What should I know about Bristol Community College transfer credits?

I'm startin' at Bristol Community College but aiming to transfer later. How do I ensure my credits will count at another school, and is there a way to check which ones will transfer beforehand?

Transferring credits from a community college to a four-year institution, such as from Bristol Community College, often relies on several factors such as the schools you're interested in transferring to, the courses you've taken, and the grades you've earned in those courses.

First and foremost, always ensure you're enrolled in courses at Bristol that are transferable by speaking with your academic counselor at Bristol to ensure you're taking the right kind of classes. Ask them for advice on transferable courses and whether they'd recommend a specific academic path tailored towards your future transfer goals.

Moreover, when selecting a four-year institution, it's important to research their transfer policies. Many colleges and universities have transfer credit databases, or "articulation agreements," which are essentially agreements between two institutions on how courses will transfer over. Check the potential four-year institution's website to see if they have such a database where you can check if specific courses from Bristol will transfer over. If it's not available online, contact the admissions office at your target school to gather this information.

Another rule of thumb is to focus on achieving solid grades in your classes. Most institutions require a minimum grade (often a C or better) for transfer credits. High academic performance might also help your admission chances at more competitive schools.

Lastly, consider obtaining an associate degree before you transfer. Some schools have "degree completion" agreements where, if you finish an associate degree, the credits from that degree will meet all or the majority of the general education requirements at the four-year college.

Even with all of this, every school is different and the acceptance of credits can vary greatly. That's why it's very crucial to do your research and maintain ongoing communication with both your Bristol academic advisor as well as admissions officials at your target four-year institution, to ensure a smooth transfer process.