DSST testing advice (for beginner)

[audpants]

Hi ya'll!

I am so sorry for the BASIC questions I am about to ask, but I am brand new at this and have been poking around the forum and just can't seem to find the general information I'm looking for.

My daughter is 16 and interested in starting credits toward her Bachelors degree. We are a Navy family and interested in her taking DSST exams. She does not have a high school diploma or GED yet.

From my previous research, I gathered that Excelsior, Thomas Edison or Charter Oaks are the best colleges for this.

(She is interested in Fine Arts- which I'm not even sure is an option at any of these place.?)

However, the main question that I can't seem to get to the bottom of is:

Can we just schedule and start DSST or CLEP testing and later "transfer" them into one of these schoolsl? OR does one have to first be admitted to the school, and then begin the testing and it automatically gets sent there???‍♀️ I'm so sorry, I just don't understand how this works. Like if there is a third party involved, or how to get started.

I would love any advice that anyone could share with us!

Thank you!