How do you know if college credits transfer?

I'm starting at a community college, but I want to transfer later. How can I check if my credits will transfer to a 4-year university? Any tips or resources would be appreciated!

Transferring college credits can be a bit of a complex process since it varies based on the schools involved. But here are some general steps you can take to check if your credits from a community college will transfer to a four-year university:

1. Reach out to the Admissions Office or Transfer Center at your desired four-year institution: These offices will have the most accurate and updated information on transfer policies. They may be able to give you a general idea of how credits typically transfer from your community college.

2. Check the Four-Year University's Transfer Credit Policy: Often, schools will have a transfer credit policy posted on their website. This will give you a sense of which credits may transfer and what scores you need to achieve. Some even have transfer credit databases or calculators which allow you to input your community college courses and see how they would transfer.

3. Use Transfer Equivalency Databases: Some state-level education systems or individual schools have developed transfer equivalency databases. These databases can show you what courses from your community college match up with courses at the four-year university. An example would be Transferology.

4. Speak with an academic advisor at your community college: They often have insight into how past students' credits have transferred, as well as established relationships with four-year universities, particularly in your state.

5. Course Syllabus Assessment: If you're unable to find information about a specific course, you can also provide the syllabus of the course to the four-year institution. They may evaluate it to determine its transferability.

Always remember to keep a record of your syllabi and course work, especially for major-related courses, because they may prove useful when you're trying to get your credits transferred. It's also beneficial to plan early as it ensures the courses you take will align with your intended four-year degree.