What exactly is a college transfer credit check?

I'm trying to figure out what a college transfer credit check is and how I can get one. Is this something that's typically provided by the college I'm looking to transfer from or to?

A college transfer credit check, also known as a transfer credit evaluation, is a process by which a college or university determines which credits earned at another institution will transfer over and count towards your degree at the new institution. This process often involves comparing the curriculum of the course you took at your original institution to the equivalent course at your new institution. The goal is to ensure that the classes are comparable in content and rigor.

Typically, the institution you are transferring to conducts the transfer credit check. After you've sent in your transcript from your current school, the receiving college's admissions or registrar's office will review your academic history, course by course.

An example might be if you've taken two semesters of Spanish at your current college, the admissions office at the receiving college will review the curriculum of those courses to see if they're equivalent to two semesters of Spanish at their institution. If they determine that they are, you'd likely receive credit for those classes at the new college.

However, it's worth noting that each institution has its own policies regarding transfer credits. Some colleges accept a higher percentage of transferred credits than others, and some may not accept certain credits from junior or community colleges. Thus, it's always a good idea to reach out to the prospective college's admissions office to inquire about their specific policies. It can save time and potentially prevent unnecessary additional coursework.