- If I took AP or IB tests this spring, when will my scores be available?
- How high do I have to score on an AP test to receive Willamette credit?
- How high do I have to score on an IB test to receive Willamette credit?
- How do AP or IB credit affect selecting classes for my first semester?
- Can I satisfy General Education requirements through AP or IB credits?
- What level of calculus should I take at Willamette if I complete AP Calculus during high school?
- Is a four-course term the minimum, or would I be able to take only three courses in the first semester due to having college credits and high school AP or IB classes?
- Does Willamette offer college credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)?
- I have taken some college level courses through my high school. Can I transfer the credits to Willamette?
- Should I transfer in college credit courses even if I got a "C"? Will these transfer grades affect my GPA?
- Through Washington State’s “Running Start” program, I have received a transfer degree as well as my high school diploma from Skagit Valley College. What credits will be accepted by Willamette?
- I took a community college chemistry class that required us to take comprehensive finals, so do I need to start in the 100's for chemistry?
1. If I took AP or IB tests this spring, when will my scores be available?
If you arranged to have your scores sent to Willamette, the Registrar will receive the AP results around July 1st. The IB results availability are more varied; most likely they will arrive sometime in July. This means that your test results won't be known until after you register for classes, so your schedule may have to be adjusted based on your scores.
2. How high do I have to score on an AP test to receive Willamette credit?
If you score a 4 or 5 on an AP test you may receive college credit. AP scores of 4 and 5 are generally granted the equivalent of 4 credits. A Calculus BC test score of 5 will earn 8 credits. The course equivalency is listed on the Registrar's web site under Policies/Advanced Placement. If you have questions about AP credits, you should contact the Registrar at (503) 370-6206 or registrar@willamette.edu. For an example, if you earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology test, you will get credit for PSYC 210 (Introduction to Psychology) and can registered for another course that has PSYC 210 as a prerequisite.
3. How high do I have to score on an IB test to receive Willamette credit?
If you score a 5, 6 or 7 on an IB test you may receive college credit. Students receiving scores of 5 on IB Higher Level examinations generally receive 4 credits for each examination, while a score of 6 or 7 will generate 8 credits. Students who graduate from high school with the full IB diploma and a score of 30 or higher will also receive 4 credits in the category of Theory of knowledge. The course equivalency is listed on the Registrar's web site under Policies/International Baccalaureate. If you have questions about IB credits, you should contact the Registrar at (503) 370-6206 or registrar@willamette.edu.
4. How do AP or IB credit affect selecting classes for my first semester?
Results from AP or IB tests taken this spring will not be available until after you register for classes. Familiarize yourself with course equivalency for the tests you've taken and share the testing with Advising Counselor during your appointment. Sometimes students are registered for courses for which they receive Willamette credit. If that happens, you will be contacted to choose an alternative course.
5. Can I satisfy General Education requirements through AP or IB credits?
AP and IB credit will not be applied toward Willamette's general education breadth requirements (in Natural Science, Mathematical Science, Social Science, and Arts & Humanities). You may fulfill the language foundation requirement. AP and IB credit may be applied toward meeting major and minor requirements.
6. What level of calculus should I take at Willamette if I complete AP Calculus during high school?
See Mathematics Placement for detailed information; the following is a summary. If you did reasonably well in your calculus class (grades of A or B), you should sign up for Multivariable Calculus, MATH 249. If you received a grade of C, then MATH 152 is reasonable course with which to start. If you took the AP exam then: if you scored a 3 or better, sign up for Multivariable Calculus, MATH 249. If you scored a 2 or less, sign up for Accelerated Calculus II, MATH 152.
7. Is a four-course term the minimum, or would I be able to take only three courses in the first semester due to having college credits and high school AP or IB classes?
The strict answer to your question is that 3 courses (at 4 Willamette credits each) are considered a full-time load. But it is not quite that simple — to make normal progress toward graduation a student needs 28 credits after the first year, 60 after the second, 72 after the third year and 124 to graduate.
There are two options to this question:
- Take the normal four-course load for two reasons:
- You are obviously very capable and should have no difficulty taking four courses.
- Having a few extra credits when you start gives you the freedom over your Willamette career to take courses you would not otherwise be able to take if you had to take those core classes at Willamette.
- Enroll in only three courses if you wish, given the transfer and testing credit you’ll bring with you. Apart from fulfilling various specific requirements related to general education and your major, you'll need to complete 124 credits to graduate. Divided among 8 semesters, that yields 16 credits per term, with one term at 12 credits. Thus, even if you weren't bringing in credit at entry, you would have one semester in which to take only 12 credits.
8. Does Willamette offer college credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)?
No college credit is applied for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
9. I have taken some college level courses through my high school. Can I transfer the credits to Willamette?
Work done through your high school will certainly help you, but it may or may not be applied for credit. The policy is this: you must have taken the classes at a college (not in your high school), instructed by a college professor (not a high school teacher), and with other college students (not high school students). If all those criteria are met, and the college issues a transcript for you, then the credit should transfer. If you have questions about transfer courses you should contact the Registrar at (503) 370-6206 or registrar@willamette.edu.
10. Should I transfer in college credit courses even if I got a "C"? Will these transfer grades affect my GPA?
Although the credit may transfer to Willamette and be counted toward your degree, the grades will not count in your Willamette GPA calculation. Your Willamette GPA will be figured only on your grades earned at Willamette. If you study abroad after arriving at Willamette, things get just a bit more complicated, but that's another story.
11. Through Washington State’s “Running Start” program, I have received a transfer degree as well as my high school diploma from Skagit Valley College. What credits will be accepted by Willamette?
Willamette will accept up to 32 credits (8 courses) for incoming first-year students. If you have sent us your SVC transcript, the Registrar’s Office (503) 370-6206 can answer more specific questions about which courses you will receive Willamette credit.
12. I took a community college chemistry class that required us to take comprehensive finals, so do I need to start in the 100's for chemistry?
You should consult with the Registrar (503.370.6206) to see if you will receive Willamette credit for CHEM 115. If this is the case for you, you will be able to start Chemistry at CHEM 116 in the spring and have already the prerequisite for BIOL 130.