Can I transfer credits from high school to college?

I'm a high school junior and I'm considering taking some advanced courses that might count for college credit. How does the credit transfer process work, and what should I be aware of when planning?

There are indeed ways to earn college credit while you're in high school. The two most common ways to do this are through Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual enrollment.

High schools across the country offer AP courses, which are rigorous, college-level classes in a variety of subject areas. After completing an AP course, students take an exam associated with the course content. Depending on the exam score and the individual policies of the college you attend, you may be able to receive college credit or skip certain introductory courses. The minimum score accepted for an AP test is usually a 4 or 5, but can vary widely across schools, or even from exam to exam or department to department at the same school.

These policies vary widely, so you'll want to check with potential colleges about their AP credit policies. You can also use the College Board's AP Credit Policy Search tool: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies/. Do be aware this tool only provides an overview, and school policies can change, so you'll always want to confirm directly with the schools themselves.

Dual enrollment programs, on the other hand, allow high school students to take actual college classes (often at a local community college) and earn credit that will appear on a college transcript. These credits are often transferable to other colleges, but the extent to which they transfer depends heavily on agreements between individual colleges, and the exact courses you took.

Here are some things to bear in mind:

1. Each college has its own policy regarding transfer credits, in terms of which AP scores they accept and how they view a certain class taken at a particular college. Prepare to see variation in what's accepted vs not at different schools.

2. If you plan on taking courses at a local college under a dual enrollment program, ensure that the credits are transferable to the colleges you're considering. Usually, these credits are more likely to be transferrable to in-state schools, and general education classes usually transfer more easily than specialized coursework.

3. No matter what credits you're earning, make sure you're challenging yourself academically. Even if the most rigorous courses available at your school don't lead to college credit, they will be a positive addition to your college application.

4. The AP courses you take and the grades you get in them are more important than your exam scores during the admissions process. While the exam scores determine credit, admissions officers place more value on your performance across the whole year, so make sure you invest in the class itself, rather than just focusing on the exam. If you'd like to learn more about how AP scores are evaluated during the admissions process, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-important-are-ap-scores-for-college-admissions/

With careful planning and good academic performance, you can indeed start your college career with credits already under your belt. The specifics can vary, though, so remember to consult your high school guidance counselor and the admissions offices at the colleges you're considering for specific details tailored to your personal circumstances!