I'm considering transferring to Art Center College of Design, and I'm curious about how transfer credits work. How does the school determine which credits from other colleges will be accepted?
Art Center College of Design, like many other institutions, has a formal process for evaluating transfer credits. However, they don't publish an explicit list of what is or isn't accepted from every school. Instead, each transfer application is reviewed individually.
The college will assess your previous coursework and compare it to the curricula of the programs you're interested in. This is to determine if your completed courses align with the course content and rigor at Art Center College of Design. Courses that match well are more likely to transfer.
You should also be aware that course credits must come from an accredited institution, typically with a minimum grade of 'C' or higher. Furthermore, the college often prefers to see coursework completed within the last five years.
While liberal arts and sciences and other general education courses may be transferred, the college primarily focuses on studio-based education. Thus, the school places a heavy emphasis on portfolio review as part of its transfer process, which can impact how many of your existing credits will apply towards your degree there.
Finally, you should reach out to the Office of Admissions at Art Center College of Design for specific transfer questions. They can give you the most accurate and up-to-date information. A one-on-one conversation allows them to tailor the information to your specific situation and the classes you have taken.
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