Master strategic institutional selection and application techniques through comprehensive research of transfer-friendly policies that optimize alternative credit recognition and ensure successful degree completion outcomes.
This is where preparation meets execution. You have organized your credits, researched policies, and built relationships with key staff. Now you must navigate the actual submission process for each type of credit. Small mistakes here can delay evaluation by months or result in lost credits. This lesson provides exact steps for submitting each type of alternative credit to maximize acceptance and minimize delays.
Think of this like assembling a complex piece of furniture - you need all the parts, the right tools, and instructions followed in the correct order. Miss one step or use the wrong part, and the whole thing falls apart. But follow the instructions carefully, and everything comes together perfectly.
The submission process typically takes 2-3 weeks of active work spread over 6-8 weeks total. This accounts for ordering documents, delivery time, and university processing. Starting early prevents last-minute panic when you need credits applied for registration or financial aid.
Even if your AP exams were years ago, these credits remain valuable. Start by recovering your AP number if you have forgotten it. Call College Board at 888-225-5427 with your name, birthdate, and the year you took exams. They can look up your AP number and tell you what scores they have on file.
Order official score reports through your College Board account online, or by calling if you cannot access your account. The cost is $15 per report for standard delivery (7-10 business days) or $25 for rush delivery (2-3 business days). Always use standard delivery unless facing a strict deadline - rush delivery often does not arrive much faster.
When ordering, you need your university's College Board code. Find this by calling your registrar and asking: "What is our College Board institutional code for receiving AP scores?" Write this number down - you will use it for CLEP scores too.
After ordering, College Board sends a confirmation email. Save this email and note the order date. Wait exactly 10 business days, then call your university registrar: "I sent AP scores on [date]. Can you confirm they have been received and are ready for evaluation?" If not received, you can track delivery with College Board using your confirmation number.
CLEP scores require separate action from AP scores, even though both come from College Board. Log into your CLEP account on the College Board website. If you tested recently, scores appear immediately. For older exams, you might need to add them manually using your test confirmation numbers.
Order CLEP transcripts online for $20. You can send scores from multiple exams in one transcript - do not order separately for each exam. Select "Official Transcript" not "Score Report" as some universities only accept transcripts. Use the same institutional code as AP scores.
DSST scores come from a completely different organization. Go to getcollegecredit.com and create an account if you do not have one. DSST keeps scores indefinitely, so even decades-old passing scores remain valid. Order transcripts for $30, which includes all your DSST exams.
Here is a crucial tip: Order CLEP and DSST transcripts on the same day. This helps them arrive together, making evaluation easier for university staff. Include a cover note with your submission: "CLEP transcript ordered [date], DSST transcript ordered [date], both should arrive by [date + 10 days]."
Study.com has the most streamlined process. Log into your account, go to "My Transcript" and select "Send Official Transcript." Choose "Electronic Delivery" and search for your university. If your school appears, electronic delivery is free and arrives in 2-3 days. If not available, choose mail delivery for $12.
Before submitting Study.com credits, print the ACE credit recommendation for each course. Find this in your course dashboard under "Credit Details." These documents prove the academic rigor of courses and help evaluators assign proper credit. Submit these as supplementary documentation.
Straighterline requires email communication. Send your request to transcripts@straighterline.com with subject line: "Official Transcript Request - [Your Name]." Include your full name, date of birth, Straighterline student ID, and exact university mailing address. They charge $30 and typically process within 5 business days.
Sophia Learning transcripts order through your student dashboard. Click "Request Transcript" and choose "Official Paper Transcript" for $10. Electronic delivery is not available for most universities. Sophia includes course descriptions automatically, which helps with evaluation.
Critical tip for all platforms: If your university has a partnership with the platform, mention this in your submission communication: "Please note that [University Name] has an articulation agreement with Study.com. Please ensure the transcript references this partnership." This can trigger automatic acceptance of credits.
PLA requires the most preparation but can yield the most credits. Start by obtaining your university's PLA portfolio guidelines - every school has different requirements. Common elements include: executive summary, detailed resume, narrative essays connecting experience to learning, and supporting documentation.
Write your executive summary as a one-page overview: "This portfolio demonstrates college-level learning acquired through 10 years of management experience at ABC Corporation, qualifying for credits in Management, Human Resources, and Business Communication courses." Be specific about which courses you are challenging.
For each course you want credit for, write a 2-3 page narrative essay. Structure it as: 1) What you learned (theory/concepts), 2) How you learned it (specific experiences), 3) How you apply it (current practice), 4) How it relates to the course (reference syllabus). Use the course description and learning objectives as your guide.
Supporting documentation makes or breaks PLA portfolios. Include: job descriptions showing responsibilities, performance evaluations highlighting achievements, training certificates with hours and topics, work samples demonstrating application, and letters from supervisors confirming your narrative. Quality matters more than quantity.
Submit your PLA portfolio both electronically and in hard copy if possible. Create a professional PDF with bookmarks for easy navigation. For hard copy, use a professional binder with tabs separating sections. Include a table of contents linking claims to evidence.
Dual enrollment credits require transcripts from each institution where you took courses. Start by calling each school's registrar office. Say: "I need to order an official transcript to be sent to another university. I was a dual enrollment student in [year]." They will guide you through their specific process.
Most institutions charge $10-15 per transcript and take 5-10 business days for processing. Always choose "official transcript sent directly to institution" rather than "issued to student." Universities often reject transcripts that passed through student hands, even if sealed.
If the institution closed or merged, do not panic. Contact the state's Department of Education for guidance on obtaining transcripts. They maintain records or can direct you to the successor institution. This process takes longer, so start immediately if this applies to you.
Create a master tracking spreadsheet with these columns: Credit Type, Institution Sent From, Date Ordered, Expected Arrival, Confirmed Receipt, Evaluation Status, Credits Awarded. Update this religiously throughout the process.
Set calendar reminders for follow-up. Two weeks after ordering any transcript, call to confirm receipt. Say: "I'm following up on transcripts ordered on [date] from [institution]. Can you confirm these have been received and logged for evaluation?" Get the name of whoever confirms receipt.
If documents go missing, act quickly. First, confirm the mailing address was correct. Then contact the sending institution for tracking information. If truly lost, most institutions will send a replacement for free or reduced cost if you explain the situation and provide your original order confirmation.
Common problems have standard solutions. If told "we do not have that transcript," first verify they are checking under all possible name variations. Women who changed names often have records under maiden names. Always provide all names used when ordering transcripts.
If electronic transcripts are rejected, this usually means the receiving email was wrong or the system was down. Contact both institutions to verify the correct electronic delivery address. Sometimes registrar@university.edu works when transcripts@university.edu fails.
When evaluations seem stalled, escalate professionally. After 6 weeks with no progress, email: "My alternative credit submission has been under evaluation for 6 weeks. Could you please provide an updated timeline or let me know if additional information is needed? I need to register for next semester and must know which credits have been accepted."
Submit credits in strategic batches rather than all at once. Start with your strongest, most straightforward credits - typically AP and CLEP scores. Once these are accepted, submit platform credits referencing the established pattern: "Similar to my accepted CLEP credits, these Study.com courses represent college-level learning in business subjects."
Time submissions around university schedules. Submit in early May for fall semester application, early November for spring semester. Avoid busy periods like the two weeks before semester start when staff are overwhelmed with traditional transfer students.
Include cover letters summarizing your submissions. For example: "Enclosed please find official transcripts representing 45 alternative credits earned through CLEP (18 credits), Study.com (15 credits), and dual enrollment (12 credits). I am pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration and hope to apply these credits toward general education and business core requirements."
By following these detailed submission procedures, you transform a potentially chaotic process into a systematic operation. Each credit type has specific requirements, but your organized approach ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Your careful tracking and professional follow-up demonstrate that you take your education seriously, encouraging university staff to process your credits efficiently.
Remember that submission is not the end but the beginning of the evaluation process. Your thorough preparation, strategic timing, and systematic tracking position your credits for maximum acceptance. With everything submitted properly, you can focus on planning how to use these credits to accelerate your degree completion.