AP Credit Transfer to College: How Does It Work?

I have a bunch of AP credits and I'm wondering how they will transfer when I go to college. Are there standard policies, or does it depend on the school and major I choose?

Great question! The way Advanced Placement (AP) credits transfer to college can vary widely based on the individual institution and sometimes the specific major that you're pursuing.

Most universities have a general AP credit policy that outlines which AP exams they accept and the minimum scores you need to earn college credit. Typically, you'll need to score a 3, 4, or 5 to receive credit, but again, this can vary. For example, some colleges may require a 4 or 5 on certain tests, or they may only accept AP credits for elective courses but not core classes.

In addition to their general policy, schools often have specific rules for certain departments or majors. For instance, if you're planning to be a Biology major and you received a 5 on the AP Biology exam, some universities may count this towards your major requirements, while others may simply count it as general elective credit and still require you to take their specific intro Biology course.

To check a particular college’s AP credit policy, you can generally find this on their Admissions webpage or by doing a web search for "[College Name] AP Credit Policy." It's a smart idea to do this research ahead of time, especially if you are deciding between a few different colleges or if you want to understand how your AP credits may help you graduate early or have a bit more flexibility in your schedule.

Keep in mind that you'll need to have your AP scores sent directly from the College Board to your university to receive the credit. It's also worth noting that even if a school does accept your AP credits for college course credit, it's ultimately up to you whether you want to accept that credit or start fresh with a college-level course in that subject. This could be a factor to consider if you feel you might need a stronger foundation in that subject area for your intended major or career path.

Overall, AP credits can be a fantastic way to potentially save on tuition costs or allow you to explore additional topics of interest in college, but how they'll factor into your journey will depend on the specifics of your situation.