If you have a ton of AP credit you may be able to start in the summer with some FYE requirements and accelerate the transition to major (T2M) by a semester (end of fall instead of end of spring). The T2M review is done at the end of every term but the rules aren’t always the same regarding guaranteed admission. On the flip side you can stay in FYE up to 4 semesters so you get more than 1 bite at the apple. Sometimes this is needed to get the preferred major–some kids, for example, don’t get aero the first try so try again the next semester. Others get denied on the first choice and pick something else. But >90% get their first choice.
This is quite dependent on the student and how confident he is in the topic. You’ll get varying input on which is better. Some will scream “take the credit and run!”. Others will note that a top engineering college STEM class is harder than a typical-college-course level of AP rigor.
I would say that for GenEd courses - take the AP credit. My kids took USH, World, Language, Gov etc. credit and have no regrets.
STEM is a bit of a mixed bag. My older was always borderline A/B (Honors) math. She had an AB score to place out but a 3 on BC. She decided to start in Calc I and, iirc, A- or B+, finding it much more challenging than high school. Same with Freshman Physics Vs. Physics C - glad she retook it.
My younger, on the other hand, is quite talented in these areas and earned an A+ in Honors Multivariate Calc and CS first semester. She took full AP credits for AB, BC, Physics C, Chem, etc - everything she could. But those aren’t as important to a CS major as an Engineering major.
So I guess that’s effectively “it depends”. 
It certainly will affect how much freedom/choice you have. Oldest had minimal useful credits to start, earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship, just 7 additional credits if done right, and needed 2 summer classes to fit it and the study abroad into the jammed 128 credit plan (Iirc, ME had one single “Free Elective”)
My older took all her AP/DE credit, started with a Junior classification and has 2 majors and 2 minors. 3 years would have been easy, or 4+1 BS/MS in 4, if she wanted to. So there can be financial benefits.
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Depends on the extent of the program. Overall, it’s strongly encouraged. I recall the Engineering Dean saying that his goal was to have every student have an abroad experience.
My older had a 2-week session planned in Japan, which required a 1 credit course as preparation and then a write up of findings/results. Arranging it was easy, though there is the cost. Unfortunately it was COVID cancelled (anyone want to buy some Yen 
), but the process was smooth.
One of her high school roommates set up for a full semester in Germany. COVID made a complete mess of it, but she registered, planned, travelled, started with no issues.
Most study abroad programs seem to be winter break, spring break, 3-4 weeks in May, and are popular. Full semesters abroad are widely available but I don’t think they are as widely used.
What an awesome resource CC is. I really appreciate the advice @momofboiler1 @mathlobstermom @RichInPitt and @Bookishmom
S23 has a decent aptitude for math and science but we will probably not seek to apply his APs for credits. He will however use as many as possible towards Hum/SS credits and a meaningful minor. If tuition remains frozen, there’s no hurry to graduate. Maybe this will leave time for more project oriented classes, which is the whole appeal of Purdue COE anyways.
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I agree on this- my son (math minor) had taken Calc 3 in HS with an easy A (which was not accepted for credit) so retook Calc 3 Honors at Purdue and struggled with it. He ended up with a B but it was not pretty- all of his friends from the HC dropped it mid semester as the average grade in his section was an F at midterms. Retaking math optionally at Purdue is not something I would recommend.
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where can I find Purdue Calc1 2 3 syllabus?
I don’t believe the syllabi are public but you can access the archived exams at: Purdue University: Department of Mathematics: Past Exam Archive
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This helps a lot. Thanks
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My student gets hers all through the student portal. That isn’t given on paper anymore.
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Thank you! This link is super helpful. My son will do these exams to see if he should use his AP credits
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The parent and family newsletter just shared a podcast with Purdue’s new president. If you are trying to make a decision about Purdue, it’s worth the listen: https://stories.purdue.edu/podcast/welcoming-president-mung-chiang/
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Keep in mind that the Math department grading system at Purdue is interesting.
At least Calc classes.
My son said his take-away was you have to be better than average on exams and do well in the recitation were they stack you up against your peers.
Here is an article from Purdue Exponent on the math department grading system.
Also, have your son look at this link.
The legendary ChenFlix!
See his past material at ChenFlix.
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As with most colleges, you pay a fixed amount for a full-time schedule per semester. If AP courses allow a student to graduate a semester or more early, you will save that money. Taking a lighter full-time course load, taking other electives, adding a major/minor, etc., with the freed up time will not save money.
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This is exactly why my D will prob take all her credits and run lol. She did Calc 3 and Linear Algebra at a local state college and is strong in math. My concern with repeating these is that I’ve seen too many examples of Calc being taught in huge classes almost as a weed-out experience, with punitive exams that are harsh for no real educational purpose. I think she’d prefer to avoid those!
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Anybody have any information on how deferrals will most likely be handled this year? The commitment was to let the deferred student know by March 31. Will Purdue let some deferred students know before then? My daughter is OOS and deferred for CS. I wonder how common it is to get off the deferral list? She did the LOCI.
My S22 heard for CS last year mid to late March. I remember he was the only one to report a deferral and then admit last cycle. He was OOS and he submitted his senior year grades.
Thank you for the feedback!
I don’t remember anyone in the RD round hearing before March 31 last year, but I could be wrong as my daughter was accepted EA. They may or may not handle deferrals differently, but I would set your expectations for March 31 regardless.
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RD decisions have previously rolled out in weekly/weekly-ish batches. Unlike Jan 15th EA decisions, there is no big release on March 31st. Your student can hear anytime between now and then.
Regarding deferrals, some have speculated that Purdue has increased deferrals because of the unexpected yield gained during COVID–they were caught off guard by the OOS acceptances who committed.(instate and international were within the forecast). But deferral at Purdue according to admissions is not the “soft reject” that it is at other schools.
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