Not report AP scores and retake class to help GPA so can choose CS major. Does that make sense?

[Anonymous]

Some colleges have requirements about computer science and you cannot just declare it as a major. For example:

VT: Must have a 3.0 GPA to get first pick at major

UMD: Must have a C- in CMSC131 (object oriented programming I (JAVA)), C- in CMSC132 (object oriented programming I (JAVA)), and C- in Math 140 (Calc I) and 2.0 by end of 45 credits to be CS major.

Here is my question:
If a student took AP Calc AB and got a 5 and AP Computer Science A and got a 5, would it make sense to NOT provide the AP scores and take the credit, but instead sit for the classes in college to get the A or B so they have a better chance of getting into Computer Science? What would be the downside of doing that? Doesn't it make more sense to have 2 easy classes to get you to your goal of getting in the major?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering the same thing for Pitt and CU Boulder if my kid does not get a direct admit to CS major (now a hs Junior). I think it is important to fully understand the requirements for the major and whether it is competitive beyond the min grade requirements. Boulder makes it clear it is automatic if grades met for CS major. I think it means you can’t jump into higher level classes, but that might be okay depending on the student.

[Anonymous]

Many kids repeat calc or mv calc or chem in college to have an easier class or to boost their gpa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many kids repeat calc or mv calc or chem in college to have an easier class or to boost their gpa.

+1

Or at least to have a lower curve to transitioning into college. And in other cases, colleges won't take the credit, preferring their students make it through the weed-out classes.

[Anonymous]

Can’t you report them on applications but still repeat the class? DC wants to do engineering and I will encourage him to repeat some of math and science classes. I don’t care about credits. Would rather DC have strong foundation.

[Anonymous]

OP here. So it seems many people do this. There is no down side?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it seems many people do this. There is no down side?

The only down side is that each class you retake in college is one less class you can use to take something else that might be interesting. Like others have said, though, it's pretty common and not a bad idea to repeat high school classes in college if you have any doubts about your readiness for the next level.

That said, someone who scores a 5 on the AP exam might be ready to move on to whatever comes next. Maybe a look at the text to be used for the course plus the syllabus would help make the decision?

BTW, another thing to consider in making decisions about curriculum for the first year in college is that students are starting mostly from scratch in developing a social life and are naturally going to want to focus a lot of energy on that. Taking too tough a schedule can be a problem under these circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Soooooooo much was skipped last year.

Retake the class

[Anonymous]

Different discipline but we have a kid who is in a bio-adjacent program. Did not submit AP Bio score because most of the year was online.
And what PP said, in many maybe most cases colleges want you to take certain major-specific courses in college so think Calc for engineering, Chem for chemistry, etc.

[Anonymous]

Still report the AP courses and exams but take the class in college. AP courses are really not the equivalent of a college-level course at a competitive school most of the time so it's usually still a challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still report the AP courses and exams but take the class in college. AP courses are really not the equivalent of a college-level course at a competitive school most of the time so it's usually still a challenge.

AP courses are the equivalent of competitive college courses at some high schools. I know many students who have taken 5-6 APs in junior and senior year of high school who've said their first and second year at their Ivy League school or UVa was about the same level of challenge as the final two years of high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still report the AP courses and exams but take the class in college. AP courses are really not the equivalent of a college-level course at a competitive school most of the time so it's usually still a challenge.

AP courses are the equivalent of competitive college courses at some high schools. I know many students who have taken 5-6 APs in junior and senior year of high school who've said their first and second year at their Ivy League school or UVa was about the same level of challenge as the final two years of high school.

Were they able to score As at college level?

[Anonymous]

Two kids in college, both in CS.

The first one had a lot of AP classes that he used for college credit. This allowed him to take more advanced CS classes earlier, with helped when applying to internships (he got one at a a FAANG after Sophomore year). He is finishing up his Junior year now and can graduate early if he wants but is taking more advanced CS classes and some that he enjoys. He was always a very good student so this worked for him.

The second kid also had a AP credit that he could have used but he decided to retake some classes to boost his GPA. He regrets it because as long as you get over a 3.0, most companies do not care about GPA. They care more about internships/project work which is easier to get if you've taking relevant classes. For example, online coding assessments through Code Signal or Leetcode is easier if you've taken certain classes. Although he somewhat regrets it, I think it was the best decision for him because while he was a good student, I think the transition to a competitive college would have been difficult if he jumped right in to material he didn't know. This gave him confidence and eased the transition for him.

Both approach worked, but it was based on the kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still report the AP courses and exams but take the class in college. AP courses are really not the equivalent of a college-level course at a competitive school most of the time so it's usually still a challenge.

AP courses are the equivalent of competitive college courses at some high schools. I know many students who have taken 5-6 APs in junior and senior year of high school who've said their first and second year at their Ivy League school or UVa was about the same level of challenge as the final two years of high school.

Were they able to score As at college level?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two kids in college, both in CS.

The first one had a lot of AP classes that he used for college credit. This allowed him to take more advanced CS classes earlier, with helped when applying to internships (he got one at a a FAANG after Sophomore year). He is finishing up his Junior year now and can graduate early if he wants but is taking more advanced CS classes and some that he enjoys. He was always a very good student so this worked for him.

The second kid also had a AP credit that he could have used but he decided to retake some classes to boost his GPA. He regrets it because as long as you get over a 3.0, most companies do not care about GPA. They care more about internships/project work which is easier to get if you've taking relevant classes. For example, online coding assessments through Code Signal or Leetcode is easier if you've taken certain classes. Although he somewhat regrets it, I think it was the best decision for him because while he was a good student, I think the transition to a competitive college would have been difficult if he jumped right in to material he didn't know. This gave him confidence and eased the transition for him.

Both approach worked, but it was based on the kid

Thanks for this. My biggest concern is getting first pick of my major or staying in my major (depending on how the school does it). One false move and it's over. You cannot reapply.