How do college credit transfer equivalencies work?

I'm considering transferring and want to know how my existing college credits will transfer. What are college credit transfer equivalencies, and how do I find out if my classes will transfer?

College credit transfer equivalencies refer to how a course you took at a prior institution is recognized at the school to which you're transferring. Essentially, it's like a conversion system that determines how your previous courses align with those at your prospective college.

The transfer process varies by institution, both in terms of what credits they'll accept and how the credits will be applied towards your new degree requirements.

Typically, if the class you took at your previous college is equivalent to a class at your new institution, you'll receive credit towards that class at the new college. The course must often be similar in content, level, and credit hours. Moreover, colleges might require a minimum grade (typically a C or higher) for credits to be transferred.

To find out if your credits will transfer, you can start by checking the prospective college's website. Many colleges have a transfer equivalency database or a transfer credit guide where you can check how courses from many institutions line up with their own.

If this resource isn't available or if your specific institution isn't listed, you can reach out to the institution's Admissions Office or your academic advisor if you've been assigned one. They may ask you to provide the course catalog or syllabus from your previous school to better evaluate the curriculum's content.

Remember, not all credits will necessarily apply directly to your intended major; some may count as general electives or towards general education requirements. While it's great to bring in a lot of credits, the most important factor is how those credits apply toward your new degree to ensure you're progressing as expected.

Remember that each college has its own policies, so be sure to verify information with the college you are looking to transfer your credits to. You'll want to understand these equivalencies before you transfer so that you know how your academic trajectory might change depending on how your credits are accepted.

For example, if you completed College Algebra at your current institution and it's equivalent to Intro to Algebra at the receiving college, you can anticipate that this credit will count towards your degree at the new school. But if you took an art class that doesn't match any offerings at your prospective institution, it might only count as a general elective credit, or it might not transfer at all. This could potentially change your course plan at the new college, so it's important to know these specifics in advance.