What are the high school credit transfer rules?

I'm a junior trying to make my high school courses count in college. How do high school credit transfers work? Do all colleges accept them, or does it depend on the school and my courses?

Transferring high school credits to college can be a great way to get a head start on your higher education journey. High school credits mainly transfer to college through dual enrollment courses, AP (Advanced Placement) courses, and IB (International Baccalaureate) courses.

Dual enrollment: Dual enrollment allows students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously for the same course. These are often local arrangements between high schools and nearby colleges (which could be community colleges, public universities, or private institutions). That being said, the transferability of these credits to other institutions can vary widely. It's crucial to ensure that the college you're interested in will accept these credits, as some colleges won't accept dual-enrollment credits from other institutions.

AP courses: These are college-level classes taught in high school, where, at the end of the year, you take an exam that may grant you college credit, depending on the score. Each college's policy on accepting, and the score required for, AP credits can be found on the individual school's website or through a quick search.

IB courses: IB Diploma Programme can also grant students college credit. Like AP, each higher ed institution will have its policies regarding what scores are necessary to get credit, and most often this information can be found on the colleges' website.

Remember, not every college treats dual enrollment, AP, or IB credits in the same way. Even with AP and IB courses, which are more standardized, colleges vary in the minimum exam score they require to accept the credits. Some may accept as low as a 3 on the AP exam, while others require scores of 4 or 5. Additionally, some universities might not award credit for AP or IB coursework but may use your scores for placement purposes, such as letting you get out of introductory-level college courses.

The best approach would be to first figure out what type of credit you hope to earn. Then, if you have specific colleges in mind, check each institution's policies regarding transfer credits. The information is often available on the college's website, or you can reach out to the college's admissions office for more detailed information. You should also discuss this with your high school counselor who might be able to provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.