So my CC allows the use of AP scores to clear prereqs to Math classes, so I signed up for Math 1B in the Spring quarter without taking 1A (couldn’t take 1B last year because of late registration times). But I talked with a counselor today and he said that some UCs won’t count my AP score to clear prereqs (Calc AB score of 3). Is this a possible reason for automatic rejection? Could I do Math 1A out of sequence and do it in Spring 2016 (applying to transfer this fall)? If I get good grades on Math 1B, 1C, etc, would this be looked over or do I have to start from 1A? It’s pretty late in the reg period so all the classes are full and I’m hesitant on canceling my Math 1B class. Advice needed.
My CCC counselor did not mention this to me, but I can’t say I have not been worried about the exact same thing. Calc AP score 4, cleared Math 1A and got A’s in all math sequences into differential equations.
I honestly think this would be a very stupid reason to reject an applicant - especially if the applicant does very well in the Math sequences that follow after clearing a course with an AP score.
It’d be a pretty silly reason, but there’s always technicalities that get people so I’m pretty worried.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17393229#Comment_17393229
This thread I found didn’t exactly help 
Do you think I should note that I plan to take Math 1A in Spring 2016 out of sequence?
Update: I found another thread
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17838788#Comment_17838788
According to the poster, since it’s a math sequence, the prereq requirement of Math 1A would be fulfilled by taking Math 1B and so on, but you wouldn’t get any credits for 1A. That’s a relief, since I’ll have a lot of units as a potential comp sci transfer. But the discussion in the next pages says otherwise, so I’ll PM the posters and call the UCs when I have time.
@rebmob Okay thanks! I don’t get either credit OR prereq clearance for Math 1A, right? So the only thing would be to take Math 1A out of sequence (I don’t want to get out of my 1B)? Sorry I keep repeating this question, I just want to make sure
edit: I looked it up and a score of 3 on AB won’t cut it for the UC’s I’m looking at (UCSD wants a 4, UCI will only give elective credit). The link you posted was the one I was going off last year, but my counselor corrected me and show me this one for CS majors (it wants a BC score of 5):
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/csugrad/
@nirvanemesis check out this video about how UC admission officers evaluate applicants. They talk a lot about taking certain courses out of sequence, and how taking the lessor course after the advanced one won’t count when you’re being evaluated.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/1731786-how-uc-reviews-academic-records.html#latest
@rebmob check my edited comment above yours. UCB’s CS major doesn’t accept it, and UCSD and UCI don’t either.
@Thiger Sorry if this is lazy but it’s an hour long video, do you know the exact time they talk about it or have the summary?
@nirvanemesis I’m not sure. But if you skip to different times in the video, you will probably find it. Look for the part where they are talking about transcript evaluation. There are only a few topics they cover.
Basically, it’s pointless for you to take Calculus 1A at this point if you already took 1B.
Yes, you can do it out of sequence and most likely should. You will not get unit credit and it will not be calculated in your GPA but you let them know you are taking it (Send an email to each campus trough your portals) and they will factor that in, reassessing, as necessary, when they see the final grade. That should solve the problem, assuming you are a competitive student.
Update: oh, you’re canceling your Math 1B. I didn’t realize. I thought it was done winter term. Before you do anything look at the college and your major req for how they are calculating the AP. Next contact the actual depts at the UCs and ask before you withdraw.
@Thiger Okay thanks, I’ll go watch it right and edit my post. But what about this user in the link you posted? Does validation happen in my case?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18114095/#Comment_18114095
quick edit: oh hey @lindky8! I just linked your comment above. So validation isn’t used here and I need to take it?
second edit to @lindky8’s update: no I’m not canceling Math 1B. Math 1A classes are all full and the ones that aren’t conflict with my other classes’ times. I’m actually applying this fall for next year if that clears up stuff
Really interesting reads. Here is something on UC Berkeley’s admission page. Scroll down to College of Engineering if you are in EECs. A score of 3 for Calculus AB satisfies Math 1A, but they say that they recommend you take Math 1A at Cal.
Computer science at Cal’s L&S doesn’t say anything about AP exams though.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/exam-credit/ap-credits/berkeley/index.html
@Lucky2012
check this link and scroll down to the comp sci requirements (my intended major)
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/csugrad/
Apparently they follow different rules from the EECS (and want a MUCH higher score lol!)
oops double post
edit: okay I think I found the part in the youtube video where they mentioned out of sequence classes. it’s at 50:05.
“If your English 1B doesn’t say 1A is the prereq, then yes they can go back and take the 1A.”
The thing is though is that 1B needs a prereq of 1A (which I cleared), but they didn’t detail on that instance, just said “we’re going to look at it”. I’m not interested in getting credits for 1A, I just want clarification on whether I need to take it at all.
I really wish I knew about this sooner so I wouldn’t have to stress about it.
Hey @nirvanemesis all I see is this line for AP requirements (for math) in your link:
Math 1A and Math 1B (can be satisfied with Advanced Placement BC Calculus Exam Score of 5)
If you take a look at the link that I posted up above, you will see in the College of Engineering section that what they mean by the above quote is that ONE way to clear 1A and 1B is to get a score of 5 on the BC exam.
Also guys just to clarify for myself. If I took all of the Math courses except Math 1A (my CCC cleared it for me because I gave them an official report of my Calc AB score), am I in the clear? Or do I need to haul *** and add a Math 1A class right now?
@Lucky2012 That’s true, but I was talking to my counselor and that’s the link he showed me. We also called up a UCB rep for Comp Sci and that’s the link she used. As for your situation, I’d call them ASAP (since you already sent in an app) and ask whether you need to take Math 1A in the spring quarter (if you use quarters) or summer or even take it at all. With a 4 (instead of my 3) your chances at clearing are higher.
@nirvanemesis
Validation does work unless a major says you need the full year of actual courses. Then it’s more dicey.
@lindky8 Here’s what each ASSIST tells me:
UCB: Complete as many lower division major requirements as possible. See details on
preparation for this major below.
UCSD: Transfer students are strongly advised to complete as many preparatory courses
as soon as possible for their major before enrolling at UC San Diego. Preparing
well for the major helps students move efficiently toward graduation.
UCI: Junior-level applicants who satisfactorily complete course requirements with a
cumulative gpa of 3.0 or better in required courses will be given preference for
admission. Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Completion of one year of college-level mathematics (calculus or discrete
math)
The thing about UCI is that I’m planning to take more than a year (1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B). Does Validation still work?
EDIT: @lindky8 I’m still super confused on what I should do. According to you, validation works, so I wouldn’t need to take Math1A since I’m planning to take 1B and onward. I’m a little skeptical of validation because the other links I found note that it is for freshmen but not transfer students. Cna you show me where transfer students apply to validation? And you also said I should take it out of sequence though.
What is your major? You need to look at the college of that major to see which AP exams are accepted.
Here’s the validation matrix:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/validation_matrix_math_lote.pdf
What is your major?
@lindyk8 That link says it’s for freshmen though and doesn’t say anything about transfers, which is why I’m a little skeptical. My major is kinda different for each UC, mainly cause I don’t have time to fit Physics in my schedule haha, so CS for Cal, Math/CS for UCSD, and Software Engr for UCI. I’ve already checked each UC and they don’t credit a score of 3 while my CC does, which is why I’m asking. I guess I’ll probably take it after everything else, just miffed that I need to take it at all. I’m just glad I caught this early before it was actually time to apply.
Validation applies to everyone.
Anyhow, you’re comp science, college of Letters and Science at Berkeley. The AP math gives credit for quantitative math. Anyhow you placed higher at your CCC so validation would cover it. I saw nothing at Berkeley that said the math needed to be taken as a full-year sequence as actual courses. It just said to get them done.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/exam-credit/ap-credits/berkeley/index.html