Transferring national university credits to another college

I'm thinking about moving to a different college from my current national university. How smooth is the credit transfer process, and are there any tips for ensuring I don't lose too many credits?

The process of transferring credits can vary from one institution to another, but a few key steps can help smooth the process.

1. Understanding Policies: Look into the specific credit transfer policies of the college you're interested in. Some colleges might be stricter in accepting transfer credits, especially for certain programs or majors.

2. Transcript Evaluation: Colleges typically conduct a transcript evaluation to determine which credits will transfer. Look for agreements between schools, such as articulation agreements, that can make this process easier.

3. Early Conversation: Start a conversation with an advisor or a representative from the new college's admissions department as early as possible. They can guide you through the process and might offer advice for steps you can take to ensure more of your credits are accepted.

4. Course Descriptions: When having your credits evaluated, supplying syllabi or detailed course descriptions can be useful. This can help the new institution determine if the learning objectives of the courses you took align with their own.

5. General Education vs Major-Specific: General education classes are more likely to transfer over, while major-specific courses might be harder to get credit for, especially if your new college has a highly structured curriculum for that major.

Remember, even if some credits don’t transfer in a way that covers specific course requirements, they can often still transfer as elective credits. The most crucial point is being proactive and making sure you're not taken by surprise after the transfer.

Just a side note: Be aware of how your GPA will transfer. Many institutions will not transfer your GPA along with your credits. Instead, you may start with a fresh GPA at your new institution. And yes, you have to send all of your transcripts from each previous institution you've attended when you apply to the new college. That way, they can evaluate all of your earned credits, not just those from your current national university.