Do your grades transfer when you move colleges?

If I decide to transfer to a different college, what happens to my current grades? Are they factored into my new GPA, or do I start fresh? I'm a bit worried about how this might affect my academic record.

When you transfer colleges, your grades from your previous institution will not be factored into your new GPA at your new institution. You essentially start with a clean slate, GPA-wise. This will vary, however, from school to school, so it's always a good idea to check with your new college's transfer policies.

Even though your old grades won't factor into your new GPA, they still matter. For one, they're part of your academic record, which will be reviewed during the transfer admission process. Strong grades can greatly enhance your chances of being accepted as a transfer student. Furthermore, many colleges require certain GPA standards for the credits you're hoping to transfer. For instance, many institutions won't accept credit for courses in which a student received below a C.

Moreover, it's important to note that while your new school will give you credit for classes you've taken at your old school, the exact amount of credit you get can vary. Sometimes, a three-credit class at your old school will transfer to a four-credit class at your new school, or vice versa. The new institution's registrar will typically evaluate your transcript and determine which of your credits can be transferred and how they equate to courses at their school.

In short, while your grades won't carry over in terms of calculating your new GPA, they still are an important part of the transfer process and can influence the acceptance of your transferred credits. So, maintaining good grades is essential even when considering a college transfer.