AP credits at BC

<p>From reading the BC website, I’ve gathered that AP credits are used for placement over course credit. I’ve also read about the accelerated standing where you would graduate in 3 years as opposed to 4. I was wondering if to be able to qualify for that just off of the 24 credit policy. Are there any other requirements cause 24 credits doesn’t seem like a lot to be able to graduate a year early. Also do elective credits for AP exams count toward that 24 credit policy?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>24 credits = 8 classes = typical senior year course load ===> save one year and graduate in 3 years.</p>

<p>The only “other requirements” regarding advanced standing are that you still have to satisfy all of BC’s normal graduation requirements – i.e., fulfilling all of the core requirements and the specific course requirements for your major – within the 3 years that you are there. That means that you have to be very, very careful with your course selection and probably stick to one major (the same major) all 3 years. You also are probably giving up the opportunity to double major (or perhaps even minor) and to take a lot of electives “just for fun” since there wouldn’t be that much extra room in your schedule.</p>

<p>Also do elective credits for AP exams count toward that 24 credit policy? I’m not sure I understand your question. Can you give a specific example?</p>

<p>for example I got a 4 on my AP US history exam but the chart that shows the AP policy for BC says “US History/ Minimum score 4/ Ap Award credits 6/ 2 History Electives” I was wondering if that 6 AP credits count toward the 24 credit policy even though they are elective credits.</p>

<p>Yes, they do count towards the 24 credits required for advanced standing, BUT since they only count as 2 "history electives ', they don’t count towards fulfilling any of your core requirements or any of your major requirements – unless you are a history major. In that case, you would use the AP credit to satisfy the American Civilization requirement for history majors and would not have to take HS 181-182, as discussed here:</p>

<p>[Major</a> Requirements - Boston College](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/history/undergrad/major/requirements.html]Major”>Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences | Boston College)</p>

<p>For all other majors (assuming you are in A&S), your AP credit in American History would count towards your total number of credits required to graduate but would just take away 2 non-major elective slots that you would have had otherwise and might have used to fit in a minor or a double major or those “just for fun” classes.</p>

<p>The most “valuable” AP credits – in terms of advanced standing – are the ones that satisfy some of your core requirements or let you skip introductory classes in your major.</p>