How does credit transfer work when transferring colleges?

I'm trying to understand how my credits will transfer if I decide to change schools. Are there specific steps or tools to help make sure my current coursework counts toward my new college?

When transferring colleges, the process of transferring credits can vary across institutions, but generally it involves a few general steps:

1. Understand the transfer policies:

Each college or university usually has specific policies regarding transfer credits. Some institutions will readily accept credits earned from other accredited colleges, while others may only accept credits from courses relevant to your intended major or may have partnerships with specific institutions for easier credit transfer (like community colleges to state universities). It's crucial to research and understand the policies of the institution you intend to transfer to.

2. Request an official transcript:

This step involves asking your current school to provide an official copy of your transcript. This document details the classes you've taken and the grades you've achieved. It's usually sent directly from your current institution to the new one to maintain its validity.

3. Evaluation of Transcripts:

The institution you're transferring to will evaluate this transcript. They'll determine how many of your completed credits are equivalent to courses at their school, and count towards your new degree program. Sometimes, classes you completed at your current institution might not have a direct equivalent at your new school, but they may still count as elective credits.

4. Articulation Agreements:

An articulation agreement is a partnership between institutions that outlines how credits will be transferred from one to another. If your current and intended school have an articulation agreement, the process of transferring credits could be relatively straightforward.

To ensure that your credits will transfer successfully, you can take a few proactive steps:

- Meet with a Transfer Advisor: Both your current school and your intended school likely have advisors specifically for students looking to transfer. They can help guide you through the entire process.

- Course Syllabi: Keeping a copy of the syllabi for the courses you've completed can help in a credit dispute. These can provide proof of what was covered in the course, and help your new institution determine if it’s equivalent to any of their classes.

- Use Transfer Tools: Some schools offer online transfer tools to streamline the process. These tools can give you a general idea of which credits will likely transfer. Tools like Appily's transfer calculator can help you see how many of your credits are likely to transfer to your new institution. As always, it's a good idea to double-check any results you get from these tools with a transfer advisor at your new school.

Remember that while general education requirements are often easier to transfer, it might be harder to transfer credits from major-specific classes since they might not have an equivalent at the new institution. As a result, some transfer students might have to take these classes again or take different ones to meet degree requirements. Additionally, the number of credits that can be transferred might be capped – typically around two years of full-time coursework.