I completed some advanced courses in high school and want to know if it's possible to transfer these as college credits. How do I find out which credits can be transferred and what the process is like?
It's fantastic that you're looking to leverage your high school coursework for college credit. The primary ways that high school students typically earn college credit are through Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, or dual enrollment programs.
Colleges have various policies on which AP or IB scores they accept for credit or placement. An AP score of 3 is generally considered passing and may be accepted for credit or placement by many colleges, but some require a 4 or 5. For International Baccalaureate (IB), scores of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher Level exams may be accepted. As for dual enrollment courses, these are typically college-level courses you took at a local college or university while still in high school.
To know what credits can be transferred, you should refer to the specific policies of the schools you are interested in. Most colleges have a transfer equivalency tool or similar resource on their website where you can find out how previous coursework would be evaluated for credit.
The process to get these credits recognized typically involves sending your official AP, IB, or College transcripts to the college’s registrar's office. You can request your AP scores from the College Board and IB Scores from the IB organization. If you've taken dual enrollment courses, you'll need to request an official transcript from the college where you took these courses.
Lastly, while you can receive college credits, these usually satisfy general education requirements and rarely count towards your major requirements, especially at more selective colleges. Be sure to check with your specific department for their policies.
This process might seem a bit complex, but it can save you both time and tuition down the line, so it's worth looking into!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.