<p>As an engineer, which classes are the most useful to retake? Which AP's would you take credit for?</p>
<p>A lot depends on your school. In general, follow the recommendations of your school. Usually, getting a score of 5 points to skipping ahead if allowed by the school, while getting a score of 3 is probably best retaken if it is a core requirement of the major (math or physics, or chemistry for chemical engineering). Retaking a 5 that the school allows skipping ahead is usually only worthwhile in an honors course or something where you may learn something new.</p>
<p>AP Calculus is so common among engineering students that many schools have specific recommendations based on your score (or even special accelerated courses for those who come in with AP Calculus credit), or may have sample freshman calculus final exams for you to try to determine the most appropriate placement.</p>
<p>Usually just Calc, Physics and Chem. I usually give the advice of this:</p>
<p>If you get a 5 on AB Calc or 4 on BC Calc, just go ahead and retake calc 1 since it couldnt hurt</p>
<p>If you get a 5 on BC Calc, just retake calc 2 since start into calc 3 can be tough. plus you’ll be ahead anyway. </p>
<p>If you get a 4/5 on Physics, just go ahead and move on the the next section (usually E and M) unless you feel that you want to redo mechanics</p>
<p>and If you get a 4/5 on Chem, just go ahead and retake it for the easy grade unless you really feel the need to skip it. Usually not a good idea since it makes freshmen year that much harder but do to suit yourself</p>
<p>I think the followings can be killed regardless of your engineering major:</p>
<ol>
<li>AP Chemistry (engineers have to take at least one semester, and the general chemistry is usually lighter than that of AP Chemistry)</li>
<li>AP English (you should kill it if you have the chance - not necessary. Some people hate writing, so kill it ASAP, and you don’t have to take freshman composition - but probably not writing for engineers).</li>
<li>AP History (could be US History, Global History, Political Science & Government - to get rid of some of your liberal art requirements)</li>
<li>AP Calculus AB, BC (if you have the chance kill BC, which usually mean you can go straight to calculus III)</li>
</ol>
<p>I strongly advice people not to waste time on AP Physics. IMO, you are better off studying Physics at college. If you have taken high school physics, you should not have problem with your first semester of physics.</p>
<hr>
<p>Last, but not the least, two more courses:</p>
<p>AP Senior Fun. Take this course. Stop being a nerd all the way.
AP Senior Anti-Seniorities - this is bundled with the previous one.</p>
<p>If you are a senior… if you are a junior it’s okay… just don’t overload yourself.</p>
<p>If you’re a ChemE major and need to take biology (but have no interest in biochemical engineering), AP Bio is great to get out of that. </p>
<p>I also found Calc III to be quite easy after getting a 5 on BC Calc, so I recommend that as well (it would probably be worth retaking at least Calc II if you get a 4 on BC though). </p>
<p>And I agree with jwxie about skipping as many humanities as you can, just to free up your schedule. </p>
<p>Definitely retake Chem and Physics.</p>
<p>Usually, there is no need to retake chemistry if it is only a peripheral requirement, or if it just fulfills “N additional credits of approved lab science requirement”. There is more reason to retake chemistry if it is a core requirement for the major (e.g. for chemical engineering and perhaps bioengineering or materials engineering).</p>
<p>For physics, only AP Physics C has even the possibility of being accepted, and sometimes only for mechanics.</p>