<p>I've seen on many threads people saying how helpful it is to have as many credits as you can before going into Michigan but AP credits only count as elective credits..</p>
<p>Can someone explain exactly how AP credits "make things easier" other than just paying the junior/senior tuition sooner?</p>
<p>Is it only because they let you get out of prereqs?</p>
<p>Speaking generally, let us say that normally you need to take 15 credits a semester. If you have many electvie credits, perhaps then you only have to take 12 credits a semester for a tough semester. Or if you need to drop a class, you will still have enough credits to graduate. Or if you change majors, you may still be able to graduate on time. </p>
<p>@bopper Ohh I see what you mean now, thanks. So you don’t have to take as many extra classes basically alright</p>
<p>Some AP credits can be counted towards GS and required introductory courses too. So if you have those credits for introductory courses, the advance placement will help you to skip the introductory level courses and start at the next level. Fulfilling electives/GS with AP credits are also a good idea. You just don’t want to have excessive AP credits that do not help your required courses placement and surpassed the electives/GS requirement that would do nothing other than bringing you to upperclassman tuition rate sooner.</p>
<p>Is there any advantage/disadvantage (other than higher tuition) of early junior status? My S should have 9-10 scores that qualify for credits, although may want to retake a couple of the classes at Michigan. Can you pick and choose which ones you want credit for?</p>
<p>You get to register earlier for classes (for the second semester and onwards). The more credits you have the earlier your appointment time, so your son will get earlier pickings than his peers that came in with only a few credits. </p>
<p>I believe you can forfeit the AP credits you don’t want anytime before you register for second term classes. You can’t register and then forfeit after that since you will already have “abused” your earlier registration time from having those extra credits. This is what I’ve been told by my advisor last year, but I’m not sure what the official policy is.</p>