How does class transfer work between New York State community colleges?

I'm attending a community college in New York State and considering transferring to another one within the state. Does anyone know if the credits easily transfer between schools here?

New York State has what's known as SUNY (State University of New York) Transfer Paths, which is designed to ease the college transfer process within the SUNY system, which includes 30 community colleges. Essentially, if you're transferring from one SUNY community college to another, the SUNY Transfer Path ensures that students are able to transfer as juniors into parallel programs at SUNY four-year institutions, as long as you've completed an associate in arts (AA), associate in science (AS), or associate in applied sciences (AAS) degree. The transfer paths ensure that SUNY colleges accept general education requirements and guarantee specific course equivalencies.

When it comes to individual courses, SUNY's "Course Equivalency Database" can provide information about whether or not specific course credits would transfer, though you would need to contact the other community college for a more detailed evaluation.

Though this system should ease the transfer process, it's important to check with both the college you're at now and the one you plan to transfer to confirm what will transfer and what won't. Different programs of study can have unique requirements, and some courses may not have exact equivalents at the other institution. For instance, if you took a unique or specialized course at your current college, it might not directly correlate to one at the new school.

Lastly, remember that grades matter. Maintaining a good GPA is crucial in the transfer process as minimum GPA requirements vary among SUNY colleges. Transfer students should have at least 2.0 GPA, but some programs may require higher GPAs. Always consult with your intended program and the admissions office to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Transferring schools can seem daunting, but the tools and resources available within the SUNY system can certainly help to make the process smoother. Good luck on your academic journey.