<p>After talking to a few people while visiting on Monday, it seems like it would be pointless for me to take AP classes for placement reasons (what I'd be worried about; never ye mind about advanced standing).</p>
<p>Can anyone confirm/deny/qualify this conclusion? 'Cause let me tell you, I'd jump at a chance to save $568 on AP testing (wallet: <em>wince</em>), but I don't want to miss any opportunities either.</p>
<p>APs are 90% pointless at Harvard (assuming you've ruled out advanced standing). The only hard exception I can think of are language APs (5 will pass you out of the language requirement).</p>
<p>That said, getting an AP score for Math definitely makes placement easier (if you have a 5 on AB, it's pretty clear that you should take Math 1b, or 5 on BC -> Math 21a). Similarly, having a 5 on Econ makes skipping Ec10 a bit more of a no-brainer. Finally, math + physics AP scores are accepted by some med schools... so could be useful if you'd rather not take those classes at Harvard, but do want to apply to med school.</p>
<p>Does a 5 on AP Lit and Comp or Lang. and Comp get you out of any classes or fulfill the Literature A part of core?</p>
<p>Nope. I believe it counts for Advanced Standing - but be sure to double check.</p>
<p>There has to be this information on Harvard's website, that's where the most reliable info will be.</p>
<p>Advising</a> Programs: Advanced Placement and Advanced Standing</p>
<p>"Using A.P. Exams for Placement or to Meet Requirements</p>
<p>Credit toward graduation is granted for Advanced Placement examinations only if the student activates Advanced Standing, but advanced placement work is acknowledged in a variety of other ways. For example, a score of 5 on an AP exam often satisfies the prerequisite for middle- or upper-level departmental courses, permitting a student to begin advanced work early in his or her college career. Whether or not a student accepts Advanced Standing, a score of 5 on the German, French (language or literature), Italian, Spanish (language or literature), or Latin (either Latin Literature or Latin: Vergil) Advanced Placement tests may be used to fulfill the language requirement. A score of 7 on a higher-level International Baccalaureate exam in certain languages may also be used to fulfill the language requirement. Most medical schools accept a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC exam as fulfillment of their math requirement, but only the score of 5 will count towards Advanced Standing eligibility. Students planning to come to Harvard are accordingly encouraged to study the following information carefully and to take all College Board Advanced Placement Examinations that are appropriate."</p>
<p>"Harvard offers no credit toward Advanced Standing for the following Advanced Placement examinations: Art (Studio & Portfolio), Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science A, Environmental Science, Human Geography, International English, U.S. Government and Politics; or any other not listed for credit on the following page.</p>
<p>A score of 5 on the following College Board Advanced Placement examinations may earn one full credit toward eligibility:</p>
<p>Art (History)
Biology
Calculus BC1
Chemistry
Economics (micro and macro)
English (literature and composition)2
French (language)3 French (literature)3
German (language)
History (United States)
History (European)
Italian (language and culture)
Physics B4
Spanish (language)3
Spanish (literature)3
A score of 5 on the following College Board Advanced Placement examinations may earn one half credit toward eligibility:
Calculus AB (or Calc AB subscore)1
Computer Science AB
Economics (micro)
Economics (macro)
English (language and composition)2
Latin Literature
Latin: Vergil Music (theory)5
Music (listening and literature)5
Physics C (E&M)4
Physics C (Mechanics)4
Psychology
Statistics
The following College Board Advanced Placement examinations may NOT be used for eligibility:
Art (Studio and Portfolio)
Comparative Government and Politics
Computer Science A
Environmental Science
Human Geography
International English
United States Government and Politics."</p>
<p>"
Footnotes</p>
<p>1 Students may earn a maximum of one credit in calculus. Please note that the Calculus AB subscore (of the Calculus BC exam) is considered the same exam as the separate Calculus AB exam, and one may not receive credit for both the AB exam and the AB subscore.
2 Students may earn a maximum of one credit in English.
3 One full credit will be granted for either the language or literature exam but not for both.
4 Students may earn a maximum of one credit in physics.
5 Students may earn a maximum of one credit in music, whether by AP exams or by the Harvard Placement exam in Music (harmony)."</p>