<p>Depends on the school. There will be some variation between different schools’ calculus courses, though the differences usually are not huge. Those who got a 5 on AP calculus BC and thought it was easy can probably handle learning on their own whatever is different (and some such students go straight into the honors course at the next level and do well). Those who struggled to get a 3 on AP calculus are probably best off starting over.</p>
<p>The exception would be at some super-elite schools where a year of freshman calculus is compressed into a semester, and taught at what would be an honors level at any other school (lots of extra theory, proofs, and derivations). In that case, the difference between the school’s course and either another school’s course or an AP course is larger.</p>
<p>Students who do successfully start ahead in math effectively gain extra elective space later. They may also be able to start physics and other courses sooner, which may make scheduling later courses more flexible. But starting in first semester freshman calculus should not be considered a disadvantage in terms of normal progress toward the degree.</p>