[quote=joec]Always good to do AP classes if possible, downside in the UC system is if you have too many credits, it could be a bad thing when I went (20 years ago). Maybe it’s different now, but if you major in engineering, your classes are pretty much set and many upper division classes are only offered once a year so it’s really hard to graduate in 4 years. Maybe they will be ok with it now since I read about kids with like 15 AP classes now and some crazy 4.6 gpa.
With some classes curved and then failing half (half gets a C- or lower), that alone will keep you another year around college (good times though!).
My brother almost got kicked out of UC since he had so many credits from being double engr and pre-med major.
I also had a ton from taking other “fun” classes and changing majors and always had so many units that I always got my classes since my registration times were the same as people a year ahead like you said.[/quote]
When I went to UCSD 10+ years ago, the average HS GPA for the entering engineering students was ~4.7 and SAT was ~1500 (max was 1600 back then). So, I don’t think high GPA is a modern phenomenon.
Yes, the engineering class are set, but your math, your GE, your physics classes are not set. IIRC, AP calculus can give you credit, but you still had to take the UC’s calculus class. However, since I took my calculus at a JC, I was able to get my 1st two calculus class cleared.
Upper division classes wasn’t that limited at UCSD 10+ years ago. I’m not sure how it is today. But it might be what you’re describing, due to budget cuts.
Like you, I had so many credits entering UCSD that I had no problem signing up for class, since my registration times were before my classmates.
