AP credits

<p>It sounds like the Engineering school gives limited AP credits. What happens to all of the other AP credits with scores 3,4, or 5 that are not in your Engineering major? My son is graduating with 10 APs. Anyone know about AP credits beyond your major and core requirements?</p>

<p>Basically, you need the aps to get in but you don't get much of the credit, Especially a 3 they don't even count in most cases.</p>

<p>AP Calculus BC is useful for Engineers - your son will be able to get out of Calculus 1 and 2. Engineers can also use AP History to get out of GE category IV. Certain AP science courses will not replace your son's classes, but it will definitely make it easier to do well in them (ex: Physics, Chemistry). I was able to get out of 16 credits (Calculus 1, 2, 3, and Differential Equations); half was AP, the other half was community college in high school.</p>

<p>USC</a> ARR : Articulation : Advanced Placement Exams</p>

<p>Basically a few (VERY few) APs can be used to offset GEs, the rest can be applied towards electives. Not much of an option, since judiciously chosen electives is one of the highlights of a good college education. However, the AP classes do count towards total credits at USC. With 10 APs your S will probably have the maximum allowed credits (32), so in effect he will be a sophomore for administrative purposes. Will not mean squat the first semester, but starting second semester he will be allowed to register for classes before freshmen peers with less AP credits, yada, yada, yada. Not much of a benefit, but better than nothing.</p>

<p>Do you think it is possible to petition for credit for AP World History (score of 5) for one of the general ed. history requirements? I was surprised that AP World was not listed. I am also confused about AP Physics--looks like it counts for something in the Engineering requirements, but my son said at Explore Day he was told he has to take another Physics class anyways (which counts for the Engineering requirement too). My son's 10 APs before graduation are: Computer Science A and AB, Physics, BC Calculus, AP Lang, AP Lit, Statistics, Psychology, AP World and US Gov and Pol. It looks like Statistics, in combination with BC Calculus, might count towards the Probability class if you have a minor in Business. Does anyone know how many electives there are when you are an Engineering major? Can any of these APs count? (Looks like the Computer Science APs with scores of 5 plus the BC Calculus will count). Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>Here is the link from the Viterbi website that shows how the AP credits are dealt with in the engineering school. Viterbi does not give credit/waivers for AP Physics. The link in the previous post was for USC majors in general, which may give credit for AP Physics. USC</a> Viterbi School of Engineering : Advanced Placement Credit</p>

<p>Also, I believe USC will take up to 32 credits (8 successful AP exam scores). These credits may not necessarily count towards the engineering degree, but it will count towards class standing (which helps give an earlier registration time).</p>

<p>You can always petition to have requirements waived or substituted, but I would consider it unlikely that they would approve an AP for GE credit that wasn't already approved (and that USC has no equivalent class for, at least that I'm aware of) In general they're hesitant to make ANY substitutions for GE's, even other USC classes.</p>

<p>AP Physics gets you elective unit credits (which help get earlier registration times, until you hit the 32 unit cap) and it also lets you ask to get into PHYS 161/162/163, which is the alternative honors physics sequence, instead of PHYS 151/152/153 which is the ordinary calculus-based physics sequence.</p>

<p>Regardless, though, you still have to take their physics. As someone who did both AP Physics C exams and got 5's o both, USC's physics goes further than the AP.</p>

<p>(If given the opportunity, and you're interested in physics, I highly suggest you take the 16x sequence! It is taught by one of the best professor on campus and goes FAR beyond anything AP physics might offer)</p>

<p>jbusc - for a student (non-major) who has taken both physics AP exams, do you recommend the honors physics sequence over the regular?</p>

<p>It depends on whether you have to take the 151/152/153 sequence anyway </p>

<p>If you do, then if you're up to the challenge, by all means go for it! it's very rewarding - if you like physics, it's an opportunity to really go in depth and learn interesting things beyond what's necessary for you to move on to more advanced classes. I highly recommend the honors courses to people who are interested in physics and have the right background to succeed.</p>

<p>I assume by non-major you mean either non-physics majors (i.e., engineers), or non-science/engineering majors in general.</p>

<p>If it's the first case, you're in good company - probably the majority of the people in 161/162 are engineers or other non-physics majors.</p>

<p>If you don't have to take 151/152/153 for your major, then it becomes a bit more complicated. Non-major/specialized courses like PHYS 100, 125, 135ab, etc all have fewer math requirements than 161/162, and having good calc skills is essential for success in 161/162. So the question becomes, is it worth the extra investment in time & effort, especially if it's not just learning a lot of extra physics but math as well.</p>

<p>Thanks jbusc. This would be for my son, a film major, so it would be purely for pleasure :) He has significant interest in comp sci and physics, though he would be unlikely to double major, given the all-consuming nature of the film program. But he might want to take these classes, so this is good to know.</p>

<p>I guess it depends on the kind of film. The production major is supposed to be grueling but surprisingly I've heard a lot of people finish in 3 or 3 1/2 years, so potentially extra classes or even a minor aren't out of the question. Other film majors, I've heard, are a bit more flexible.</p>

<p>The main thing would be that I remember from 161/162 was the homework sets - seemingly infinitely long collections of problems that were difficult, even though he hands out the answers in advance :) If it's not possible to devote the time necessary, consider a pass/no pass grade. Since he already has AP physics to take care of his science GE, if he's not pursuing any double majors or minors, 161/162 would be just elective credits he can take P/NP. That way, it's less demanding and he can focus more on enjoying the class.</p>

<p>Of course, if he's considering taking 161/162 he should talk to Prof. Bickers before he plans to take the course - he can help navigate what the right choices to make are.</p>

<p>Anybody received a letter from USC regariding missing AP test scores? In the last few weeks, D received 2 letters already remind her to send in AP test scores( before orientation). I thought D was supposed to wait until July to send all her AP scores at once.</p>

<p>To Columbia Student: My son's AP scores Soph-Junior high school years were sent when he applied. Do you have any AP scores before senior year? If yes, I suggest that you get those reports sent ASAP. My son received AP credits based on the Soph-Junior high school AP transcript from the College Board. We will send another transcript from the College Board in July after this year's scores are recorded. You would have to pay for two reports if you have scores before senior year. Since your D may have credits before now which will count towards requirements, why not send them in ASAP to USC?</p>

<p>Earlier, mdcissp asked whether AP World History would satisfy a GE category. I have the same question but haven't seen a reply. Does anyone know?</p>

<p>Columbia: Yes D received the same letter,.. called Collegeboard to have them sent, and then received another letter from USC acknowledging receipt and listing the credits she gets and which GEs become waived. These were soph/junior APs.</p>

<p>They need them for orientation for class scheduling as a Science and a History can waive particular GE categories.
However, they won't have the 2008 AP scores (those doing orientation before July). I'm not sure how they deal with these when a subject and score can waive the GE. (probably a projected score and then sent once received?) </p>

<p>Once you call Collegeboard to forward scores, it takes about 5 days/ week for receipt at USC.</p>

<p>FauxNom- No, AP World History does not satisfy a GE credit. </p>

<p>GroovyGeek linked this earlier- here is the complete list.
USC</a> ARR : Articulation : Advanced Placement Exams</p>

<p>FauxNom: As far as I know it's Euro History or Art History.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your inputs. So far I think D only has one AP that would satisfy the general requirement of scientific inquiry and the rest of her APs would be elective credits. I was trying to save $15(ok, that's one big bottle of water ;)), so that is why it was not sent sooner. This is what I suggested to D that she will bring old copies of her AP scores to the orientation so she can inform her advisor which AP classes she would receive credit for. She is planning to take at least 2 TO classes, that only leaves room for one non-major and one course for her major. I mean there is not a lot of room in her schedule to take anything else.</p>

<p>To Columbia Student; I think the concern is if your D has an AP credit for scientific inquiry which could be shown with the AP transcript. IT will be easier for your D to get the classes right at orientation than have to change it later on account of AP credit. Could you ask USC if they will accept a copy/FAX of the AP transcript you have now and tell them you will send an official copy in July when all of the APs are listed?</p>

<p>mdcissp, great idea. I will tell her to call USC to ask directly. She did send them an email but received a very general reply.</p>