How many college credits typically transfer?

I'm thinking of transferring schools and want to know about the average number of credits that successfully transfer. Are there differences depending on the type of course or school? Any tips on maximizing transferred credits?

When you're considering transferring schools, the number of credits that can be transferred largely depends on the policies of the school you're transferring to. For instance, some schools maintain a maximum number of credits they accept from transfer students, while others evaluate on a course-by-course basis.

Typically, most colleges and universities allow for a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 transfer credits. Remember, it's not just about the quantity of credits, but the relevance and applicability of those credits to the specific program or degree you're pursuing at the new institution as well.

Here are a few tips to maximize the number of transferred credits:

1. Mind the Grade: Most colleges require a minimum grade (usually a C or above) for the course to be accepted for transfer.

2. Alignment: Your classes are more likely to transfer if they align with the curriculum at your prospective institution. Courses that are a part of a typical general education curriculum, such as English, Math, or Social Sciences often transfer quite smoothly.

3. Transfer Agreements: Some schools have transfer agreements, sometimes called 'articulation agreements,' with other schools. These agreements allow for seamless credit transfer between the two institutions.

4. Check ACCREDITATION: Credits from regionally accredited institutions are more likely to be accepted than those from nationally accredited institutions.

5. Documentation: A detailed course syllabus can help in the assessment process, as it provides information about the content and level of the class, which can support your case for a credit transfer.

6. Seek Assistance: Speak with the registrar or admissions office of the school you're looking to transfer into. They can provide you with additional guidelines specific to their credit transfer processes.

It's important to begin this process early, as it can take some time to evaluate course equivalency and for decisions to be made. Always keep your college course descriptions and syllabi handy, as they are typically needed for these evaluations.