How come Caltech doesn't take any AP credits?

Kamikazewave
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:40:48 +0000

The worst mistake you can do is assume your high school preparation will be enough for college, no matter where you go.

I took IB Chem HL, and did alright on it, but I still got an “incomplete” on my intro Chem class last term. I could definitely have worked harder, and ironically, if I’d never taken advanced chem in high school I might have done better in chem1a, since it forces you to pay attention and work harder.

I passed CS1 when I’d never programmed before in my life (except for on my TI-83, but that doesn’t count) when some of my friends who programmed before dropped it.

My friend at Princeton in an integrated science curriculum is also having plenty of problem, despite supposed advanced classes in college.

Bottom line: don’t assume college work is similar to high school work.