Transferring AP and PSEO Credits After High School Graduation

Apr 30, 2011
Ashley Anderson

Applying AP and PSEO Credits to a College Degree - Robert S. Donovan

Students can earn college credits in high school in a variety of ways, but should be careful when trying to apply them towards a college degree.

With the rising cost of higher education and the increase in competitive nature among colleges and universities, more and more high school students are looking for ways to make themselves more competitive throughout the admissions process while also trying to save money on a college education. Extracurricular activities, impressive academic records, and a variety of other factors can help a student's application grab someone's attention and increase a student's chances for financial aid, but more and more students are taking advantage of Advanced Placement (AP) classes and enrolling in post secondary education option (PSEO) programs to get a head start on a college education.

AP and PSEO credits, however, may make the college application process a little trickier for students. Depending on the specific college or university, students with AP and/or PSEO credits may have to apply as a transfer student, provide special documentation, or possibly not receive credit for any AP or PSEO course work completed.

Things To Remember About AP and PSEO Credits

Each year, an increasing number of students are taking advantage of AP and PSEO programs at high schools, colleges, and universities. With that in mind, there are several things that students should remember about these special courses and programs prior to attempting to apply classes towards a college degree:

Limitations Just as there are limitations on the amount of courses that students can take, colleges and universities may have limitations on how many classes can count towards a degree program and how these credits can be used.
Exams AP courses require students to complete an examination prior to receiving credit for completing the course, while some colleges and universities may ask students to take additional exams before credits can be applied towards their program of study.
Academic Record Colleges and universities will only accept AP credits if students attained a specific minimum score on the test, while transferred PSEO credits with low grades will impact a student's college GPA before starting formal classes.

Applying AP and PSEO Credits Towards a College Degree

When it comes to transfering AP and PSEO credits, every college and university has a different policy regarding these classes and how the school handles them. For specific instructions, students should contact an admissions counselor at each prospective school for detailed information.

Students with AP credits often will not be able to apply courses towards a college degree if they have not met a minimum score on the AP exams. For example, Luther College requires a minimum score of four out of five, while other schools may allow threes or require perfect fives in order for course work to be considered. Other colleges and universities may not even honor AP coursework, regardless of a student's scores on the AP exams.

For PSEO students who wish to continue at their post secondary institution after graduating from high school, the college or university's registrar may have to make modifications to a student's record to allow them to enroll in the appropriate classes and to take heavier course loads. For example, PSEO students at the University of Minnesota who wish to apply their PSEO credits towards a degree at the same school must attend an orientation session and have specific holds removed from their accounts prior to registering for their first semester of classes.

For PSEO students wishing to transfer credits to another school, a student should make an appointment with an admissions counselor regarding the school's policy on transferring PSEO credits. Some schools will only transfer a certain amount of credits, credits that were not directly applied to state high school graduation requirements, or will require documentation such as course syllabi before credits will be applied at the student's new college or university.

With more and more students taking advantage of advanced course options before high school graduation, more and more college freshmen are bringing the potential for college credits with them. It is important for these students, however, to remember that not every college and university will treat their advanced work prior to graduation in the same way.

Sources

"Admissions: Earning Credits in High School" Luther College, accessed 27 April 2011.
"Post-Secondary Enrollment Options: 2010-2011 Online and Distance Learning Student Survival Guide" University of Minnesota Office of Advanced High School Student Services, accessed 29 April 2011.