I just realized that my son will be paying the extra differential tuition for engineering in the spring semester of his Sophomore year because of unusable AP credits. This is because many of the AP credits that UMD awards do not count at all toward his engineering major. In other words, they give chemistry and physics credit for the classes that an engineer cannot actually use to graduate. (Engineers have to take higher level introductory science classes than are being awarded.) But these unusable credits still count toward the 60 credit “junior” threshold for the much higher tuition differential for engineers, business majors, and computer science majors. If you applying to UMD in these majors, be careful which scores you send to UMD because it may eventually cost $1400 per semester extra that you are considered a “junior” or “senior.” Keep in mind that I am all in favor of AP credits that go towards someone’s major. It is these other unusable classes that UMD is awarding that can really cost a lot of money for nothing.
Hmm, interesting observation.
However, just want to point out a couple things. Classes (AP credit equivalents) that are not usable toward one’s major can often fulfill gen ed credits, so it’s not necessarily a waste. So, look carefully at the chart here http://www.transfercredit.umd.edu/APGenEd.pdf and look at the Gen Ed column to see what you can use to free up your schedule. (I mean other than the low level chemistry/physics which i agree isn’t helpful for engineers since the DSNL and DSNS are fulfilled by the major requirements anyway)
There are some advantages to having more credits since
a) priority for class scheduling times is given based on credit hours - so the more you have, the earlier you register for classes
b) you could become eligible for some honors in your second year because you technically have junior standing due to more credits.