There is pretty widespread agreement (and growing consensus) that the AP classes are not the same as college classes. They are advanced high school classes. For students who attend college with the goal of taking advantage of everything a college has to offer, and stretching him/her self as much as possible, the best way to view APs are as good high school classes. Instead of “getting credit” for them and skipping additional opportunities to be educated, simply use them to start at a higher level or to ensure you are prepared for a college level class in that same topic. Shaving off a year by using AP credits seems to me to be cheating yourself of an entire year of college. Wouldn’t you want to be an entire year better at what you are doing?