How do Harper College transfer courses work?

I'm thinking about taking some classes at Harper College before transferring to a four-year university. How does the process for transferring courses work? Are there any specific requirements I should be aware of?

Transfer courses from community colleges like Harper College generally work in a manner where you earn credits for courses that are then later transferred to a four-year institution. This is contingent on the four-year institution accepting those credits. In general, general education courses (math, science, English, etc.) are more easily transferred because they’re largely standard across many institutions.

However, the process may vary from one four-year institution to another, so it's a good idea to identify which institution you plan to transfer to. You should reach out directly to the admissions offices or check the websites of the schools you are considering. They will have the most current information on their transfer policies.

Harper College also likely has resources to assist you with this transfer process. There are usually staff members who are specifically dedicated to transfer students and they can provide information on which credits have typically transferred to different institutions, as well as any additional steps you need to take to ensure your credits are evaluated properly by your intended school.

A point to consider is whether your intended major at your four-year institution has specific pre-requisite courses that you could take at Harper. Often times, major-specific courses can be more difficult to transfer. This is another topic you can discuss with both Harper and your four-year institution's advisors.

Finally, keep in mind that grades usually don't transfer, just the credit, so your GPA generally starts fresh when you get to your new school. That said, the grades you earn at Harper will still be important, since four-year colleges will look at your transcript as part of their transfer admission process. All the best with your studies at Harper College and your future transfer!