Should I re-take Calc 1 (MATH 124) and/or Computer Science 1 (CSE 142) that I earned AP credits for?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

I am going to the University of Washington next year and I have been informed (by UW unofficial transcript) that I have passed my AP Calculus BC test (3, AB subscore 4) to get college credit in the class MATH 124 and I have passed my AP Computer Science A test (4) to get college credit in the class CSE 142.

I am planning to major in CS which is very hard to get admitted in UW (3.5-4.0 college GPA needed). Also, my high school is not very good (50% have free and reduced lunch). It’s the first year my high school had AP computer science.

I have talked to some UW students and some of them recommended that I retake CSE 142 in college because I would learn/improve coding style and to avoid the competition that students taking CSE 143 (the class after CSE 142) in Autumn quarter (which is the hardest quarter because all the freshmen in that class has coding experience and/or passed the AP test). Of course, retaking a “easy” course seems like a waste of time. Of course I may not retake the course but take CSE 143 in Winter quarter instead.

As of math, retaking MATH 124 (Calc 1) may be worth it but I don’t want to deal with redoing limits and f(x+h) - f(x) / h and other shit because its too tedious and easy. Retaking it may strengthen my foundation and yes, freshman students in MATH 125 in Autumn quarter are guaranteed to have passed an AP test (or IB, or A levels).

I may be overthinking on this entire situation.

2

You may consider CSE 143x. It is a fast-paced combination of CSE142/143. You will get some review of CSE 142. The course is only for 140 students and the lecturer has a very high rating. I would not retake Math124. This way you will be done with CSE pre-req faster.

3

Why not just take some OCW to refresh/hone those skills? That way, you aren’t damaging your GPA, and you can take as much or as little as you want.

Check out these links:

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

http://oyc.yale.edu/

I am sure you can find something there that will do the trick.

4

@SingleChild Now is it too late to sign up for the course? Its 2 months after the survey found in the link was posted.

5

As of today there were only 21 people signed up for 140 spots. It is not too late. In fact, you can change your classes online anytime even after your orientation. if you change your mind.
http://www.washington.edu/students/timeschd/AUT2015/cse.html

6

email the departmental advisor.