Yeah but I'm from just above the border, so I can't be that different

I am aware that AP or IB courses can get you some credits in advance, but I didn't know you could get a full year ahead even if you complete that entire program. For example, I'm quite confident at my university all science or engineering programs require Calc II to be completed by the first year, or you might not be able get into all the second year courses required for your program. Yet at my school - and I imagine also at the other G13 universities here in Canada - you can't get AP credit for Calc II, hence making it impossible to completely skip a first year of studies. I'm sure there are plenty more examples that could apply here.