<p>I am trying to decide whether or not I want to take the AP English test. My dilemma isn't that I think I will do poorly, but is instead that I am unsure if I would use the credit. By the way, I am an admitted student through ED II, so this isn't just hypothetical. I always hear that the writing in college, both in amount and critique, is more rigorous than in highschool. Therefore, I am unsure if I should take the test because I think English 1, or Expository Writing, will be a good start for college writing since it is a required intro class. To current or former students, how helpful was English 1 as an intro to college writing? Is it a beneficial course?</p>
<p>bump.....anyone?</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a current sophomore at Tufts. To answer your question--the quality of the class varies with the professor. So I would suggest going to tuftsreviews.com or ratemyprofessor to do a bit of homework before deciding on an English 1 class.</p>
<p>My English 1 class seemed much more rigorous than other English 1 classes. My friends would often seem shocked when I told them how much work (i.e. writing/reading) I had to for the class.</p>
<p>I don't know if it is necessarily essential to take English 1 to improve your writing skills. After all, you still have to take English 2 (or Intro to Philosophy). And either of those classes will also demand a fair amount of writing practice.</p>
<p>Even if you place out of the freshman writing English classes, you can still take one if you so choose and drop it if it isn't what you thought it would be.</p>
<p>Personally, my Expository writing class was beneficial as a course. But it was a pain, because I (along with other students in the class) felt that we had much more work than those in other freshman expos classes. I came to Tufts from a subpar high school, and I felt quite inferior. I felt as though everyone else was much more advanced in their writing skills. So for me, personally, it was beneficial to have time to practice my writing.</p>
<p>One negative aspect about the particular class-- the professor was very skeptical of giving out As. ;) Also, if you place out, it frees up a course. And having even one extra requirement out of the way really helps to allow you to discover other areas of interest. </p>
<p>Okay, I don't know how much help I was but good luck in your choice. :)</p>
<p>thanks....anyone else?</p>
<p>My AP Eng Lang teacher basically said if this AP gets you out of it, take it! She told my class that Eng 1 serves as a way to make sure that everyone is at the same writing level, and that all of us were more than capable writers who shouldn't be taking that class if we didn't have to.</p>
<p>My personal opinion on APs is to take them. Tufts accepts almost all APs, and since this one can get you out of a madatory class, it frees up your electives.</p>
<p>I'm all for placing out of classes, but I think it's good to take some sort of class that gives you an introduction to college writing. I placed out of English 1 and went into English 2, and while I didn't learn a whole lot, mainly because of my crazy professor, the class gave me more of a sense of what other professors are looking for in students' papers. I would still take the APs but I think that English 1/2/Intro to Philosophy classes have some worth.</p>
<p>Assuming I get a 4 or a 5, I was still planning on taking English 2 or Intro to Philosophy. The reason I wasn't to avoid English 1 is because from what I have heard it is heavily grade deflated. Is this true? Also, is English 2 more stylistic or grammatic, or in other words what is the aim of the course? Thanks</p>
<p>I am a senior at Tufts and when it comes to APs, I feel like it really depends. There is a temptation to apply all the aps you can so you free up your schedule, and in some cases I could not agree more. However, I would really recommend only applying your APs in areas you do not plan to major in. For example, if I were to major in chem, I wouldn't apply AP chem. I know that seems dumb but frankly things are taught differently in different high schools and colleges and you don't want to find yourself in a bad situation. Ultimately I would not make a decision now. You don't sign up for courses until you get here and you have already had a meeting with your advisor. English 1 really really differs depending on the prof. This goes for English 2 as well. There is no general grading guideline so there is no prediction for grade inflation or deflation. English 2 has several themes you can choose from (for example some focus on film, others on family, etc).
You still have to take English 2 if you only get a 4. I took English 1 and got an A so I passed out of English 2. Same difference. English 1 does focus on writing, but I wouldnt say that other classes dont. Pretty much in most of the Liberal Artsy types of freshman classes you will have some focus on writing. I really loved having a very small class as a first semester freshman with others in my same situation (I didn't do an exploration or perspective advising option).
There are major pros and cons to passing out and not. But wait until you meet your advisor and really assess what you want to do before making up your mind. One approach is not applicable for everyone.</p>
<p>dreamala, that was very helpful.! =)</p>