First Year Students
All first-time college students and all students who transfer to the College with 27 or fewer credits are considered first year students. Alternative credits, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, concurrent enrollment, or dual-enrollment credits, are not considered transfer credits. Although these types of credits may allow a student to enroll in the College with advanced standing, they do not count toward the 28 transfer credits that would allow a student to complete less than the full PEAK curriculum.
Transfer Students
Transfer students are all student who submit qualified transfer credits. As noted above, transfer students with 27 or fewer credits are considered first year students and must take the full PEAK curriculum.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are any college credits earned after graduation from high school. Alternative, concurrent, and dual enrollment credits will not be counted as transfer credits. Credits earned at regionally accredited colleges or universities will be evaluated by the Registrar's Office, and credit will be given in accordance with College policy only after a student has been accepted. In general, credit will be accepted for courses that are comparable to courses in our curriculum. Accepted transfer credits and GPA will aid in merit determination for transfer students. Any discrepancies between final transcripts and those presented at the time of admission will be reviewed by the Vice President for Enrollment Management and could result in changes to financial aid awards and/or violations of our Honor Code.
Alternative Credits
Alternative credits are any credits earned prior to the date of high school graduation, including those eared through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, concurrent enrollment, or dual enrollment. Alternative credits are not considered transfer credits. Although alternative credits may apply toward the 124 credits required for graduation, they do not count toward the 28 transfer credits that would allow a student to complete less than the full PEAK curriculum. Students entering the College with only alternative credits are considered first year students. Students must initiate the acceptance of alternative credit with the Registrar's Office. Alternative credit toward program and/or graduation requirements will be determined on a course-by-course basis.
The College of Idaho accepts a combined total of up to 30 semester credits as alternative credit. Concurrent or dual enrollment credit is given based on a grade of C or better, while AP and IB credit is determined by the exam score.
PEAK for Transfer Students
The College of Idaho accepts up to 70 transfer credits from accredited community colleges and up to 90 transfer credits from accredited four-year colleges and universities. The College accepts only those transfer credits earned with a grade of C or better.
Students are expected to shape their course of study while working with their advisors, according to the expectations of the PEAK curriculum.
- Students who transfer to the College with 60 or more semester credits (Junior standing or above) are required to complete a major and minor covering at least two Peaks, with additional Liberal Arts experience planned with the advisor. Transfer students admitted with Junior standing or above must complete 3 credits during at least one Winter term.
- Students who transfer to the College with 28 to 59 semester credits (Sophomore standing) are required to complete a major and minors covering at least three of the Peaks, with additional Liberal Arts experience planned with the advisor. Transfer students admitted with Sophomore standing must complete 6 credits during at least two Winter terms.
- All first-time students and all students who transfer to the College with 27 or fewer credits are expected to complete the full PEAK curriculum of at least one major and three minors.