How does Amherst College handle transfer credits from community colleges? I'm curious about how many credits might transfer and how that affects my course load if I get in.
Amherst College accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions like community colleges, but the school's policies are stringent to maintain high academic rigor. While evaluating your credits for transfer, the focus is on liberal arts courses comparable to those offered at Amherst.
Typically, Amherst College views a full year of course credits as equivalent to four Amherst credits. Therefore, for a semester course, the conversion would be half, which equates to two Amherst credits. However, transferable credit limits exist. Transfer students entering as sophomores can transfer a maximum of 16 credits, while potential juniors can transfer up to 32 credits.
The transferred credits will go towards your 128 credits needed to graduate but may not fulfill major or general education requirements. That's usually evaluated on a case-by-case basis by departments. It's highly recommended to consult with your academic advisor or registrar at Amherst to understand how these credits can be applied to your course plan.
Remember, when transferring credits to highly selective institutions like Amherst, it's always critical to maintain communication with advisors or registrars at both your current institution and the prospective school to ensure a smooth transition.
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