Over the past few years we have tracked shifting policy language surrounding the use of AP scores in the college admissions process. We will continue to track these policies moving forward as we expect the role of AP scores in admissions to continue to evolve.
Historically, most schools mentioned the importance of AP and other advanced coursework as a way to demonstrate the rigor of the coursework, but the AP exams scores have mainly been used for placement or credit rather than as an admissions component. This is also tied to the timing of the exams – AP exams taken and scored in senior year after students have applied to schools cannot be used for admissions.
In the current policy language, we see many more schools moving towards reviewing AP scores as part of the holistic review for the admissions process than we have seen in the past. This aligns with the trend of more students starting to take AP exams before senior year. Almost all school policies still reference the importance of AP courses and grades for demonstrating rigor of academics.
We reviewed the policies surrounding AP scores from the 21–22 admission year at 150 popular schools in the US, and found that about 30% now make some mention of viewing the scores specifically in a holistic admissions process. About 60% mention using APs for class credit and/or placement. We will update policies for the 22–23 year this spring.
A small handful of schools make some mention of using Subject Tests in holistic review, and we expect those schools to start referencing AP scores when they update their policies to reflect the cancellation of Subject Tests in June 2021. The remaining handful of schools seem to make no reference to AP scores at all. We also noted a number of schools explicitly recommending or requiring AP scores from homeschooled applicants, you can view those policies here.
We have cataloged the policy language with links to the school sites here:
| School | AP Policy | Are APs used for Admissions? |
|---|---|---|
| American University | Credit/Placement | American University will accept a maximum of 30 credit hours from one or a combination of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, CLEP subject examinations, or other AU-approved test credit. All exams for test credit must be completed prior to AU matriculation. |
| Amherst College | Admissions/Holistically | If you have taken International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement or college courses during secondary school, we view this as significant evidence of your academic ambition, accomplishment and preparation. However, we do not accept such courses for credit or advanced standing, although some Amherst academic departments will allow you to forego introductory-level courses in areas in which you have already completed rigorous work. |
| Auburn University | Credit/Placement | Dependent upon the test scores received you may be eligible to receive course credit. The scores should be provided from the testing agency directly. Please call (334) 844-2539 if you have questions about what credit you are eligible to receive.Note: Auburn University does not accept CLEP credit. |
| Barnard College | Admissions/Holistically | Barnard does not require that students take the AP exam if they are taking the course. However, if you do take the exam, we hope that you will self-report those scores. Scores will be used to provide context to the application, and, if the student chooses to enroll, may be used for credit or placement for courses. Students should still have their schools submit their predicted IB/A-level scores along with their academic transcripts (internal grades/marks). Final IB and A-Level scores should be submitted if the student chooses to enroll. |
| Bates College | Credit/Placement | Bates College offers credit by examination for students who participate in the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level Examination programs. |
| Baylor University | Credit/Placement | Credit can be earned for a course by taking any of several examinations that test for the content of that course. Individual academic departments select the exams they will accept and they set levels of performance required for credit. Advanced Placement CLEP SAT II International Baccalaureate |
| Binghamton University—SUNY | Credit/Placement | If you selected to have your AP scores sent to Binghamton, they were automatically sent to Undergraduate Admissions by the College Board, and will appear on your student record. Test scores of 3, 4 or 5 receive credit. For complete Binghamton equivalencies, go to the online transfer credit evaluation. |
| Boston College | Admissions/Holistically | In reviewing applications that do not include standardized test results, the Admission Committee places greater emphasis on other required application credentials including academic performance, rigor of coursework, placement in class, personal statements, recommendations, and co-curricular involvement. Students who wish to further quantify their academic successes are welcome to submit non-required credentials such as Advanced Placement scores, predicted IB scores, or SAT Subject Test results (if previously taken)....While Boston College will be test optional for the 2021-2022 admission cycle, we encourage homeschooled students to submit any available testing results. Testing options include, but are not be limited to the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and predicted test scores for the International Baccalaureate (IB). Students who have taken college coursework during high school should provide these grades on official transcripts to demonstrate their academic success and preparedness. |
| Boston University | Credit/Placement | Most programs at BU award credit for test scores of 4 or 5 on AP Examinations. To receive Advanced Placement credit, make sure your official examination scores are submitted directly to BU by the College Board. |
| Bowdoin College | Credit/Placement | Regulations for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and other international exams are based on the fall semester in which the student matriculated. Bowdoin's departments and programs vary widely in how they award credit for these exams. Students should reference the appropriate regulations above and follow-up directly with the applicable department or program with any questions. Students who choose to take the Bowdoin course that is equivalent to the AP, IB, or other international exam forfeit the related credit. Credit earned for AP, IB, or other international exams does not meet distribution or division requirements, even if the Bowdoin equivalent course does. |
| Brandeis University | Admissions/Holistically | Brandeis has a test-optional policy and applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Applicants can decide for themselves whether their test results best reflect their academic ability and potential. NB: Options include: (1) SAT/ACT, (2) 3 subject exams (including AP, IB, Subject Tests, and A levels), or (3) an additional paper or letter of recommendation. |
| Brigham Young University—Provo | Credit/Placement | If BYU has not received your AP scores and you wish to receive credit for them, you must do one of the following: Contact AP Scores and Reporting Services to request that your scores be sent to BYU (there will be a fee for this service). If your high school has included your AP scores on your transcript, request that they mail us a transcript. |
| Brown University | Credit/Placement | Advanced Placement exam scores are not eligible for course credit at Brown, but students may use certain AP scores to enroll in higher-level courses and/or to satisfy concentration requirements. In other words, AP credit will not increase your course credit total. |
| Bryn Mawr College | Admissions/Holistically | Bryn Mawr College is test-optional for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students. We will accept SAT, ACT, and AP scores from the testing agency, from school counselors, or self-reported by the student on the application. IB scores must be submitted by the testing agency or school counselor. International students are still required to submit English language proficiency testing. |
| Bucknell University | Credit/Placement | The Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to earn college credit for qualifying exam scores. A student’s performance on the AP exams will determine whether advanced placement and credit will be granted by Bucknell. |
| California Institute of Technology | Admissions/Holistically | Caltech encourages all prospective undergraduate applicants to prepare by challenging themselves with the most rigorous course of study available, including the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. However, college credit for AP or IB classes is not automatic |
| Carleton College | Credit/Placement | Carleton accepts up to 36 credits toward the Carleton degree from the following: College Board Advanced Placement, Higher Level International Baccalaureate, select British A-level Examinations with grades of B or higher Approved pre-matriculation credits (credits earned in college-level courses taken before graduation from high school or before matriculation at a college or university). These credits may not be applied to distribution requirements. Additional information on transferring college-level work can be found in our Transfer of Credits Policy. |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Credit/Placement | If the pandemic has prevented you from taking your Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam(s), this won't affect your admission decision. AP/IB examinations aren't required for applicants but can be used for credit. |
| Case Western Reserve University | Admissions/Holistically | AP scores, including 3s or better Though not all may be eligible for college credit at CWRU, these test scores can still enhance your application. You can send scores directly to us or self-report them via your portal. |
| Claremont McKenna College | Credit/Placement | Pre-matriculation credit may be granted in addition to four units for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. Students may satisfy up to four total GE requirements through transfer credit, AP, study abroad, or other off-campus programs. |
| Clemson University | Credit/Placement | AP, IB and dual enrollment offerings vary widely from school to school, so we look at your coursework in the context of what was offered at your high school. Future Clemson Tigers shine by accepting the challenge when AP, IB or dual enrollment classes are offered in high school. Visit Transfer Course Equivalency to gauge how many of your AP, IB and dual-enrollment courses translate to Clemson credit, or view the IB Credit Chart and AP Credit Chart to learn more. |
| Colby College | Admissions/Holistically* | Please note: credits shown do not count toward the 128 required for graduation, but can be used for advanced course placement and to satisfy distribution requirements. |
| Colgate University | Credit/Placement | Colgate will continue to offer transfer and pre-matriculation (includes AP/IB/A-level) credits consistent with the practices of previous years. Department chairs may request equivalence modifications and award general institutional credit in some cases.The decision to pursue testing remains the individual choice of each student. We encourage all prospective applicants to pursue a course of rigorous academic preparation. |
| College of the Holy Cross | Credit/Placement | Holy Cross awards credit for Advanced Placement exams taken through the College Board Advanced Placement Program and the International Baccalaureate Program and will accept some Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (A-Level) exams. One unit of credit is awarded for an Advanced Placement score of 4 or 5 in any discipline recognized by the College. One unit of credit is awarded for a score of 6 or 7 on a Higher Level International Baccalaureate Examination in a liberal arts subject. |
| College of William and Mary | Credit/Placement | W&M accepts credit based on AP/IB exam scores and completion of A-Levels. See the W&M Course Catalog for detailed information and our credit PDF for more info on AP/ IB credits for freshman applicants and for transfer applicants. |
| Colorado College | Credit/Placement | Advanced standing credit may accelerate graduation by allowing a student to earn credits from AP, IB, and/or GCE A-Levels towards their 32-unit requirement and may satisfy major requirements with the department's approval. However, accelerated graduation is not mandatory; students are eligible to remain enrolled and receive financial aid for four full-time academic years. |
| Colorado School of Mines | Credit/Placement | Credit for the Advanced Placement program and the International Baccalaureate program is granted to students who receive eligible scores on the designated exam. These scores are used by the registrar to place students in appropriate first-year courses. In some cases, departmental approval is required before credit is granted. Credit is shown as transfer credit on the Mines transcript; however, no grade is associated with the credit. |
| Columbia University | Admissions/Holistically | Advanced Placement (AP) and other optional standardized exam scores are not required by Columbia, but we will accept your results if you choose to submit them in the testing section of your Common Application or Coalition Application. You will not be at a disadvantage in our admissions process should you choose not to take these optional tests or submit the scores to Columbia |
| Connecticut College | Credit/Placement | What's the deal with AP and IB exams? We accept 4s and 5s on certain AP exams and 5s, 6s and 7s on certain IB Higher Level exams. Exam scores that are accepted for credit are applied toward your degree requirements and may count towards your major and/or general education requirements, with departmental approval. |
| Cornell University | Admissions/Holistically | Applicants to Cornell University are not required to submit Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores. Students who have taken AP exams and wish to submit their scores are welcome to do so. Students may use credit they receive from AP exams to satisfy degree requirements only as specified by the individual college or school at Cornell to which they are applying. Although such credit counts toward a bachelor's degree, its primary purpose is to exempt students from introductory courses and to place them in advanced courses. |
| Dartmouth College | Admissions/Holistically | Dartmouth welcomes any testing element a student chooses to share. The SAT Subject Tests, IB, and AP are examples of additional optional testing that some candidates choose to share when available. Not submitting scores will not prevent your candidacy from receiving a full review by the Admissions Committee. Students whose first language is not English and who are not being instructed in English are still required to share the results of an English proficiency exam. |
| Davidson College | Credit/Placement | A maximum of four course credits may be achieved through AP, IB, and joint enrollment courses combined (including courses taken in the summer after high school graduation). If you qualify for more than four such credits, you can change which courses you select later in your career at Davidson. AP credit is awarded for scores of 4 or 5 unless noted below. |
| Denison University | Credit/Placement | Can I get credit for AP, IB, or A-Level Examinations? What about college courses that I took in high school? We hate this answer, but it is the one we have to give. It depends. Start by taking a look at this information provided by our Registrar’s Office. If you have specific questions, we encourage you to follow up at registrar@denison.edu. |
| DePauw University | Credit/Placement | DePauw awards credit for a number of advanced placement and dual enrollment programs, including College Board AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, advanced college, and A Levels. |
| Dickinson College | Credit/Placement | What about my AP or IB test scores? While we will not be reviewing AP or IB scores in the admissions process, we will still award credit and placement based on scores following our current AP and IB credit policies. |
| Duke University | Admissions/Holistically | We value those scores when available as demonstrations of subject mastery to complement your academic transcripts. You should self-report these scores in your application. We will require an official score report from students who matriculate at Duke who wish to use those scores for credit or placement. |
| Elon University | Credit/Placement | Students earning a score of four or better in the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in high school may receive credit in the following fields: art, biology, chemistry, Chinese, calculus, computer science, economics, English composition, English literature, environmental studies, French, geography, German, history, Latin, music, physics, political science, psychology, Spanish and statistics. Official scores should be sent to the Office of Admissions. |
| Emory University | Admissions/Holistically | You are encouraged to self-report AP and IB exam scores on your application, but official exam results do not need to be sent at the time of application. Note: Homeschooled applicants are recommended to submit SAT, ACT, AP, or SAT II Subject Tests in the subjects of the student's choosing. |
| Florida State University | Credit/Placement | Students usually take these tests at the end of their junior or senior year in high school. The scoring scale is 1-5. No credit is allowed for a score of 1 or 2. (Sciences include laboratory credit for Liberal Studies.) Make sure you have requested that this credit be sent to FSU. If you earned AP Credit during your junior year and did not take an AP Exam during your senior year we may not have your scores from last year. Contact The College Board-AP to request the scores be resent to FSU. If you have the test results sent to you from the College Board you may also bring them by the Admissions Office for posting to your transcript. |
| Fordham University | Credit/Placement | Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the following AP examinations may be awarded 3 non-major elective credits. Learn more about Advanced Placement (AP) credit. |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Credit/Placement | Franklin & Marshall College participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. A student who takes an Advanced Placement examination may be given college credit if the subject matter of the Advanced Placement course and examination is comparable to that covered in an elementary course taught by a Franklin & Marshall department. |
| Furman University | Credit/Placement | Students may receive credit that will contribute to the award of the bachelor’s degree at Furman through the transfer of equivalent courses from other regionally accredited institutions or by earning sufficiently high scores on internationally recognized exams offered through your high school, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB). |
| George Washington University | Credit/Placement | Do you accept AP, IB, or college credits taken in high school? Yes, first-year and transfer applicants may earn college credit through AP, IB, or college courses. |
| Georgetown University | Admissions/Holistically | As the College Board discontinued the SAT Subject Tests in 2021. SAT Subject Tests completed before their discontinuation should be submitted to Georgetown. Applicants who participate in an A.P. (Advanced Placement) curriculum are encouraged to submit AP scores to supplement their admissions file. |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Admissions/Holistically | AP, IB, and AS & A Level exams are optional for admission, though they may provide college credit for students who enroll at Georgia Tech. If you have taken any of these tests before you apply and you believe they support your application, you are welcome to report them as described above. |
| Gonzaga University | Credit/Placement | Advanced Placement (AP) is a program of college level courses and examinations for high school students. AP exams are given once each year in May at participating high schools. Gonzaga requirements for granting credit for individual AP subject exams are listed below. |
| Grinnell College | Admissions/Holistically | Grinnell does not require the SAT II (subject test) or AP exam scores of any applicant, but students may still choose to self-report these scores (if available) on their application. It is not necessary to send in official score reports for either of these exams. While these scores may provide the admission counselor reviewing the application file with additional information about a student’s academic talents, please note that neither exam is taken into consideration when making the final admission decision. For information about Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit, please review our current policy in the 2020–21 course catalog. |
| Hamilton College | Admissions/Holistically | Testing you might submit for consideration with your candidacy could include the SAT, the ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP scores, or IB final exams. |
| Harvard College | Admissions/Holistically | Harvard accepts other standardized tests or other academic credentials if you choose to submit them. In any admissions process, additional information can be helpful. For example, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-levels, national leaving examinations, national or international contests, early high school assessment scores such as the PSAT or pre-ACT, or courses taken outside your school during the school year or summer are just some examples of information that could be submitted. |
| Harvey Mudd College | Admissions/Holistically | Students are welcome to submit any AP or IB scores they would like to have considered, and we will review all final IB results once we receive them. Harvey Mudd does not grant credit for AP or IB exam scores. |
| Haverford College | Credit/Placement | Placement and credit are separate issues at the College. High scores on AP, IB or other types of exams can carry transferable credit, which can be used toward fulfilling credit requirements toward graduation. However, high scores on such exams will not automatically assure advanced placement in a particular subject at Haverford. Such placement depends upon judgments made by the appropriate departments based on your placement exams results or interviews with the chair. |
| Hillsdale College | Credit/Placement | Hillsdale College recognizes the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students taking college-level courses in secondary school and performing at a satisfactory level (4 or 5) on the Advanced Placement Examinations will be granted advanced placement and college credit. Please check with a high school guidance counselor for the dates of these examinations. The International Baccalaureate Program is also recognized. |
| Howard University | Credit/Placement | Howard University will accept credits for the AP, IB, CAPE and A/AS-Level exams for transfer credit consideration. All AP and IB scores must be submitted via the testing agency for transfer credit consideration. |
| Indiana University—Bloomington | Credit/Placement | IU awards credit for a variety of College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. With advanced credit, you can enroll in upper-level classes sooner and add a major, minor, or certificate and still graduate in four years. |
| Johns Hopkins University | Admissions/Holistically | If a student has a test score—SAT, ACT, AP, IB, English language proficiency exams, or others—and feels it is reflective of their academic ability, we welcome any testing submission they choose to share. |
| Kenyon College | Admissions/Holistically | SAT Subject, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate results are not required for admission to Kenyon. However, the admission committee will consider results from these exams as a component of your application for admission should you wish to submit them. For questions regarding Kenyon credit granted for results from these exams, please visit the Registrar's webpage. |
| Lafayette College | Credit/Placement | We also honor high performance on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examination. Generally, Lafayette will grant credit and advanced standing for a score of 4 or 5 on the AP examinations (3 for BC Calculus). |
| Lehigh University | Credit/Placement | SAT Subject Tests are not required for admissions, but are recommended as college credit may be awarded for scores of 700 or higher. Please read the Advanced Placement section of the course catalog at www.lehigh.edu/catalog for more details. |
| Loyola Marymount University | Credit/Placement | LMU participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students may be granted credit at the time of entrance into the University for subjects in which they have completed the AP examinations with minimum score of 4. |
| Macalester College | Admissions/Holistically | Results from SAT II subject tests and AP examinations are not required, but Admissions Committee members will consider them if submitted. |
| Marquette University | Credit/Placement | College transcripts, upper level IB scores and AP exam scores (These may be sent at a later time and are not needed for freshman application review.) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Admissions/Holistically | MIT grants credit for a score of 5 on some College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams. It does not grant credit for secondary school courses teaching AP curricula, or partial credit for lower scores. If you take an AP exam more than once, only your higher score will be counted. Credit is automatically recorded when scores are received from the College Board. |
| Michigan State University | Credit/Placement | Students may receive credit through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and International A Level examinations. Strong scores may allow for a course waiver or course credit. All scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency. |
| Middlebury College | Admissions/Holistically | Please note that if you would like us to see any results from Advanced Placement (AP) tests, the best way to submit those results is to self-report them to us in your application or via email, at admissions@middlebury.edu; please do NOT indicate a YES to using standardized test scores if you are submitting AP scores but NOT results from the SAT or ACT. |
| Mount Holyoke College | Credit/Placement | Yes, Mount Holyoke accepts Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits. Grades of 4/5 on AP exams and 6/7 on Higher Level IB exams are eligible for transfer credit. Matriculating students may submit official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office for consideration. |
| New York University | Admissions/Holistically | NYU has one of the most flexible testing policies of any college or university, including an extension of our test-optional policy in the 2021-2022 cycle in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Students who elect to submit testing as part of their application for Fall 2022 admission should submit one of the following: SAT; or ACT; or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; or Three (3) SAT Subject Test scores; or Three (3) AP Exam scores; or Three (3) IB higher-level exam scores if not an IB Diploma candidate; or Other international examinations that show you completed, or if submitting predicted results show you will complete, your secondary education. |
| North Carolina State University—Raleigh | Credit/Placement | AP scores are not required or considered in the review process for first-year applicants*, however, if you would like to receive credit for your AP course, you must submit your AP score from the College Board. *Transfer applicants are encouraged to submit any AP scores for consideration in the review process. |
| Northeastern University | Credit/Placement | Transfer credits are available to students who complete AP or IB exams through high school or college-level courses at an accredited institution. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions facilitates the transfer credit evaluation in partnership with the Northeastern academic departments. |
| Northwestern University | Admissions/Holistically | As in the past, we will treat subject-based external test results (i.e. APs, SAT subject tests, supplemental IBs, etc.) as useful but optional information, knowing these exams and curricula are unavailable to many students around the world. For students whose secondary school completion is contingent on external exam scores, we will continue to require them. |
| Oberlin College | Credit/Placement | Incoming students may receive credit toward graduation for: Successful completion of college-level coursework in secondary school, as measured by performance on the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) examination Work completed in International Baccalaureate (IB) programs |
| Occidental College | Admissions/Holistically | SAT and ACT scores are viewed equally in our process, so students may take either exam and can submit scores from both. SAT II subject tests, AP scores, IB exams, GCSE, IGCSE, and A-level results can also be considered in our review process if you feel they reflect positively upon your academic potential. |
| Ohio State University—Columbus | Credit/Placement | Ohio State will continue to grant college credit under the university’s AP guidelines for scores 3, 4 and 5, recognizing the circumstances under which students will be testing this year. |
| Pennsylvania State University—University Park | Credit/Placement | If you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) tests, you may be able to earn Penn State credit. |
| Pepperdine University | Credit/Placement | Typically, students receiving a "3" or higher on AP tests (a "4" or higher is required for the English exam) will receive credit for AP courses. In regard to IB credit, students receiving a "5" or higher on IB tests (a "6" or higher is required for the English exam) will typically receive credit. |
| Pitzer College | Credit/Placement | Please do not submit AP scores alongside your application as they are not considered for admission decisions. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, you may submit AP scores for potential credit transfer evaluation |
| Pomona College | Credit/Placement | Students entering Pomona College may receive course credit for a maximum of two courses required for graduation. Course credit is awarded to students with scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) exams; for scores of 6 or 7 on Higher-Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams; and for comparable scores on British A-Level exams. Exams based on year-long courses receive one credit; exams based on semester-long courses receive one-half course credit. Credit is not granted for exams that duplicate each other, such as AP and IB English Literature. |
| Princeton University | Admissions/Holistically | Whenever you can, challenge yourself with the most rigorous courses possible, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment courses. We will evaluate the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-levels or another diploma in the context of the program’s curriculum. |
| Purdue University—West Lafayette | Credit/Placement | There are multiple ways you might earn Purdue credit based on scores from testing services: College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP) — tests taken as part of high school AP courses. See Purdue credit for AP Tests. |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Credit/Placement | Credit is granted to many entering freshmen through Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken at high schools. You will need to submit test score reports to our Registrar's Office before registering for classes. |
| Rice University | Admissions/Holistically | AP Exams, IB Exams, or AICE Exams: Students may opt to self-report AP, IB or AICE exam scores in the testing section of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge National College Match Application. These scores show mastery of content knowledge in specific subjects and may be eligible for undergraduate course credit once a student enrolls. |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Credit/Placement | Degree credit is awarded for advanced placement examination scores of 4 and 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations. Credit is not given for grades of 3, 2, or 1. |
| Santa Clara University | Admissions/Holistically | Are other test scores like SAT II Subject Tests, AP exam scores, IB exam scores, A-levels exam scores, etc. required in the admission review process? Santa Clara does not require submission of these scores for admission application evaluation. If students would like to report scores, they have the option to share scores through their Common Application. |
| Scripps College | Credit/Placement | How does Scripps consider AP or IB test scores? The appropriate Scripps academic department will determine waiver of major requirements or placement into advanced courses based upon AP or IB courses and scores. Visit the Registrar’s site for more information. |
| Skidmore College | Credit/Placement | Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), and other testing programs may not count toward all-college requirements. The following departments award credit toward the major: Art, Art History, Economics, History, and Mathematics. Please consult their specific section of the Catalog for details. |
| Smith College | Admissions/Holistically* | Credits are recorded for scores of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement examinations. The credits allotted are determined by the individual department. |
| Soka University of America | Admissions/Holistically* | Soka University of America participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program offered by the College Board to provide greater quality and opportunity for high school students to proceed with their education. Students must submit to the Office of the Registrar official transcripts or reports from the College Board no later than the end of the Sophomore year at SUA for scores to be considered. AP credits are not awarded; however, academic programs and areas may grant placement based on AP results. An on-going policy review takes place annually; therefore, placement based on AP tests and scores is subject to change without notice. Similarly, academic programs and areas may grant placement for college courses taken elsewhere. |
| Southern Methodist University | Credit/Placement | SMU grants credit and placement for scores of 4 or 5 on most AP examinations taken in high school. Six to eight credits will be awarded for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on International Baccalaureate higher-level exams, with a maximum award of 32 credits. For more information, click here. To receive credit for an AP test in high school, arrange for an official copy of your test scores to be sent to SMU's Registrar Office. |
| Stanford University | Admissions/Holistically | Similarly, if you have taken Advanced Placement exams, you are welcome to self-report your scores in the application. |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Credit/Placement | If you are an incoming first-year student, you may be able to receive up to 30 college credits toward your Stevens degree through College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores, International Baccalaureate examination scores (IB), or for college-level courses you may have already taken while you were in high school. |
| Stony Brook University—SUNY | Credit/Placement | AP credit is granted to students who have taken the appropriate CEEB advanced placement examination and scored a 3 or higher. |
| Swarthmore College | Admissions/Holistically | For students applying to Swarthmore in the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 admissions cycles, we have suspended our requirement that applicants submit SAT or ACT scores. Test scores are optional, and students who either did not take a test or choose not to share results with us will not be penalized in the admissions process. You have the option to submit the SAT and/or ACT to us, and you have the option for us to not consider scores already submitted (score suppression). SAT subject tests, along with the writing sections of both the SAT and ACT, are not accepted or considered. AP, IB, and other examination scores are optional in our process. Please think carefully on whether you want to share these results with us in your application. You will not have the option to suppress AP, IB, and other examination scores, so if you submit them, we may use them in our review process. |
| Syracuse University | Admissions/Holistically | Although not a requirement for admission, the best way to academically prepare for college is to take a college preparatory curriculum, including four years of English, science, social studies, and mathematics (through geometry and intermediate algebra), and a minimum of three years of a foreign language. Spring 2020 update regarding AP/IB credit: For juniors and potential applicants not able to take their AP/IB exams, the Admissions Committee will consider their course completion favorably. |
| Texas A&M University—College Station | Credit/Placement | Texas A&M University accepts scores on certain College Board Advanced Placement tests for credit in selected courses. Up to three semesters of credit in a subject area may be awarded. Interested students should contact their high school counselors for information on AP exam registration and test sites. |
| Texas Christian University | Credit/Placement | Through several methods, above-average students may earn academic credit for college-level learning by taking an examination in the appropriate area. Read more about college credit, including TCU’s Advanced Placement, CLEP, Portfolio Assessment, Advanced Standing Examinations, IB, Conference Examinations and Audition Examinations. |
| Thomas Aquinas College | No mention | |
| Trinity College (Hartford) | Credit/Placement | Does Trinity give credit for Advanced Placement exams? Yes. If you achieve a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement exam, you may be granted academic credit and/or place out of certain lower level courses within a given department. Each department handles Advanced Placement in a different manner. |
| Tufts University | Credit/Placement | Students who clearly demonstrate the capacity for upper-level course work will ordinarily be granted credit and advanced standing at the discretion of the department concerned. Any credits received for academic work completed before enrolling at Tufts are considered "credit-bearing pre-matriculation course equivalents," and each is equal to 3 or more semester hours (SHUs). |
| Tulane University | Credit/Placement | To ensure that students experience the breadth of knowledge at the collegiate level, AP, IB, and A Level courses can be used to satisfy proficiency requirements only in Formal Reasoning and Foreign Language. All other credit earned through AP, IB, and A Level courses can count as general electives toward the total credits required for degree. IB scores must come from higher-level exams. Students should have AP score reports sent directly to Tulane from College Board. |
| Union College (Schenectady, NY) | Credit/Placement | AP Test Credits and Course Equivalents Below is a detailed chart showing the Advanced Placement test credits Union College will award students. Students may submit their scores to Union College and receive various credits awarded to them as a result. Each department has different policies and regulations about accepting and processing Advanced Placement scores. |
| United States Air Force Academy | Credit/Placement | When you enter the Academy, you will take several validation tests offered by the various academic departments. We accept scores of 4 and 5 on some AP exams and scores of 5/6/7 on some IB exams in conjunction with core course placement exams that you will take during Basic Cadet Training. AP scores of 3 will be reviewed on an individual basis. |
| United States Military Academy—West Point | Credit/Placement | Are College Board Advance Placement test scores recognized? Yes, along with the results obtained from placement tests in Chemistry, English, Information Technology, History, and Mathematics. |
| United States Naval Academy | Credit/Placement | There are many opportunities for midshipmen to earn validation credit for USNA courses. While the majority of validation occurs during plebe summer, midshipmen may validate upper level courses at other times. To be considered for validation of a course, a midshipman must have one or more of the following: equivalent college level experience elsewhere, high AP or IB test scores as indicated below, and/or good performance on one or more validation test(s). |
| University at Buffalo—SUNY | Credit/Placement | Advanced standing and university credit may be awarded to students who complete college-level work in high school. UB awards credit based on AP exam scores, IB exam scores for certificates and diplomas, GCE exam scores and CLEP exam scores. |
| University of California—Berkeley | Admissions/Holistically | In addition to the basic admission requirements, the campus selects its freshman class through an assessment that includes a holistic review of your academic performance as measured primarily by:Your weighted and unweighted UC grade point average (calculated using 10th and 11th grade UC-approved courses only) Your planned 12th grade courses Your pattern of grades over time The number of college preparatory, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), honors and transferable college courses you have completed Your level of achievement in those courses relative to other UC applicants at your school Your scores on AP or IB exams and SAT subject exams UC Berkeley is test-free, meaning we will no longer use standardized exams (SAT and ACT) in our review process. Subject exams are optional but can still be value added. (Note: Our school code is 4833.) If you report your scores to one campus, they will be shared with every campus to which you've applied. |
| University of California—Davis | Unknown | The University of California recognizes College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations for college credit. AP examinations presented with official scores of 3, 4 or 5 will receive units of college credit and, in specific instances, may be comparable to some lower-division courses. College credit will apply toward the minimum 180 quarter units required for a bachelor’s degree. |
| University of California—Irvine | Credit/Placement | Units granted for AP tests are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for formal declaration of a major or the maximum number of units a student may accumulate prior to graduation. |
| University of California—Los Angeles | Admissions/Holistically | Positive factors can include completing courses beyond the University’s a-g minimums and choosing a strong senior year course load. We also consider performance in honors, college level, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IBHL) courses to the extent that such courses are available to the applicant. To assess achievement levels, we look at individual grades earned and the pattern of achievement over time. We compare an applicant’s achievement to those of others in the same high school. |
| University of California—Merced | Credit/Placement | Elective units awarded may be applied to UC graduation requirements for specific subjects and/or for general education requirements, as determined by each campus. |
| University of California—Riverside | Credit/Placement | Elective units awarded may be applied to UC graduation requirements for specific subjects and/or for general education requirements, as determined by each campus. |
| University of California—San Diego | Admissions/Holistically | If you complete Advanced Placement (AP) courses, we recommend that you complete the related AP examination to demonstrate subject mastery. Similarly, International Baccalaureate (IB) scores can be used to showcase academic mastery. To receive unit credit toward the baccalaureate degree, you must submit an official copy of your AP or IB scores directly from the testing agency. This can be done in the summer following your high school graduation. Other entrance exams taken after high school graduation are not considered. |
| University of California—Santa Barbara | Credit/Placement | Students who earn scores of 3, 4, or 5 on College Board Advanced Placement Examinations taken before high school graduation will receive 2, 4, or 8 units of credit toward graduation at UCSB for each such test completed with the required scores, provided official scores are submitted to the Office of Admissions. |
| University of Chicago | Admissions/Holistically | We accept scores of 5 on most Advanced Placement (AP) exams and of 7 on certain International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher-Level examinations for credit; other scores may be accepted in particular subjects. Learn more about accelerated course credit here. |
| University of Colorado—Boulder | Admissions/Holistically | CU Boulder participates in the Advanced Placement program of the College Board. More than one-third of Boulder's entering first-year students submit Advanced Placement (AP) test scores each year. |
| University of Connecticut | Credit/Placement | Challenging yourself academically through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or A Level (Advanced Level) courses while in high school is an excellent way to begin to prepare yourself for the rigor of college work. UConn provides transfer credit opportunities for AP, IB, and A Level coursework, providing a certain score is achieved on the exam. |
| University of Delaware | Admissions/Holistically | We recommend students submit their SAT or ACT scores if they believe they show their academic potential. Students who choose not to provide test scores have the option to submit any additional evidence of academic skills in areas related to your intended major, particularly if it is math and science intensive. Such evidence may include scores on AP examinations, SAT Subject Tests, or other indications of your interest and ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment. |
| University of Denver | Credit/Placement | The University of Denver grants credit for select Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examination scores as well as previous credit earned through enrollment in college-level courses. Incoming students should submit their AP and IB scores and college transcripts prior to registration so that we can award credit and help place students in the correct courses. |
| University of Florida | Credit/Placement | Students completing approved AP examinations with scores of three or higher will earn UF credit...The UF course credit that students earn depends on their score on each AP exam and whether the credit earned will count for general education and the writing requirement. |
| University of Georgia | Credit/Placement | AP scores are not considered in the application review, but AP courses taken are considered when reviewing rigor of curriculum. Additionally, enrolled students may receive college credit for certain scores on AP tests. You can find more information here: |
| University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | Credit/Placement | College credit is also awarded to degree-seeking undergraduate students who earn a sufficiently high score on the Advanced Placement (AP) Program examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme examinations, A-Level/GCE examinations, or the UIUC Departmental Proficiency Examinations. The AP, IB, and/or A-Level GCE exams must have been taken prior to beginning undergraduate studies. |
| University of Iowa | Credit/Placement | Iowa offers credit for more than 30 Advanced Placement (AP) Program exams. You can earn 3 to 8 semester hours of credit per test, depending on the subject and your score. Have your scores sent to the university. |
| University of Maryland—College Park | Credit/Placement | Credit for AP, IB, A-Level/AS-Level and CLEP is awarded based on the approval of the relevant department offering the course material and is subject to ongoing departmental reevaluation. Even if a student has already been awarded credit for one of these exams at another institution, the credit will be reevaluated by the University of Maryland. |
| University of Massachusetts—Amherst | Credit/Placement | Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT II Tests: UMass Amherst grants advanced standing and/or credit for the College Board AP exams, but these credits will vary depending upon scores and subject matter. |
| University of Miami | Credit/Placement | To have Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program credit hours evaluated, the student must submit an official test result report to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. |
| University of Michigan—Ann Arbor | Admissions/Holistically | Typically, the 11th grade is the optimal time to start taking this course work if it is offered at your school. It’s a good idea to study subjects in which you are confident you will do well while at the same time seeking opportunities to challenge yourself....However, in addition to completing your AP/IB course(s), you must also perform successfully on the exam and earn a high score. Advanced Standing is only granted to students who have high exam scores. |
| University of Minnesota—Twin Cities | Credit/Placement | The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers you the chance to begin college-level studies while you are in high school. Through AP, you can get a jump start on your U of M education. Many high schools offer college-level classes through the Advanced Placement (AP) program. You may also prepare for an AP exam through individual study. AP exams are graded on a five-point scale. If you have scored a three or higher, you may be able to be awarded credits at the University of Minnesota. |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | Admissions/Holistically | We do not require any supplemental test scores. If you think they’re a good reflection of your mastery of the material, you’re welcome to self-report scores from AP, IB, or SAT Subject Tests. You can also receive placement credit for these scores, if admitted. |
| University of Notre Dame | Admissions/Holistically | SAT Subject Tests, AP tests, and IB tests are not required and are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application. They may also be used for credit and placement in the first year program. |
| University of Pennsylvania | Credit/Placement | The University of Pennsylvania may award credit or advanced course standing to students who have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other internationally-recognized examinations. Scores warranting University credit vary by department. |
| University of Pittsburgh | Credit/Placement | The University of Pittsburgh encourages students to challenge themselves while in high school through opportunities like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or A-Level courses. We reward student motivation in the case of AP, IB, and A-Level courses by granting University credit for high achievement on these exams. Students, however, must check with their professional school to verify credit acceptance. |
| University of Richmond | Admissions/Holistically | Students are welcome to self-report Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and international college examinations such as the Gaokao, A-Levels, and Cambridge Admission Testing Service examinations on their application. If you decide to enroll at Richmond, some scores may result in college credit or exemptions. |
| University of Rochester | Admissions/Holistically | Yes. Rochester will continue to review test submissions other than the SAT or ACT and expects to continue offering admission to students whose “other” test results reinforce the overall strength of their application. |
| University of San Diego | Credit/Placement | High school students may take Advanced Placement examinations offered by the College Board. The following table describes the necessary score, credit, and USD course equivalent for each examination. |
| University of Southern California | Credit/Placement | Yes. USC’s AP, IB and A-Level exam credit policies are thoroughly documented on our Registrar’s website. For fall 2021, please note the following, as it relates to temporary measures put into place by the various testing organizations: |
| University of Texas—Austin | Credit/Placement | Impacts "calculus readiness: https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/calculus-readiness and is required for some majors: Prospective freshmen interested in applying to Plan II or Liberal Arts Honors should prepare with a broad and challenging curriculum that includes honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in literature, mathematics (including calculus), foreign language and the sciences during each year of high school. |
| University of Virginia | Admissions/Holistically | Does UVA prefer AP or IB curricula? We do not have a preference for one type of course. We suggest that students take advantage of advanced course options at their high school, regardless of the type of curriculum available. What AP/IB scores do I need to get credit? We generally give credit for scores of 4 or 5 on AP exams and 5, 6, or 7 on Higher Level IB exams. There are some exceptions to this and practices can vary from one school to another. |
| University of Washington—Seattle | Credit/Placement | The UW recognizes AP coursework as a challenging academic program that provides excellent preparation for university study. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams are scored on a scale of 1 – 5. At the UW, scores of 3 or higher are considered for college credit awards or placement into UW courses. The table below shows the UW’s departmental policies for awarding course equivalencies and credits for each exam. |
| University of Wisconsin—Madison | Credit/Placement | The University of Wisconsin–Madison grants advanced credit for the successful completion of college-level course work while in high school and for high achievement on Advanced Placement (AP), GCE Advanced Level (A-Level), Cambridge Pre-U, International Baccalaureate (IB), and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. |
| Vanderbilt University | Admissions/Holistically | Vanderbilt will consider an applicant’s academic record, including rigor of coursework; ACT or SAT scores (if submitted); personal essay; letters of recommendation; the breadth and depth of extracurricular engagement; and other items submitted on a student’s behalf. If students self-report scores from AP exams or SAT Subject tests, these may be considered as part of the review process. |
| Vassar College | Credit/Placement | Vassar awards credit for scores of 4 or 5 on the AP exams and for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on IB Higher Level exams. A maximum of 2 units of pre-matriculation examination-based credits will be awarded. |
| Villanova University | Credit/Placement | Students who achieve a qualifying score in the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams may receive Villanova course credit. Please refer to each academic colleges' policies below: |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Credit/Placement | AP scores are received electronically from the College Board. May exam scores directed to Virginia Tech are received in July. Thereafter, scores are received weekly through August, then every 3-4 weeks. AP/IB Credit can be seen on Hokie SPA within three business days of Virginia Tech receiving the scores. |
| Wake Forest University | Credit/Placement | Scores of 4 or 5 on AP exams generally guarantee that a student will earn credit. For information regarding receipt of AP and IB scores and corresponding credit, refer to the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate policies |
| Washington and Lee University | Credit/Placement | The University Registrar maintains policies for undergraduate credit transfers (AP, IB, GCE, etc). To learn more about how external credits are counted towards your W&L education, please reference the University Registrar's policy on advanced placement. |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Credit/Placement | Most applicants take advantage of honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses, if offered by their high schools. The admissions review takes each applicant's individual context, circumstances, and opportunities into account...Students may also submit additional testing (such as SAT Subject Tests, AP or IB exam scores, or other forms of testing) in addition to, or in lieu of, the SAT or ACT. |
| Wellesley College | Admissions/Holistically | If the opportunity is there, take it! Your junior and senior years of high school are important, and you should enroll in the advanced courses available to you. The Office of Admission is interested in seeing how you have chosen to challenge yourself in your high school program. Advanced courses will not only challenge you in high school, they may also help you get ahead in college. One unit of credit will be awarded for a score of 5 on most AP exams. In addition, the International Baccalaureate diploma, GCE A-Level, and French Baccalaureate diploma programs are well respected and may result in credit. |
| Wesleyan University | Admissions/Holistically | Typically only self-reported (not official) AP scores are available as part of the application. Sometimes AP scores are on a transcript, or students submit copies of AP score reports. Wesleyan may consider AP scores, but grades in AP classes are more critical in our review process. |
| Whitman College | Credit/Placement | AP courses demonstrate a commitment to challenging coursework and are excellent classes to take for college preparation. We do give College credit to students with scores of 4 and/or 5 on the College Board Advance Placement Tests. A score of 5 is required for English (Language and Composition, and Literature and Composition), History (American, European and World), Economics (both microeconomics and macroeconomics), Music Theory, Spanish Language, Biology and Physics C. |
| Williams College | Admissions/Holistically | The submission of SAT subject tests, AP scores, IB exams, A-levels, and language proficiency tests have been optional at Williams for many years and this will continue to be the case. |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Credit/Placement | What about other tests like Advanced Placement, TOEFL and IELTS? Advanced Placement scores are still used by WPI to award credit to enrolling students. TOEFL and IELTS will still be utilized by students for whom English is not their first language. |
| Yale University | Admissions/Holistically | Students who have completed AP Exams, IB Exams, or AICE Exams prior to submitting their applications may opt to self-report scores in the testing section of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge National College Match Application. Students who have completed any of these exams and who feel that their results demonstrate strength in specific academic areas may want to self-report those scores, but reporting them is entirely optional. As in other parts of the application, exam results will be considered as one component among many of a whole-person review process. |
| Yeshiva University | Credit/Placement | Students who have takend the Advanced Placement Examination in high school may qualify for college credit |
