Make Sure Your Pre-College Credits Count
If you’re heading off to college in September, you’ve probably already started packing for college, but there’s something you might easily forget. It’s the documentation you’ll need to quickly and easily earn credit for any coursework you completed, or for AP tests you took. Colleges are pretty bureaucratic by nature and if you don’t have your paperwork ready or your documentation submitted online, you could be in for some hassles. Whether you are a transfer student or an incoming freshman, here are some steps you can take to avoid frustration and delays:
- Call the registrar’s office at your college right now. Explain where any college credits you have already earned will come from – from AP exams, CLEP exams, or other sources. Ask exactly what documentation you’ll need to bring with you or submit online, and get it assembled now.
- Ask whether the college places a limit on the number of credits that will be accepted. Some colleges do – and if you are a transfer student especially, you should know those limitations ahead of time.
- Also ask whether your prior work needs to be evaluated before credits will be assigned. In some cases, courses need to be evaluated by department heads before credit is assigned. Ask! The more you know ahead of time, the smoother the process will be.
- Avoid the crunch of registration day. In most cases, it is best to drop by the registrar’s office shortly after you arrive on campus to review and discuss your documentation about credit transfer.
- If you will earn or transfer credits from courses you have taken online, invest a little extra time to make sure you understand the procedures and protocols. Students who take courses online at StraighterLine, for example, transfer the credits they have earned for college through the American Council on Education Credit. It is an easy process, but since some colleges are not familiar with it, it is best to complete the process early, before you arrive on campus.
Get cracking!
