DS is applying to the Academy and we are cautiously optimistic about his chances for appointment. I'm wondering how his AP credits will apply toward an engineering degree. He's taken 12 AP courses in total and received mostly 5s a few 4s. At the local public university he could conceivably complete a EE degree in 2 years by applying his AP courses for core courses and freshman and sophomore science/math. I've checked out the Academy suggested course schedule for EE and it appears he can receive AP credit for 8 of the 10 freshman courses listed. Has anyone had experience with this? I assume there are a considerable number of applicants from past years who were in a similar situation regarding AP credit.
AP Credit and Engineering at USAFA
- Thread starter Nanosour
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Your DS may not receive credit directly. If he has scored well enough on the AP exams, he may be able to validate several of the freshman courses, which just means he can take higher level courses his first year. He will still have four years of academics.
See pages 28 - 30 in last year's appointee book: https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/2023_Appointee_Booklet.pdf
See pages 28 - 30 in last year's appointee book: https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/2023_Appointee_Booklet.pdf
AP classes and Academy classes may be different in difficulty. Although you may be able to validate make sure it's the right move. My DS could have taken the second level calculus class but choose to relearn through the professors at the academies just to make sure he had the right foundational skills. And with the intensity of doolie year being in a ton of higher-level classes may just be added stress. Just food for thought.
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As @Capri120 stated, the student would still have a 4-year experience. Validation, transfer credits, and AP Exams could lead to USAFA course credit. A friend of mine suffered an injury early in BCT and was rolled back 1 year. During his year, he spent the time at a civilian college. With his transfer credits, he could have chosen either a lighter academic load (I believe 15 credit hours is still a minimum), or you could take the normal load and double major. He double-majored.
Congrats on the 5's. Understand some courses at USAFA offer validation exams and are available to all students, regardless of prior AP test result history. These validation exams are conducted at USAFA, and occur after the start of BCT.
Congrats on the 5's. Understand some courses at USAFA offer validation exams and are available to all students, regardless of prior AP test result history. These validation exams are conducted at USAFA, and occur after the start of BCT.
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Separate from your question, I am a professor at a pretty good technical university and we have lots of students who come in with strong AP backgrounds but NOBODY, I repeat NOBODY that I've seen is graduating with a BSEE because they bring 12 APs with them. Twelve courses might equal one year for the majority of the EEs that I've seen but certainly not 2 years. Since the typical Engineering student is now taking 5 years to a BS, getting out in two years is mind blowing. I've had lots of students who take three or four years AFTER transferring in with an Associates with good grades on top of strong APs.
That is only a recommendation. The reason for that is because the first year at the academy you must take a computer science class. Your DS will be fine without taking that class in high school, however lots of cadets struggle with computer science at the academy. A basic introduction class to computing/Computer Science will help her though in preparation for the USAFA class.
Got it. Thanks.
Could you list the 8 freshman courses which would recieve credit ? Very likely he will save on the first year but not sure you can save 2 years.