I'm thinking about transferring colleges and I’m curious about how my GPA will be affected. Does it completely reset, or do my grades carry over in some way? Any info about this would be super helpful!
When you transfer colleges, your GPA from your previous institution generally does not directly transfer over. Each institution uses its own grading scale, so it often isn't possible to convert your GPA directly from one scale to another. Therefore, you'll need to start with a fresh GPA at your new school based on the grades you earn in your courses there.
That being said, your grades from the previous institution(s) are still relevant and not completely forgotten. The accumulated GPA from your previous school(s)—along with your college transcript—will still be used by graduate programs, employers, and for certain honors, because they're interested in your entire academic record.
In terms of credits, it varies from college to college. Some schools accept the transfer credits but do not include the grades into your new GPA. Some might consider the grades for transferred credits especially in pre-requisites or major-related courses.
In any case, it is important to speak with your prospective school's Registrar or academic advising office about how transferring will affect your GPA and if they include the transfer credits into your new GPA. This can help clarify how your new school approaches transferred students' GPAs and can help you plan accordingly.
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