How do AP credits transfer to college?

I'm a high school junior planning on taking several AP classes. I'm curious about how these AP credits transfer to college. Do most colleges accept them, and can they help me skip some required classes? Is there anything specific I should be aware of?

You've got part of it correctly, AP credits can indeed help you skip some required classes in college. Many colleges in the United States accept AP credits, but the exact process can vary based on the institutions you're considering. Here are a few points that are generally true:

1. Most colleges have a minimum score (generally a score of 3, 4, or 5) they require on the AP exam to consider it for credit.

2. Some universities assign college credit based on the AP exam score, which means that you get credit for a certain course as if you had taken that course at the college.

3. Some universities allow you to use your AP credits to place out of certain introductory classes, even if they don't technically give college credit.

4. The number of credits given can also vary based on the subject. For example, some colleges may offer more credits for AP sciences, like AP Biology, compared to AP languages like AP French.

5. In most cases, students typically send their AP score reports to the college they're attending after they've committed. The college then assesses the scores and applies any credits to the student's college transcript before the start of the academic year.

The best way to know how your AP credits will transfer is to look at the college's specific AP credit policy. You can typically find this on the college's website, sometimes in the admissions or registrar's office section, or by reaching out to the admissions office. It's a great idea to create a list of the AP credit policies of the schools you're interested in so you're prepared and know what to expect.