Transferring vocational school credits to community college

I'm currently in a vocational school and thinking about switching to a community college. Are there any chances my credits will transfer, or will I need to start over? Would love to hear if anyone has dealt with this before.

Generally, it is possible to transfer credits from a vocational school to a community college, but the specifics depend on the policies of the schools involved and the similarity between the courses. The first step you should take is to reach out to the community college's admissions or academic advising office. They can provide detailed information on their credit transfer policies, including any partnerships they may have with vocational schools.

When evaluating potential credits for transfer, colleges typically look at the equivalence of the course content and learning outcomes, accreditation of the sending institution, and the grade you received in the course. Ultimately, it's the receiving institution that decides on credit transfers, and they may require you to submit your vocational school transcripts and course syllabi for evaluation. This process can take some time and may require some follow-up on your end.

In some cases, you may receive elective credits for the coursework completed at your vocational school, even if the specific course does not have an exact counterpart at the community college. This, along with any other transferred credits, can shorten the timeline towards achieving your degree.

Keep in mind that some courses, particularly those unique to the vocation you're studying, may not transfer if they don't align with the programs offered by the community college.

Check if your vocational school and the community college have an articulation agreement. This is a pre-existing agreement that outlines how credits from one institution will transfer to the other, making the process smoother.

Remember, each case is unique, so it's important to have open communication with both your current vocational school and potential community college to fully understand this process.