I've accumulated quite a few college credits through community college and AP classes. Are there any colleges that don't have a limit on credit transfers? I'm worried about having to retake courses I've already completed.
There is quite a bit of variation in credit transfer policies between colleges. It's rare to find colleges that accept unlimited transfer credits, but it is possible to find institutions with more generous transfer policies.
Many institutions will cap the number of credits they accept, often around half the total credits required for a degree. Institutions typically do this because they want to ensure that a significant portion of your education takes place at their institution.
For instance, some state schools like University of Maryland and University of Massachusetts Amherst accept up to 90 transfer credits toward a 120 credit bachelor's degree. Arizona State University, on the other hand, theoretically allows unlimited transfer credits, but only 64 of them can be from a two-year institution.
However, do remember that just because a college accepts a lot of transfer credits, it doesn't mean that all of your credits will be applicable to your intended degree program. Some of your credits might be counted as elective credits rather than fulfilling specific course requirements.
For AP scores, typically a score of a 4 or 5 is needed to get college credit. However, policies vary greatly by school, and not all colleges accept credits for all AP exams.
You'll need to reach out to individual colleges' admissions departments or transfer credit offices to get more comprehensive information tailored to your situation. You may also want to discuss your course progression with an academic advisor, who can provide guidance on how your previously earned credits will apply to your intended program of study.
The key here is to communicate with prospective colleges as early as possible. By doing so, you'll avoid surprises, and better plan for how to fulfill your degree requirements.
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