<p>I've heard that Smith works hard to make sure everyone graduates in four years, but what is the official policy on accepting them?</p>
<p>My D was given a full year's credit (the max allowed) by Smith for her AP exams/classes, which would have allowed her to graduate in three years. (Instead, she took a leave of absence and did an independent semester abroad). </p>
<p>However, she is class of '06 and I have some impression that they have tightened the rules since her class. Many colleges have recently moved to accepting AP credits only for advanced placement, but not for advanced standing. (That is, they want your tuition for the full four years.)</p>
<p>I would check this out specifically with Smith's admissions department if you are a prospective, or with the registrar if you are a current Smithie.</p>
<p>You <em>will</em> graduate in four years, whether they give you AP credits or not. I think my D's were used for placement, not standing...though I think as many as 8 units can be used for standing. I wouldn't bet on that last, however...memory uncertain.</p>
<p>you can use up to 16 AP credits (so 4 classes) but there's a catch...you can only use them if you need to drop a Smith course due to medical/family emergency or if you're accelerating. Otherwise, they're just good for placement (and not even for placement in some things...for Spanish, you still have to take the placement test and it's probably the same in other departments). FYI, Smith accepts everything except Environmental Science but requires a 4 or a 5. I'm not positive about this, but I'm pretty sure that they count all the exams equally in case you want to accelerate; that is, Smith counts BC calc the same as Comparative Government, even though the College Board charges different amounts for each exam and considers the gov courses each "half an AP."</p>
<p>Does accelerating just mean graduating sooner than 4 years?
If you have 16 AP credits, can you still take 12 summer credits and perhaps a few J-term credits, allowing you to graduate in 3 years? </p>
<p>Actually, I'm just curious -- not thinking of doing it. :-)</p>
<p>according to the Class Deans' website:</p>
<p>Students may accrue a maximum of 12 approved summer school credits and 12 approved Interterm credits at Smith College or elsewhere toward their Smith degree, with an overall maximum of 32 credits of combined summer, Interterm, AP and other prematriculation credits. Normally, Interterm courses transfer for no more than 3 credits. Students may not take more than 4 credits during any one Interterm at Smith or elsewhere. An overall maximum of 64 total transfer credits may be applied to the degree.
Candidates for the Smith degree must complete at least four semesters of academic work, a minimum of 64 credits, in residence at Smith College in Northampton; two of these must be completed during the junior or senior year.</p>