What YOU Need to Know about AP and CLEP
/
Currently, some of the most common questions I am fielding relate to college admission and credit by exam, particularly, AP/CLEP testing.
What will colleges accept?
Do all universities accept CLEP?
Will all universities take AP scores for credit?
How does a college look upon CLEP?
I speak to rooms full of parents--living rooms conversations to packed convention halls--considering and navigating a home education journey for their middle and high school young adults. When I speak, I remind parents
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to most high school-related questions.
As much we’d like there to be a pat answer to this question, there isn’t. Yes, there are some straightforward generalities, aspects common for college-bound learners; for example, how many high school English credits colleges require. However, when it comes to other facets of admission, like AP and CLEP credits, what’s best for an applicant will vary. Not all universities have the same requirements and not all learners have the same intended major or educational strengths. Like other questions asked by parents of high schoolers, the credit by exam question brings the common answer, “That depends!”
Don't assume.
Some universities are hiring admissions counselors designated to serve home educated students; for example, Bryan College. Those folks are there for you. When there’s interest in a particular college, read the information on the school’s site and then reach out to the staff and ask your questions. Advanced research demonstrates initiative, especially if that interest and inquiry is made by the student. A Dean of Admissions told me student-led research and inquiry is preferred by most colleges and they often track contacts.
Keep a running list of questions and then tailor those to the college of interest. Having a template may help your learner process what he or she may want to ask, especially when it comes to the finer details like credit by exam.
Early research indicates student interest and allows a family to plan well. HOWEVER, though we may do our best to gather information, we must also remember each high schooler will move along the preparation timeline at a different pace. Don’t panic if a course of study isn’t known or if a learner remains indecisive about whether to go away for college or stay close. Time is a gift. Offer that gift and provide support. It matters.
Locating specific requirements for specific exams—AP, CLEP, Dantes, and others—takes time and isn’t always easy. Breathe and scroll down. I’ve provided some stepping stones for you—links to credit by exam requirement pages. As you research, read through the list of exams and scores, carefully. Not every school will accept every exam. In addition, there may be a limit on the amount of credits which will be awarded. If your student's college of interest is not listed below, try
typing CLEP/AP or credit by exam in the search box of the college website.
contacting the homeschool admissions coordinator.
Direct links to information relevant to AP and CLEP are included if they were available. Some links include all accepted credit by exam options. These links are guides. Be sure to bookmark those of interest and continue research based on the unique needs and major of your high school learner. The time could save you unnecessary test preparation and fees.
Agnus Scott College, Decatur, GA (AP only at the time of post)
Appalachian State, Boone, NC (CLEP policy)
Bentley University, Waltham, MA (AP) (no CLEP accepted)
Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME (AP)
Bradley University, Peoria, IL (CLEP)
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Brown University, Providence, RI
Bryan College, Dayton, TN (CLEP and AP on page 64)
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA (CLEP) (AP)
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH
Central Methodist, Fayette, MO (CLEP) (AP)
Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC (CLEP) (AP)
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Emory, Atlanta, GA (No CLEP)
Emory-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Flager College, St. Augustine, FL (AP)
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL (AP, not CLEP)
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL (CLEP) (AP)
Florida International University, Miami, FL (CLEP) (AP)
Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL (CLEP) (AP)
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (CLEP) (AP)
Furman University, Greenville, SC (AP, not CLEP)
Greensboro College, Greensboro, NC
Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
Houghton College, Houghton, NY (CLEP) (AP)
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (CLEP) (AP)
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (AP, not CLEP)
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (AP)
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
LeTourneau University, Longview, TX
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (CLEP)
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Mercer University, Macon, GA (CLEP) (AP)
Messiah College, Grantham, PA (CLEP) (AP)
Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC (CLEP)
Northeastern University, Portsmith, NH
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Ohio University, Athens, OH (CLEP) (AP)
Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, GA (CLEP) (AP)
Patrick Henry College, Purcellville, VA (AP, no CLEP)
Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA (AP)
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (CLEP) (AP)
Reed College, Portland, OR (AP, not CLEP)
Rice University, Houston, TX (AP, not CLEP)
Rollins College, Winter Park, FL (AP)
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah and Atlanta, GA (AP) (CLEP)
Smith College, Northampton, MA (AP)
SMU- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (AP, limited CLEP)
Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stetson University, Deland, FL (AP)
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (AP, limited CLEP)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (AP 2019-2020)
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (AP) (CLEP)
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (AP)
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (AP) (CLEP)
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH (AP) (CLEP)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL (AP) (CLEP)
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (AP) (CLEP)
University of RIchmond, Richmond, VA
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL (AP) (CLEP)
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA (AP) (CLEP)
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Washington and Lee, Lexington, VA (AP)
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
