<p>All right, so I've been doing research online and reading the Undergraduate Announcement, etc., but I'm still unsure on the topic of AP credit. If you have AP credit but do not want advanced standing, can you use your AP credit to reduce your course load during a given semester? I'm going for a BSE, so taking 4 courses a semester instead of 5 would be so nice...</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Advanced placement cannot be used to make up course deficiencies or to reduce the course load during a given semester.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/catalog/ua/06/032.htm%5DSource%5B/url">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/catalog/ua/06/032.htm]Source[/url</a>].</p>
<p>I'm kind of wondering if I should even bother TAKING the AP tests I'm signed up for. Currently I'm signed up to take AP Spanish Lit, AP English Lit, AP Calc BC, and AP Bio. I don't think I particularly want advanced standing in calculus (actually, I definitely don't, I'm horrible at math). For Spanish, I'm taking the IB HL test, which would (maybe) give me the same 'advanced standing?' There is the same scenario with English. I might take AP Bio to help me review for IB Bio, but right now I'm taking 4 APs and 5 IB exams (which have 1-3 'papers' or sessions) and that's a lot of conflicting stressful testing in a short period of time. </p>
<p>I just feel like I shouldn't bother studying for an AP test if I'm taking an IB exam in the same subject and it won't really help me out that much. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I'm wondering what the benefit of taking the AP English Lit exam is. I can see how it might help if you're an English major, but does it really help you if you're majoring anything else? Doesn't it only allow you to take a higher english course in order to fufill the core requirements? I guess it is kind of nice to take a harder class, especially if it is more interesting, but besides that I'm not sure.</p>
<p>j07,</p>
<p>No matter what, you should take the AP exams themselves, since you (presumably) committed to taking them on your application. However, as to the question of whether to study for them, it depends on the subject. For those subjects that are dead-ends to you, studying isn't worthwhile. If, however, you wish to pursue a subject during your freshman year, there are two reasons that it might be helpful to study for both the AP and IB. First, greater studying will give you a stronger foundation to start with come fall, which might give you an edge. Second, in choosing courses, you might want to start at an advanced level: since you have to get your schedule cleared by your advisor, and apparently some advisors are strict about what they permit you to take, showing evidence of strong performance will be more likely to ensure you get consent for your desired schedule.</p>
<p>kraor,</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, AP English Lit is frowned upon by many college english departments. See, for instance, here[/url</a>] and especially [url=<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25693-2005Feb15.html%5Dhere%5B/url%5D:">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25693-2005Feb15.html]here:</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
There was one college course, however, that several readers, both students and professors, said was often better than the AP alternative. That was writing. The two AP English courses, one in language and composition and one in literature, do not focus on writing as much as the freshman composition courses that some colleges insist on to spare graders of papers and exams from gibberish. This is the one instance where even some big universities try to keep the classes small, so the instructors have time to tear down and rebuild the typically vague, verbose and vacuous essays of 18 year olds.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's why Princeton refuses to grant exemptions from the freshman writing seminar. Moreover, according to the AP</a> table, the university has no equivalent course to AP English. Which means that it won't allow you to take more advanced english classes than any other freshman could take.</p>
<p>So, in effect, there is absolutely no benefit to taking AP English Lit in terms of what you can do once you get to Princeton. Again, as noted above, a poor performance on it might make your advisor skeptical of your ability to start with 300-level classes, but otherwise it's a nonfactor except for early graduation.</p>
<p>I would take the AP spanish test, as placing out of a language really opens up space in your schedule (and you are still free to take intro language classes if you want). From what I've heard the AP tests are easier than the IB, plus its 2 chances to place out which might be useful. There is NO reason to take the english classes, unless you are trying for advanced standing, at which point you may need them. You will be required to take writing seminar regardless of your score, and there is no sequence in the english department, so you can start at whatever level you'd like regardless of AP score. You also don't ever have to take an english class, unless you are an english major. Plenty of other departments offer classes that fulfill the same distribution. Depending on your major it may be useful to take the science aps, if you are an engineer it is definitely useful</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>So I noticed that the AP table says the recommended placement for someone who got a 5 on the AP lit exam is English 200, 201, 202, 203, or 205. But you said there is no benefit... does that mean freshmen usually take english classes on the 200 level even without AP credit?</p>
<p>
[quote]
No matter what, you should take the AP exams themselves, since you (presumably) committed to taking them on your application.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>uhh I hope this doesn't matter THAT much, because I assumed when it asked for the exams we planned to take that it was simply asking for our plans, which were not definite yet... for example, I put down government and now I'm not taking it because it's not even on Princeton's AP table. I really just didn't want to pay the $70 or whatever to take a test that wouldn't help me in any way. I'm still taking 4 others though.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So I noticed that the AP table says the recommended placement for someone who got a 5 on the AP lit exam is English 200, 201, 202, 203, or 205. But you said there is no benefit... does that mean freshmen usually take english classes on the 200 level even without AP credit?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>According to the</a> UA, 100 level english offerings barely exist:</p>
<p>
[quote]
ENG 131 Shakespeare \ Not offered this year LA
An introduction to the plays of Shakespeare as literary, dramatic, and cultural texts. The aim is to rediscover Shakespeare in his own time, while also knowing him as our contemporary: a maker of our culture and a continuing source of pleasure. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Staff</p>
<p>ENG 132 Comparative American Literatures \ Not offered this year LA
An introduction to the cross-cultural study of American literatures, with special attention to the multiple points of connection, conflict, dialogue, and exchange that characterize American writings. Texts may be drawn from a broad range of periods, regions, and cultures. One lecture, two classes. Staff
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
uhh I hope this doesn't matter THAT much, because I assumed when it asked for the exams we planned to take that it was simply asking for our plans, which were not definite yet... for example, I put down government and now I'm not taking it because it's not even on Princeton's AP table. I really just didn't want to pay the $70 or whatever to take a test that wouldn't help me in any way. I'm still taking 4 others though.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I was speaking of it more as an ethical matter. Princeton reviewed your application and accepted you on the basis of the information you provided, part of which included your senior year AP plans. While I'm sure they won't mind if you depart from this a little, it just seems right to me that you follow through on what you committed to, at least to the extent that you can. Not taking an exam that you said you would probably take simply because it doesn't seem worthwhile or is inconvenient seems like a breach of commitment, however innocuous.</p>
<p>Don't worry about not taking the exam- I didn't take my english or my history ap exams-- they are accepting you for taking the class, its silly to spend >$80 on an exam when you will get no benefit for you. English placement varies a lot, I don't know of any english class that has any prerequisites, there were plenty of freshmen in my 300 level english class last semester.</p>
<p>what about AP PSYCHOLOGY? the test isn't on the ap table thing on the website. does anyone know?</p>
<p>Princeton doesn't officially accept credit for the AP psychology course. I believe this is because the course, as taught, often fails to cover the material at the breadth and depth covered at college (or, more cynically, to ensure a high enrollment in psych 101). I suggest that you email [email=<a href="mailto:osherson@princeton.edu">osherson@princeton.edu</a>]the departmental representative and ask about what options you might have, but I suspect you'll still have to take the intro class if you want to advance further in the subject.</p>
<p>what does "one unit" of credit mean? </p>
<p>also, if i'm going to be an english major, and DON'T take the AP Lit (i will though), I would have no chance of getting into a 300 level course ? </p>
<p>Most freshmen are in 200-205?</p>
<p>
[quote]
what does "one unit" of credit mean?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
5. Advanced placement can be used to reduce the number of terms needed for graduation, provided that the student is eligible for advanced standing. Eligibility depends upon the number and the subject areas of the advanced placement units presented by the student. An advanced placement unit is the equivalent of one Princeton course, except in foreign language, where the maximum number of advanced placement units is two, regardless of the number of Princeton courses that are replaced. Students may apply for advanced standing under the following conditions:
a) Candidates for the A.B. degree who have eight advanced placement units (equivalent to eight Princeton courses) will be eligible to apply for one year of advanced standing. These eight units must be distributed in at least three subject areas. (Subject areas are defined as foreign languages; historical analysis; literature and the arts; quantitative reasoning; science and technology; social analysis.)
b) Candidates for the A.B. degree who have four advanced placement units (equivalent to four Princeton courses) in at least two subject areas will be eligible to apply for one term of advanced standing.
c) Candidates for the B.S.E. degree who have eight advanced placement units, among them two in physics, two in mathematics, and one in either chemistry or computer science, will be eligible for a full year of advanced standing.
d) Candidates for the B.S.E. degree who have four advanced placement units, including two in physics, one in mathematics, and one in chemistry or computer science, will be eligible for one term of advanced standing.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/catalog/ua/032.htm%5DSource%5B/url">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/catalog/ua/032.htm]Source[/url</a>]</p>
<p>
[quote]
also, if i'm going to be an english major, and DON'T take the AP Lit (i will though), I would have no chance of getting into a 300 level course ? </p>
<p>Most freshmen are in 200-205?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As noted earlier, you can almost certainly begin with any English course you'd like (within reason, of course). There are many freshmen who take english classes other than 200-205, so you'd be in good company as well.</p>
<p>Does anyone happen to know if it's possible to take an AP/SAT II test to test out of courses (for example... EEB 211/foreign language) once you're already enrolled (freshman)? Or do you have to take them while in HS?</p>
<p>You can take a 300 level English class a freshman. However, to major in English, you have to take either 200, 201, 202, or 203 in addition to 205 to enter the department. The 5 on the lit test doesn't get you out of either of those two requirements.</p>
<p>And for AP Psych, the department does not take the credit. Even if you get a 5, you still have to take 101.</p>