How do elective credits transfer between colleges?

I'm thinking about transferring colleges but I'm not sure how my elective credits from my current college will transfer over. Does anyone have experience with transferring elective credits? Any advice on what to look out for?

Transferring elective credits between colleges can be a bit nuanced, so I'll try to share some general advice. Keep in mind that the specifics will depend on the policies of each school involved.

To start, each school has its own policies about which credits they accept and how they apply toward degree requirements. Some schools may accept all of your credits, while others might accept only some or even none. It also depends on how closely your courses match with the ones offered at the college you're considering transferring to. The specifics of transfer credit evaluation might even differ within departments of the same school.

One strategy is to look for courses that narrowly cater to your proposed major. Schools are often more willing to accept credits that align with specialized academic programs. Also try to take broad-based, or 'liberal arts' type classes—courses that would be required no matter what major you choose, these are often the easiest to transfer.

It's also worth noting that elective credits might count towards the total credit requirement at your new institution, but not satisfy any specific general education or major requirements. This is basically a 'free elective,' the course contributes to the total credits needed to graduate but not towards any departmental or degree-specific requirements.

Before you transfer, it's crucial to contact both schools to understand how the process will work. Also make sure to keep detailed course syllabi or outlines from your classes, as they can be important for evaluation by the potential new school.

Lastly and importantly, don't get frustrated if some of your credits don't transfer over initially. It's not uncommon for students to appeal decisions about credit transfer, so make sure you're asking questions and advocating for why you believe specific credits should be recognized.

Hope this information helps you plan strategically as you consider your options. Happy course hunting!