For my AP credits, I have 5s on these tests that I have taken so far: World History, US History, Computer Science Principles, and English Language and Compsoition. I am an Engineering major, hoping for computer science after ETAM. What credits should I claim, that will help me reduce overall costs and will allow me more time to focus on math and science clasess to get the highest GPA possible?
I will also take Environemntal Science, English Literature, US Government and Economics AP tests as well, and will find out the scores for those as well. If I get 5s on those tests as well, or at least 4s, then what credits should I claim in total?
@HowBoutDemBoyz very important to not ‘accept’ any AP credit, until meeting with advisor at NSC. They will go over it all, and help you decide when to ‘use’ them.
Send the scores for sure, but do NOT ‘accept’ them yet.
Great AP scores, btw!
Thank you! Sounds good. I will monitor and track the credits that I currently have, as well as, once the other scores come out, what my credits could be potentially. Thank you
Hey there. We signed him up for Callaway Villas too.
Realistically at your NSC you probably will not have much one on one with an advisor - do not stress about that. Freshmen year most students take the same core classes (you do need to pay attention to the chemistry class choice because different engineering majors require either chem 107 or chem 119). I wouldn’t worry about accepting any AP credits until after you are already on campus taking classes. I don’t believe it really changes what you take first semester. I wouldn’t AP out of math or science classes (except math 152 - that is a good one to use AP credits on if you have them). Fall semester you could take math 151, chem (I think it’s 107 for comp sci majors and the lab is maybe 117?), pols 207, and I think there is a required engineering course (I don’t have info in front of me and it might change year to year so you need to know what is required your year). Basically I used a lot of words to say - don’t worry about taking any AP credits until you are already on campus, go fairly light first semester credit wise (12-13), pols 207 is a good class to get out of the way first semester. I would be careful about using AP credits for math or science for engineering. My (now graduated) daughter’s engineering advisor did say that was one of the biggest mistake she saw freshman make was using AP credits for math and science.
Correction - He’ll be at the sister property U Club…
My daughter is a sophomore engineering student. We generally agree with the comment above. Before college, we had been working on the belief that if a course is a core part of your degree plan, then the university prefers that you take their course there (not place out of it or use community college credit).
For math, she had AP credit for MATH 151 and 152. She retook the MATH 151 class at A&M for the fall semester to get an easy A for her GPA. For MATH 152, it’s not an easy A and future math classes aren’t related to it, so many people use AP credit for MATH 152 (why risk hurting your GPA before ETAM), and then jump to MATH 251 (Calculus 3) at A&M in the spring semester.
For science, she took AP Physics in high school but did not sign up for the AP test, knowing that she should retake Physics at A&M since it’s an important part of her engineering major.
Fast forward to freshman year at A&M. Following the degree plan, she took PHYS 206 her spring semester. When it came time for class registration for fall sophomore year, everyone she knew advised against taking PHYS 207 at A&M. Even the A&M advisors told students that Physics isn’t taught well at A&M (!), take it at a community college, and there’s no harm to your degree. What the heck?!
So, last summer she took it 100% online at Western Texas College (a common recommendation). To make it more frustrating, she had a bad section so her class was unnecessarily harder than a friend who took the same online class in a different section. All this could’ve been avoided if she had taken the AP test for Physics.
Something to consider for those planning ahead. Maybe things will change in the future, but that’s our experience.
Your first semester schedule will look something like the following…
Looks like you will eventually have credit for eng104 so perhaps take a creative arts class that qualifies for cd/icd or texas government. Keep your total credits at 13 and 12 freshman year to have the best chances for a 4.0 and your first choice major. As mentioned, you wont get one on one time with an advisor for NSC and there is no rush accept ap credit so wait unitl you are in computer science or your desired major to start accepting those ap credits.
Its best if you familiarize yourself with the ap credit chart AP/IB Credits - Testing Services and the engineering degree plan Computer Science - BS < Texas A&M Catalogs < Texas A&M University, College Station, TX so you can make informed decisions. Unfortunately, dont expect engineering advisors to lead you through this - its best if you know what you have and what you need. Sounds like you are off to a great start in figuring this out
My son signed up at Callaway Villas too! Love the place!
Anyone here who is a Brown Scholar know when the results come for the Brown-UK Leadership Trip? Just asking to make sure
I’d ask on the dedicated Brown Foundation post-
TAMU 2028 Brown Foundation Scholarship
Don’t you have to take 2 math courses for engineering ETAM? If your daughter took MAT 151 and then AP credit for MAT 152, which MAT did she take for the second? If MAT 251, are you saying that’s easier than MAT 152? FYI, my son got a 5 on Calc AB junior year, and is taking Calc BC this year and seems to be on pace for a 5 there.
Daughter’s CStat Howdy banner arrived today. Now she has a matching set! I can’t wait for her to get home tonight!
We are still waiting for Hunter’s banner
We’re in the Cypress/Tomball area so pretty close to College Station. Now that we know they’ve mailed, I’m sure we’ll see many receive in the next couple days. Hunter’s will get to him very soon now!
Yes, she satisfied the 2 math requirements for ETAM with MATH 151 and MATH 251.
She said it’s hard to say if MATH 251 was “easier” than MATH 152 (since she only had the high school AP class version of 152 to compare). But it was an easier transition from MATH 151 → MATH 251 (since it’s basically 151 in 3D) compared to MATH 151 → MATH 152 (which is different than 151/251 and used less in the future). She says MATH 251 does have concepts that are harder, but the course is structured well and the exams were straightforward. She had no problem getting an A in MATH 251.
It was a good decision for her. Other students concur – people she’s met and posts we’ve seen on the Facebook Engineering Parents group as well. But your son will need to decide what’s best in his case; his mileage may vary.
Whoop! Banner received today. (We’re in Plano, north of Dallas) SO worth the wait.
Just got our banner in Houston!!!
Thank you Very much! Very helpful