Do Credits Expire in College?

I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to plan my academic path carefully. One thing I'm worried about is whether the credits I might earn from dual enrollment or community college courses will still be valid when I'm actually in college. Do college credits generally expire, or is this something I don't have to worry about as long as I transfer within a certain time frame? Additionally, does this differ between community colleges and 4-year universities? Any insight would be super helpful!

College credits usually do not "expire" per se. Most academic credits you earn from an accredited institution will remain valid indefinitely. However, whether they transfer or are accepted by another institution depends on that specific school's policy and how closely the course content aligns with the curriculum at the new school.

Credits from dual enrollment or community college classes often transfer, but it's crucial to check the transfer policies at the 4-year institutions you're considering. Some schools may have restrictions on the type of courses that transfer (like general education vs. major-specific courses), or they may cap the total number of transfer credits they accept.

Also, be aware that for highly specialized or fast-changing fields (like technology or certain healthcare specialties), older coursework might not be seen as relevant, even if technically the credits don't expire.

Lastly, keep in mind that while credits don't expire, your GPA does not transfer along with your credits. This means that while the coursework will count towards fulfilling degree requirements, it won't affect your GPA at the new institution.

In sum, always check with the specific institutions you're considering for the most accurate and relevant information about credit transfer. You can typically find this information on the college's website or by contacting their admissions office directly.