<p>I took AP calculus AB so I could score out of taking Calculus I in college, but many of the college counselors suggest doing calculus I again. I aced AP calculus in high school, but I'm worried that College is a whole different ball game. At the same time I don't want to pay for a class that I already have credit for. I also don't want to fail miserably in Calc II. I was wondering if I could get a consensus of people who have skipped Calc I. What topics did you generally start with? Was it a difficult transition?</p>
<p>For some Background information... I'm going to the University of Maine (Orono) for ChemE (I'm a little nervous about the course load for ChemE as well), but I'd also love to hear from people in other engineering programs.</p>
<p>Ask around to see how hard the calc I class is at your school; if your school is a "weeder" school, then calc I would probably be your best bet but if your school is kinder to the pre-engineering kids, then I think you're safe to go on to calc II.</p>
<p>Unless you've really retained the information, or have reviewed over the summer, I'd take Calc I again (especially since the school recommended it). There are some differences between the AP course and college courses. I ended up taking a combined Calc I&II course my freshman year (a 5 credit accelerated one) and I'm glad I had the review. There were things I had not learned in my AP course, and things I learned in the AP course that were not covered until Calc III.</p>
<p>In all my college math courses, there was maybe one day of review before jumping right in to new material. No time to have forgotten the basics at all.</p>
<p>It really depends. For example, at my school, our teacher is pretty tough and trains us well, so even people in my class that didn't do so well in her class (they got low to mid Bs, which isn't terrible, but clearly not genius level either) said that when they sat in during a college visit and took a test for the calculus class, they got 100% without really trying, but our tests in class were much harder. I'm sure also that there are some schools where AP calc is a joke and people get crushed on the AP test and in college, so it goes both ways. </p>
<p>Also, it really depends on you. Do you think that you will remember what you learned in calc 1 even if its a year or two ago, or are you the type that forgets things easily? If you're the later, then maybe you should retake it, after all, it is an easy A right? From what I hear about chem E, you can use all the grade inflation you can get. I think though that if you got a 4 or 5 (I'm guessing you got a 5 since you said you aced it) and can remember easily, or can at least recall stuff fast, then you can skip it.</p>
<p>When I Ta'ed Calc 2 in my undergrad, So many students, went right into Calc 2, had to retake it due to failing it. The second time they took it they failed it again. Only now having to really go back to calc 1 and then taking calc 2 again. </p>
<p>It happens to alot of kids, these AP credits are pretty worthless. I really recommend you take the calc 1 over.</p>
<p>Plus you will make more engineering buddies along the way, if you start out where everybody else is.</p>
<p>I only got a four on the AP exam, and I was definitely wondering about the material that would be covered. That was my greatest worry. A big problem is that both classes are at really bad times of the day (bad meaning I can't learn well at those times). One is at eight in the Morning and one is at eight at night. I will have to adapt of course, but the imput is really what I need. Thanks :D.</p>