Can I transfer old college credits to a new school?

I'm considering transferring to a new college, but I want to know if I can bring my old college credits with me. Has anyone done this before, and how does it work? Are there specific requirements or paperwork involved?

Most colleges and universities do have a process for transferring credits earned at other institutions. The details, however, can significantly vary from school to school.

When transferring colleges, there are generally three ways your credits might be evaluated:

1. Direct equivalent: The class you took fits perfectly into a requirement at your new school.

2. Departmental elective: The class does not perfectly match any courses at your new school, but it fits into the department.

3. Free elective: The class fills a general education requirement.

To begin the process, you would typically obtain an official transcript from your current institution, which you'll send to the new institution with your application. The admissions or registrar's office will then evaluate your transcript for transfer credits. They'll look at each course you've taken, the number of credit hours, and the grades you received. Not every course may be transferrable, and often, transfer credit is only given for coursework completed with a letter grade of 'C' or better.

Remember to check the institution's policy on the maximum number of credits that can be transferred, as this can sometimes limit how many of your old credits can be brought over. In addition, some programs or departments might require a certain number of credits to be taken in residence, meaning at the institution you're transferring to.

To get specific details, you'd want to reach out to the admissions office or academic advisor at the institution you're interested in. They can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information.