How much do APs actually matter in admissions

[ucbalumnus]

@Mashinations

Good AP scores in general education courses outside your prospective major will allow you waive courses and get slightly ahead in college. Good AP scores in courses around your prospective major will generally allow you to take the next level of difficulty course.

Obviously, it depends on the college as to what you may get from an AP score. You may get none, some, or all of the following:

• Credits toward the number of credits needed to graduate.
• Subject credit for a course that can fulfill a requirement.
• Advanced placement into a higher level course in the subject area.

But it is not assured that you “will” or “will not” get any of the above without checking the specific college’s policies on the matter. Also, a college may have a policy of cancelling the effect of the AP score if you take a duplicating college course.

Students who may transfer to a different college or apply to professional school (e.g. medical school) may also have to consider how the different college or professional school may see the AP scores.