How do I transfer my college credits to a new school?

I'm thinking about switching colleges and was wondering how to transfer my existing credits. What steps do I need to take to make sure they carry over? I'm a bit worried about losing credits.

Transferring college credits can be a bit of a process, but don't worry, it's totally doable. Here is a step by step guide that can help you with this:

1. Research Transfer Policies: Start off by researching the transfer policies of the school you're interested in transferring to. Familiarize yourself with their minimum GPA requirements for transferred classes, the school’s accreditation (regional accreditation is generally preferred over national), and how many credits they usually accept. Most accredited colleges accept credits from other similar colleges.

2. Check Course Equivalencies: Some colleges offer course equivalency tools on their websites that let you see how credits from your current school would map to their classes, or you can speak to the transfer advisor at the prospective college.

3. Talk to Your Counselor: Reach out to both your current school and the school you want to transfer to. Connect with a guidance counselor or registrar at your current school and ask them about the transfer process. Also, talk with an admissions or transfer advisor at your potential new school to confirm what credits they accept and what steps you need to take.

4. Request Transcripts: You’ll need to request official transcripts from your current school. There might be a fee accompanying this request, which can typically be done online.

5. Submit Your Application: Just as you did when first applying to college, you'll need to submit an application to the school you're transferring to. Make sure to meet all the relevant deadlines!

Remember: not every credit may transfer over, especially for specific major or course requirements. It's best to consider this ahead of time to plan out your path and to avoid losing valuable time and money.