Should I retake the AP Calculus BC exam before I transfer to Berkeley?

<p>I am currently in high school [Junior], but I have been taking classes at my community college since my Sophomore year. Due to personal, financial, and educational reasons, I am dropping out of highschool to go straight to the community college next year when I will also apply as a transfer student to UCB, UCSB, and UCSD. Therefore, this is my last year to take AP exams.</p>

<p>When I was a sophomore, I took the AP Calculus BC exam and score a 4, giving me credit for two semesters of calculus at my local community college. Since then, I have taken [or am currently enrolled in] Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and one year of calculus-based physics.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, UC Berkeley required a score of 5 on the AP test to get out of Calculus 1 and 2, and I only scored a 4. By the time I transfer, I will have also taken Multivariable Calculus, Intro to Discrete Math, and Modern Physics.</p>

<p>My question is: will UC Berkeley make me retake Calculus 2 even though I have obviously mastered its content [as seen in the grades of my post-calculus classes] because of my 4 on the AP test? I still have time to register for the exam this year [to get a 5] but I am living under significant financial hardship and would really like to avoid this.</p>

<p>Please let me know if you guys have any insight in this. Thank you!</p>

<p>Well first off you are definitely in a unique situation. I would guess that if you drop out of h.s. and go to CC, then you cannot apply as a freshman and would be considered a transfer student. To clarify, you would need at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units if you go that route. </p>

<p>So if you still want to do that, yes, UCB will make you take the classes. You do not have the credit. So you have 2 options</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Take the AP exam again this year. Do not drop out until next year. You will still have h.s. status. I don’t know how it is in California, but if you do not take senior english, you will not get your diploma (long story…graduated top 10% of my class, had a 4.1, screwed around in English, got an F, and they didn’t let me walk at graduation). I am pretty sure you have all your other classes. You would have to take english at night or in the summer to get your h.s. diploma if you drop out. You won’t have a guarantee that you will get a 5 though. </p></li>
<li><p>Take calc 2 at your community college next year. It won’t be hard, but it would be a time commitment, and it would suck. But you might learn something you didn’t know. There is a reason you got a 4 and not a 5. If that’s the only class you need, then make sure to take them fall of next year (or summer) and your application will be solid when you apply for Fall of 2014. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>It’s not that bad. I am in your same shoes kinda. I am already to transfer, but looked up UC schools and engineering majors won’t take my Physics AB exam grade. So here I am with Calc III done, Physics 2 Done (the E/M part) from another university… but I am taking Mechanics right now since my score won’t transfer. It’s easy, and I expect an A…so think of it as a g.p.a booster. </p>

<p>good luck!</p>