Does Completing AP Comp Sci Provide Benefits for 100-Level Courses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of completing AP Computer Science in relation to receiving credits for 100-level Computer Science courses at a prospective university. Participants explore whether the credits serve a practical purpose beyond contributing to total graduation requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the university grants 3 credits for completing AP Comp. Sci., but questions the utility of these credits since first-year courses are worth 4 credits.
  • Another participant suggests that the 3 credits might exempt students from taking the course or provide general credits that do not exempt them, indicating variability depending on university policies.
  • A participant expresses a personal decision not to take the AP course, citing confidence in their programming skills and a lack of concern about accumulating enough credits.
  • One participant recommends contacting the university for clarification on the exemption policy regarding the course.
  • A later reply confirms that the university indicated the AP course provides general credits, but the implications of this remain unclear to the participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of the AP Comp. Sci. credits, with some believing they may lead to exemptions while others feel they are merely general credits. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific benefits of these credits.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the interpretation of the credits may depend on specific university policies, which can vary widely.

Hypercubes
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I found out that my prospective university grants 3 credits for 100-level Comp. Sci. courses for completing AP Comp. Sci. However, all first-year courses are worth four credits. Does this serve any purpose then, besides just having it count for your total required credits for graduation?
 
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It may mean that you are exempt from having to take the course but they only give you 3 credits instead of 4 so they make more money. Or it could mean that you don't get credit for taking the course but you get 3 "general" credits (i.e. you still may have to take the course but you have some credit that helps you towards your degree). It all depends on the university. I have had the latter happen to me and it sucks but oh well. It just means that you have an easier time with the course :)
 
Yeah, I think it's the latter. Since I don't think I'll be having any trouble getting enough credits, and I already know some programming I think I'm not going to take the AP course.

Thank you for the answer.
 
If I were you I would send an email to the university. If you can get exempt from the course it may be worth it.
 
I already did. They said it just provided general credits, I just wasn't sure what that implied.
 

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