Understanding AP college credit transfer policies

I'm confused about AP credit transfers. Does anyone know how to find out which colleges accept AP credits and what grades you need to get the credit? I'm particularly interested in how state universities handle this.

Absolutely, the policies for AP credit largely vary between different colleges, so it's critical to look at each university's policy individually. Thankfully, several colleges will have their AP Credit Policy detailed on their website. You can usually find this by searching "[University Name] AP Credit Policy” in a search engine.

Here's how it generally works: Colleges will list the AP courses they offer credit for, and the minimum score needed on the exam to earn that credit. For instance, a university may indicate that a score of '4' on AP Calculus AB will earn you credit for Math 101. Some universities may accept a '3' while more selective schools might require a '5'.

State universities often will have detailed policies on their website regarding AP credit because a large number of their students come from within the state and are likely to have taken these standardized courses. Each university—at both the state and private level—reserves the right to set their own AP credit policies, including what scores they'll accept and how many credits you receive.

As an example, let's say you're interested in the University of Michigan. By visiting their office of undergraduate admissions website, you can find a document that outlines the AP credit policy. It lists all the AP courses and the corresponding UMich courses that you could potentially get credit for, along with the minimum required AP score.

Remember to regard these credits as potential advantages but know that each university has ultimate discretion over whether they'll award credit or placement. Check out the individual policies and, if in doubt, reach out to the university's admissions office directly. They're there to help clarify these types of inquiries.