially from CC's) humanities credit. You're much more likely to get credit for the sciences than humanities.</p>
<p>Should he even bother taking any AP tests this year. He currently has psychology, government, German, calculus BC and physics C. The tests are $82 each and the money is due Wednesday. It seems like it would be a waste of money if he won't get credit. Is science credit strictly granted from the Caltech tests or must one have already taken the AP tests? Thanks again.</p>
<p>toshimi - is he definitely decided on Caltech? If he is still considering some other school that will give credit, he might want to keep his options open. Also ask his school if he can pay now, and get a refund later if he decides not to take them. I think someone else on CC talked about doing that.</p>
<p>He has never visited Caltech, but he is going to Pre Frosh Weekend and is fairly sure he will go to Caltech. I forgot about the refund. Last year he couldn't take one AP and got an almost full refund with no advance cancellation notice. Thanks Texas!</p>
<p>I took them even though I didn't need to (knowing that there was no chance of getting Caltech credit) just because I was curious to prove to myself that I knew the material (I agree, this is an expensive and somewhat narcissitic reason). Also, in the scenario that your son/daughter decides that they don't like Caltech, it would make transfering much easier. </p>
<p>Galen</p>
<p>I took 4 AP classes my senior year, but I knew I was going to Caltech, so I only registered for 1 test just so that I wouldn't feel left out with all my friends taking the tests. :-)</p>
<p>I took the placement tests when they were mailed but didn't place out of anything (nor did I expect to; even introductory Caltech classes are quite a bit harder than AP classes).</p>