<p>Alright, this is what Columbia says about Advanced Placement scores (for the Fu School, but I'm assuming it's the same for the College):</p>
<p>
[quote]
Advanced Placement</p>
<p>Prior to entering Columbia, students may have taken the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Place-ment Examinations in a number of technical and nontechnical areas. Students may be assigned to an advanced-level course in mathematics, chemistry, or physics. A maximum of 16 points may be applied.</p>
<p>In the required pure science areas, the number of advanced placement academic credits awarded to students of engineering and applied science varies from the levels awarded for liberal arts programs, notably in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science. The benefit of advanced placement is acceleration through certain First Year-Sophomore Program requirements and thus the opportunity of taking specialized courses earlier.</p>
<p>Each year the school reviews the CEEB advanced placement curriculum and makes determinations as to appropriate placements, credit, and/or exemption.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just to make sure: when they say "AP credit," they mean actual college credit, right? Or does it mean something different? I'm so confused. Does it only work toward advanced standing/graduating early, or does it count as "elective" credit if you are not exempted from anything?</p>
<p>There's two separate things -- 1) placement into a higher level course, and 2) credit hours towards your graduation requirements. Every AP is different; sometimes you get 1), sometimes 2), and sometimes both.</p>
<p>Some APs count as literally advanced-placement, qualifying you to take higher levels of math, physics, chemistry, and the like. Most will net you "Nontech Elective" credits, which for me ended up being:</p>
<ul>
<li>3 pts bio (Biology exam)</li>
<li>6 pts english (3 each for Eng Lit and Eng Lang)</li>
<li>6 pts history (3 each for Euro Hist and US Hist)</li>
</ul>
<p>Each required a 5 on the AP. All told, that was more than a semester's worth of credits that I essentially got for free. In exchange, I got a lot more sleep and a lot less stress my senior year.</p>
<p>Note that I believe under no circumstance does an AP exam satisfy a major requirement or a core requirement aside from "nontech elective" credit.</p>
<p>here's the one for the college
[quote]
Credit</p>
<p>The College grants up to one semester (16 points) of college-level work completed before matriculation at Columbia College. This work may be done under the auspices of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board, GCE Advanced Level Examinations, the International Baccalaureate Examination, or other national systems described below. In addition, the College will consider a maximum of 6 points for college courses taken after graduation from secondary school and prior to matriculation at Columbia. Those who enter as first-year students are subject to all rules for first-year students in their first two terms regardless of how many credits are earned from any of the approved advanced standing programs. Students who
wish to receive advanced credit may not take courses at Columbia that cover similar or more basic material than the advanced work already completed, nor may a student receive credit for two exams that cover the same material (for example, Calculus Advanced Placement and Mathematics GCE Advanced Level Exam). In some cases, credit will be awarded when a student successfully completes the course into which placement was awarded (or, in some cases the College may require a student to complete a particular course in order to receive advanced credit). The actual determination of advanced credit will be done after the student matriculates in accordance with stated departmental and College policies and will be awarded upon completion of the first year at Columbia. A more detailed explanation of particular programs follows.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>from: Columbia</a> College Bulletin</p>
<p>Thank you all very much! This is definitely helping me (ah, the greatness that is not taking an AP exam because it won't help me in college).</p>
<p>However, this:
[quote]
In some cases, credit will be awarded when a student successfully completes the course into which placement was awarded (or, in some cases the College may require a student to complete a particular course in order to receive advanced credit).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>confuses me just a tad. If, for some APs, you have to take a course at Columbia to receive advanced credit for the AP, what's the point of taking the AP in the first place? Wouldn't you already be receiving credit? Or do they mean that you'll receive advanced credit along with the class's normal credit amount?</p>
<p>For example, I received a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam. The SEAS bulletin says, "Advanced Credit: 3" and "Requirements or Placement Status: Requires completion of CHEM C2407 with grade of C or better." Does this mean I have to take that course to receive the 3 credits? But, as I mentioned, isn't that kind of redundant since I'd receive credit anyways?</p>
<p>Thank you~</p>
<p>Edit: Also, about the above example: I know I won't be exempt from Chemistry (anyways, I love it too much to want to be). I'm just using it as an example to help me understand this whole credit thing.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If, for some APs, you have to take a course at Columbia to receive advanced credit for the AP, what's the point of taking the AP in the first place? Wouldn't you already be receiving credit? Or do they mean that you'll receive advanced credit along with the class's normal credit amount?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's the latter. The AP test lets you start at 1 or 2 courses above the normal starting point but instead of just letting you place out of the requirement (lets say the college's science req) you need to take the more advanced course (for it's own credit) before you will get the AP credit to count.</p>
<p>...!!</p>
<p>SWEET! That's really quite awesome :O Thanks a lot for answering my questions :)</p>
<p>yeah. basically, they want you to prove you know what you're doing - at the Columbia level - before they'll award you the credits. but you still get credit for the course you took as well.</p>
<p>Incidentally, the 2nd-tier Chemistry class is Intensive General Chemistry, which I recommend very strongly to any first-year - regardless of background, in fact. It's for a variety of reasons, among them a better professor, 1 semester instead of 2, smaller classes, no evening exams, etc. So you'll likely get your fill of chemistry regardless, unless you jump straight to Orgo (Which is nuts, but not uncommon).</p>
<p>Would you recommend Intensive General Chemistry as a review class? In fact, would you recommend doing a review year for all subjects that you've did an AP for instead of jumping straight into the higher levels?</p>
<p>Also, exactly how "nuts" is going straight into Orgo? Walnuts nuts? I'm not very familiar with Orgo (sort of blazed through that chapter in class) other than it's hard.</p>
<p>Do a search for freshman orgo.....there are a couple of threads where shraf, denz, and c2002 have debated at length about the merits of regular vs. intensive vs. freshman orgo</p>
<p>Just a question about how AP credits are awarded. Do they just show up on your SSOL sometime after freshman year? Or are there any forms we have to fill out?</p>
<p>Skramata, I wouldn't call Intensive Gen Chem a review class. You go MUCH more in-depth into topics that you cover only superficially in high school chemistry (even AP chemistry). I think regular gen chem would be more of a review. Intensive also has a nice curve, and we were allowed to drop our lowest midterm. </p>
<p>I'm checking the class directory right now, but apparently, the info for C2407 isn't up. I don't know who's teaching it next semester. I had Prof Berne who was perfectly nice but not the greatest lecturer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Just a question about how AP credits are awarded. Do they just show up on your SSOL sometime after freshman year? Or are there any forms we have to fill out?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You have to go to the FYSAAC (or whatever its being called now) and go see your advisor with a copy of your AP score report sheet.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So you'll likely get your fill of chemistry regardless, unless you jump straight to Orgo (Which is nuts, but not uncommon).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>We've had this debate 10 times and the OP should search, but I just wanted to headline for the OP that I actually took Frosh Orgo (Denz took Intensive G-Chem) and don't believe it's nuts by any means. I believe taking Accel Physics is much more nuts than taking Frosh Orgo. If you're a stud at physics and enjoy being challenged, you should consider Accel Physics. If you feel comfortable in your gen-chem skills, you should consider Frosh Orgo.</p>
<p>Frosh Orgo isn't known for flunking people or causing people to drop out or having an abusive curve or anything. I'm not sure the basis for the thinking that it's nuts to take.</p>
<p>I agree that Accelerated Physics is much more nuts. But I think intensive g-chem is a good first-semester challenge course to take, while some of the material is a little bit of a review for the more advanced students. To take Orgo in your first semester is placing a big bet on your ability to adapt immediately to the rigors of columbia without a learning curve. There will be sophomores in that class as well, no? I just say, why put yourself at a competitive disadvantage before you know what you're dealing with?</p>
<p>It's not totally bonkers, but if you ask me, it's gambling with your GPA. that's all.</p>
<p>As suggested, I've searched past threads and read all the debate on Frosh Orgo. Although it seems extremely interesting and challenging, I think I will abstain for a little bit until I am more comfortable with my gen-chem skills. Thank you all for your advice -- I think I'll be a bit more ready when course selection comes around.</p>