I'm hoping to switch to Boston College and pursue an Economics major while bringing over my current credits. Does anyone know how credit transfer works for their Economics department specifically? Any tips or experiences would be super helpful!
Transferring credits to Boston College, particularly for an economics major, entails a specific process. First, however, it's important to keep in mind that Boston College has a residency requirement where a minimum of 60 credits, including the final 30, must be completed at Boston College.
With regards to your question about the economics department specifically: the department highly recommends that students complete Principles of Economics (EC 131 and EC 132) at Boston College. This is because these two courses form the foundation of the economics major and variations in course content between different colleges can lead to gaps in essential knowledge. Nevertheless, BC may still accept a transfer of these credits if they are from a four-year, accredited institution and the content closely matches their courses.
Micro, Macro, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics are less likely to be transferred due to the variation in course content among different institutions. If these courses are approved for transfer, they are likely to be accepted as general elective credits rather than specific course waivers.
The transfer request process begins by contacting the Office of Student Services at BC with your official transcripts and course descriptions or syllabi. Essentially, the more information you can provide about your past courses, the better. This will help the credit evaluators understand the content and rigor of the courses you have taken.
It's also worth mentioning that course equivalence is established by the department. Therefore, if you're aiming to transfer credits for a specific major or minor, you may want to reach out directly to the Economics department at Boston College to understand their specific evaluation criteria.
In terms of a strategy, aim to provide the maximum amount of information about your previous courses, stay in contact with your transfer counselor/adviser, and be proactive in seeking out the information and documentation you need from your current institution. Always prioritize transferring the courses that cover the core required classes in your major, but be prepared for the fact that not all credits may transfer, and you might have to take some classes again.
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