must be a current student to get CLEP credit

[clep3705]

The University of Houston requires that a person be currently enrolled if AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST credit is awarded. They don't publish that, but they do enforce it.

This policy makes a certain degree of sense. It takes time and resources to post exam credits. If a person isn't a student, the school can make a case for not exerting the effort.

However, I find this reasoning flawed. For example, if a person wants to enroll in a course for which a CLEP credit is a prerequisite, it's not possible to register for the course until the credit is posted to the transcript. It's a catch-22. You need the credit to become an enrolled student, but you can't get the credit until you are an enrolled student.

There are probably other schools with similar policies. Another unpublished University of Houston policy is that the student must fill out a form requesting that the CLEP exam credit be posted to the official transcript. It just doesn't happen automatically.

The University of Texas at Arlington requires that students fill out a specific form in person. It's a duplicate form (used to be called carbon paper), not a downloadable document. I don't live in the area and had to get special permission granted for them to (1) mail me the form and (2) have them process a form that was mailed to them.

The lesson here is do not assume that you'll get credit when your passing scores are transmitted to a school.

[MA2]

Makes sense from the schools standpoint. One of the local schools I applied to would evaluate my military transcripts until I was registered for classes. I can see why, I can imagine in a military heavy area like where I live, that lots of students send their transcripts there and never actually attend.

[cassiemodo]

I was *just* searching for something exactly like this. Maybe. I think. I'm confused.

I am not enrolled in a school at this time but know generally what combination of CLEP/DSST tests I need and would like to begin taking tests as my budget allows. Our local test center is through the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I'm hoping someone with experience can help me decipher their CLEP credit policy.

The website reads, "You must have a degree seeking status for your results to be put on your transcript at UAA." Which seems pretty straightforward - seems like I could take the CLEP, and since they keep the results for 20 years, do a transcript request from CLEP to the school I choose when I'm finally regsitered at a school.

But it also reads, "...CLEP exams are accepted for review by the University of Alaska Anchorage. Students are eligible only if they are admitted in a Associate/Bachelors Degree program or Pre-Baccalaureate Certification program. Please verify your admission status before ordering test scores."

I'm wondering if that second bit means I have to be enrolled at UAA in order to take the CLEP and earn credit?

Or the enrollment verbiage only apply if I need to earn UAA credit?

Thanks for any guidance. I know this may seem pretty basic, but I'm pretty overwhelmed and afraid I've thought myself backwards on this one.

[cookderosa]

Ok, this isn't anything to get excited about. Here's why:

CLEP (The College Board) isn't a college, and therefore can't award credit. They provide a test. You can be any age, not a student, and Joe Public can take a test.

ACE (American Council Education) is an evaluator of activities to determine their credit-ability. They are just evaluators. So, schools can choose to ignore ACE, and sometimes they do. BUT, in cases of CLEP, they are very familiar with The College Board (SAT and AP also) and so will follow the ACE suggestion for awarding credit. ACE isn't a college, and they can't award credit. They evaluate activities and make recommendations.

Colleges- they are the only ones by STATE LAW allowed to award credit. So, unless a college says you have 3 credits for your psych CLEP, you don't actually have 3 credits. This is why you'll see different procedures for scores, or acceptance of certain exams. Each college will decide which (if any) ACE evaluations they want to accept, and which (if any) of the provider companies they will accept. (including ALEKS, etc..)

So- technically, even at TESC, you don't have any credit until/unless you enroll.

In the specific instance of a CLEP meeting a course pre-req, your advisor can tell you if the college accepts that as a pre-req, and if they do, the process is for you to contact The College Board and get your official CLEP transcript and then it will be added to your file. Remember it's the college that decides, not ACE or CLEP. Also, not a prior college. If you put an Intro Biology CLEP on a TESC transcript so you can meet a prereq for Anatomy and Physiology at your community college, you'll find that you will go right back through the process of getting an official CLEP transcript. Third party transcripts are never official and never count.

Finally, don't be shocked if a college charges you $ to bring that credit in. Many schools (including the community college I work for) charge $$$$ making you think twice. In fact, we charge $9 per credit transferred in from EVERY source. :puke: Top that with our $20 admin fee for you to sit the exam, and a basic Intro Psych CLEP now costs you $127 to attempt. Like in the case you talked about, we only evaluate prior credit for students who file a form asking for a credit eval and also enroll. Like almost everything, there are ways around it, but anyway.....

Don't get too excited that they want you to enroll. Thank them for their time and just keep taking your tests following your degree plan closely. When the time comes, you'll just request one official transcript $20 from The College Board and you'll be good to go.


EDIT: I forgot to add, your scores are ROCKIN by the way! Nice work!!

[clep3705]

If you put an Intro Biology CLEP on a TESC transcript so you can meet a prereq for Anatomy and Physiology at your community college, you'll find that you will go right back through the process of getting an official CLEP transcript. Third party transcripts are never official and never count.

That is usually true, but not always. Lone Star College awarded me CLEP credits from scores sent directly to them. After my official Lone Star transcript was sent to the University of Texas at Arlington and San Jacinto College, they gave me credit for what I CLEPed out of at Lone Star College. Transfer credits for courses actually taken transferred as TRA and CLEP credits that transferred were recorded as TR.

[cookderosa]

That is usually true, but not always. Lone Star College awarded me CLEP credits from scores sent directly to them. After my official Lone Star transcript was sent to the University of Texas at Arlington and San Jacinto College, they gave me credit for what I CLEPed out of at Lone Star College. Transfer credits for courses actually taken transferred as TRA and CLEP credits that transferred were recorded as TR.

before I answer, did you earn a certificate, diploma, or degree at Lone Star?

[clep3705]

before I answer, did you earn a certificate, diploma, or degree at Lone Star?

I did not. The point is that it isn't wise to generalize one school's policies to another's. Mistakes happen when assumptions are made instead of making decisions based on specific knowledge of the policies currently in place at the school of choice.

Adding to my example, Houston Community College would not accept CLEP credits for transfer that were on a Lone Star College transcript. Same circumstances, same timeframe, different outcomes.

[cookderosa]

I did not. The point is that it isn't wise to generalize one school's policies to another's. Mistakes happen when assumptions are made instead of making decisions based on specific knowledge of the policies currently in place at the school of choice.

Adding to my example, Houston Community College would not accept CLEP credits for transfer that were on a Lone Star College transcript. Same circumstances, same timeframe, different outcomes.

You're right. I really need to get a clue.

[NAP]

It is true that each person needs to take responsibility to check the policies at their school, since each school makes their own rules.

Jennifer - I love it when you tackle the tough policy questions that are asked on this forum! I have learned so much, and I know you have saved many people from making some big mistakes. Thank you for taking so much of your time to help us through the maze of college policies!

[cookderosa]

It is true that each person needs to take responsibility to check the policies at their school, since each school makes their own rules.

Jennifer - I love it when you tackle the tough policy questions that are asked on this forum! I have learned so much, and I know you have saved many people from making some big mistakes. Thank you for taking so much of your time to help us through the maze of college policies!

Thanks. 500 words and the op wants to debate the validity of 3rd party transcripts? hilarious There is nothing to debate. I'll mail someone a dollar and a plate of cookies if they can find me ONE regionally accredited college that accepts 3rd party transcripts.

**not sure where this thread derailed**