I'm thinking of transferring colleges and I'm confused about how my GPA will factor in. Do my grades transfer over, or do I start fresh? How will this impact my application?
In general, when you transfer colleges, your credits will likely transfer over, but your GPA will not. That's because grading scales can vary from institution to institution, and what a 'B' represents at one school may be different from another.
However, it's crucial to note that your GPA from the institution you're transferring from is still very much relevant. This GPA is key to your acceptance at another school because it gives a record of your academic performance at your current institution. Admissions officers will be able to see your accumulated GPA and use it as part of the evaluation process for your application.
Once you're accepted and you begin your journey at the new school, you typically start with a new GPA - a blank slate. You establish your new GPA based on the classes you take at your new institution.
It's also worth mentioning that the process of transferring credits varies by institution. Some schools might not accept certain credits, which means you might have to retake certain classes. This could impact your academic plan and time to graduation, so it's crucial to understand your prospective school's transfer policy as early as possible.
To summarize, while your GPA doesn't technically physically 'transfer' or continue at the new institution, it's a key facet of your transfer application. Once you're admitted, your GPA at your new institution will start anew. Still, the credits you've earned, assuming they're accepted by the new school, count towards your graduation requirements.
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