My son (who is an incoming freshman) just received his AP scores today, and he sent the report to Poly. How and when do they evaluate these scores relative to credits toward your degree and the fall quarter schedule? I am particularly interested in the Calculus BC exam credits. He scored a 5, and would be eligible to skip straight to Calc 3, but he is considering taking Calc 2. Will someone in the academic advising department be contacting him to evaluate his options, or do they just assume that you want to go to Calc 3? Same question on Physics C - Mechanics, where he scored a 4.
They’ll place him straight into Calc 3 and offer him a slot in the honors section. He should do both with one caveat. Have him get old syllabi and tests, both midterms and finals from 1 and 2 and bone up on the material he’s expected to have mastered, especially series. He’ll do fine unless the tests seem totally foreign to him (which they won’t). The same applies to Physics. He’ll be placed into 2.
My son took this same route with the same scores and it’s been a HUGE advantage for him. Being ahead isn’t about graduating early, which is possible, but really, unless you’re financially strapped, why? It’s about flexibility and lessening the load when appropriate.
Wish him luck!
BTW, if he can’t find old tests vis Google, have him call the department and explain why he wants them and they’ll oblige. My son found math but has to get physics from the department.