Do AP credits roll over when transferring colleges?

If I transfer to another college, will my AP credits from high school still count? I'm worried I'll lose them in the process. How do these usually get evaluated?

In most cases, AP credits do not automatically transfer when you move from one college to another. While one institution may have accepted certain AP scores for credit, the policy may be different at the school you're transferring to and thus not offer the same type of credit.

Typically, the school you're transferring to will evaluate your AP scores based on their policies. Much like when you first entered college, they'll look at the scores you received on each AP test and determine if they are high enough to grant credit or place out of certain classes. It's worth noting that the criteria can vary greatly from one school to another. Some colleges might only accept scores of 4 or 5, while others may award credit for scores of 3 and above.

It's important to do your research ahead of transferring to see how your potential future schools handle AP scores. Their Admissions or Registrar's office should be able to provide this information for you. If you're able, speak with an academic advisor or the transfer admissions counselor at the school you're interested in to get a better understanding of their process.

Side note - Beyond AP classes, colleges also review any college-level courses you took at your previous school(s). Like with AP scores, these are evaluated on a course-by-course basis, and some may not transfer over depending on the new institution's policies. Additionally, some colleges may have a limit on the number of credits you can transfer.

Keep in mind that while transferring colleges can present challenges, it's still a common process and there are resources available to support you on this path. It can be complicated, but proper planning and communication with both your current and potential future school will ensure that you're making the most out of your hard-earned credits.