<p>You can still use the AP credit to start out in higher level classes; nobody has an interest in forcing you to re-take basic US history etc. </p>
<p>It is very much in a university’s interest to make sure that the vast preponderance of university credit is obtained under its own aegis. But with the proliferation of long study abroad programs, universities are facing the prospect of a student with a lot of AP credit and in one of these programs basically spending 2 years in residence. That raises a real question about what it means to have a degree from that university.</p>
<p>Northwestern’s policy on this either is or soon will be standard at elite universities, for reasons like this. The school and all its other alumni have a collective interest in making sure that you go through a full experience there. This is part of what creates a school’s reputation, and Northwestern apparently believes it has one worth preserving. Recent graduates doubtless feel the same way.</p>
<p>Starting out in higher level courses is at some level a basic point of AP, so theses courses and credits are far from “wasted” under NU’s policy.</p>