How do grades transfer from community college to university?

I'm planning to transfer from a community college to a four-year university and I'm curious about how grades transfer over. Do grades automatically move across or is there a process to make this happen?

When you transfer from a community college to a four-year university, your credits -- not your grades -- generally make the journey across. Your previous coursework is usually recognized in terms of credits earned towards graduation, but the specific grades you received in these classes will not directly affect your GPA at the four-year university.

Essentially, at many universities, transfer students show up with a clean slate when it comes to GPA. However, the grades you earned at the community college are still important. These grades were a factor in your admittance and they may also impact certain things like the ability to compete for academic honors.

Having said that, it's always a good idea to get more information directly from the admissions or registrar's office of the university you're planning on transferring to. Procedures can vary somewhat from school to school so there could be specific guidelines or practices that apply at your chosen university. For instance, some universities may include transfer credits in the calculation of honors designations at graduation, even if these credits do not impact your on-campus GPA. Others might have department-specific rules about the transfer of grades.

In short, while your actual grades don't typically transfer, the GPA you achieved at your community college can influence your admission decisions and eligibility for certain programs or honors at your new university.