Earn College Credit
If you take advanced courses in high school or are looking for an extra challenge, you could benefit by taking advantage of early college credit. Gaining credit in one subject, or many, before enrolling could count toward required coursework in college. For example, if you are not planning to continue on in a particular field of study, you may be able to get a requirement out of the way while still in high school. Or, if you want to climb a particular academic track quicker than normal, earning credit will allow you to take a higher-level class earlier.
Illinois offers two options for earning college credit before your first semester.
Advanced Placement / International Baccalaureate
You will receive college credit for earning an acceptable score on Advance Placement (AP) program exams and International Baccalaureate (IB) program exams. Learn what your scores are worth at Illinois.
In Fall 2006, approximately 3,287 entering freshmen (46% of the class) received credit for AP and IB exam scores, earning the equivalent of 45,492 semester hours.
Though some schools offer specific AP courses, taking a specifically labeled AP course is not required to take an AP exam. If you feel prepared enough, you can opt to take an AP exam without having taken the course. Since these exams verify that a student has learned the amount of information equivalent to a college course, the exams are difficult. However, with enough preparation many students perform well.
Dual Enrollment: College credit earned in high school
If you take a transferable college course that exceeds the coursework required to meet Illinois' requirements for admission, you will receive credit. Grades from any applicable college course will be included in your transfer GPA.
If you don't take college credit courses before your first semester, don't worry. It's not required. Plenty of students enter Illinois with no college credit.