How does a college transfer tool help the transfer process?

I've seen mentions of a college transfer tool online. Can someone explain what exactly it does and how it assists in making the transfer process smoother between colleges?

A college transfer tool, also sometimes known as a transfer equivalency tool, is typically an online resource provided by many universities to help prospective transfer students navigate the process of transferring credits between institutions. The main objective of these tools is to simplify the process and make it more transparent for students seeking to shift from one institution to another.

Here's how it generally works: You enter the courses you've completed (or are planning to complete) at your current institution into the tool, and the tool then indicates how these courses would translate if you were to transfer to a specific university.

For example, let's say you've completed a course in 'Introduction to Statistics' at Community College A, and you're hoping to transfer to University B. With the transfer tool, you could see if University B would accept your Introduction to Statistics course for their similar course, which perhaps they call 'Introductory Statistics'.

This way, you get a sense of whether and how your courses will be credited to fulfilling degree requirements at the other college. This can help you plan your coursework and anticipate the timeframe you'll need to complete your degree after transferring.

These tools also assist you in avoiding taking unnecessary courses or repeating courses upon transfer, thereby potentially saving you time and money.

However, please do keep in mind that the estimates provided by the tool are not always 100% accurate. You should always cross-verify your eligibility for transfer credits by contacting the admissions office or your potential new department at the prospective institution.