<p>How much are good AP scores and/or SAT IIS worth once you're into Columbia? I've looked around the Columbia website, but I can't find particularly detailed information. If you get a 600+ on a foreign language SAT II, can you skip a semester of foreign language? But do you then place into the next level of foreign language? Does a "5" on the BC Calc exam exempt you from a semester of math?</p>
<p>columbia's fairly stingy about actual credits, but less stingy about advanced placement. Some courses, if you get the AP, they let you take the advanced course, and if you do well in it (i.e. above a C), they give you the credits after your freshman year. However:</p>
<p>Because I kicked butt on so many APs, I got 15 credits - a semester's worth - of credits toward graduation, and it allowed me to take easier schedules rather than force myself through filler classes. In the end, this was a major stress reliever for me. In fact, I don't think I would've graduated with honors if I didn't have those credits to fall back on when I really needed to drop a class.</p>
<p>Off the top of my head I think I had:</p>
<p>Phys C Mech - 4
Phys C E&M - 4
Bio - 5
Chem - 5
Eng Lit - 5
Eng Lang - 5
Euro History - 5
US History - 5
BC Calc - 5
Music Theory - 4
Psychology - 4
(and one other i'm forgetting)</p>
<p>I think what I got out of that was:</p>
<p><em>checks my degree audit report</em></p>
<p>3 credits - Biology
6 credits - English (3 for each)
6 credits - History (3 for each)</p>
<p>in order to get the chem one, I would've had to have taken Organic Chem my first semester, which would've sucked. In order to get Physics, I would've had to have gotten 5's (which I didn't), and taken physics 2800, which is a criminally insane class. I don't think the Calc AP gets you credits, but i think it does get you advanced placement so you can finish the calc sequence faster. The thing is, sometimes it's better to do a semester of review and take it easy - credits are credits. Take 'em where you can, advanced placement isn't always the best idea.</p>
<p>I don't think columbia gives a hoot about your SAT2 scores after you're admitted. There are foreign language placement exams, however, and if you're really good at a language you can try to get out of it by rocking the exam during orientation. But they don't care about SAT2s.</p>
<p>That's pretty awesome :)</p>
<p>Denzera, do you know if the courses can count toward your major? I've taken US History and will take Euro History this year, so could I possibly use that to help me move further along?</p>
<p>you don't get any major-related credits for courses. the credits you get just count as "nontechnical electives" - even my Biology one.</p>
<p>keep in mind, i'm positive that CC has different requirements than SEAS did for me, so they may be more (or less) liberal with credits, placement, and requirements. but this should be a rough baseline. For one thing, if you didn't get a 5, it's almost not worth asking.</p>
<p>Wow, that kind of sucks. Oh well, at least I can maybe take more advanced courses upon my arrival. I'll investigate when I get there. Thanks for the info! </p>
<p>Yeah it's a good thing about the 5s...it'll keep me more motivated through the rest of the year.</p>