How do colleges decide which classes transfer?

I'm planning to transfer to a new college and need to understand how they decide which of my classes will transfer. Do factors like the school I'm coming from or the grades I've received play a big role in this decision?

In most scenarios, colleges decide course equivalencies based on a few key factors. They usually look at the course level, content, grade received, and the accreditation status of the institution where the course was taken.

Firstly, colleges typically only consider courses taken at regionally accredited institutions for transfer. There are six regional accrediting bodies in the U.S., and if your college is not regionally accredited, it is considerably less likely that another institution will accept your credits.

Secondly, colleges will look at the course content to see if it is equivalent to a course that they offer. They would cross-reference the course syllabus, and sometimes even specific coursework, to check for course identicalness. You may be asked to provide your syllabi from previous courses for this verification process.

Thirdly, the grade you received in a course can definitely impact its transferability. Many institutions require that you get a C or higher in a course for it to be considered for transfer credit. If you didn't pass a course or barely passed, it's less likely to transfer.

In addition, most colleges do not allow certain types of courses to transfer. For example, remedial or developmental courses typically do not count towards transferable credits. Similarly, courses that are not a part of the college's standard course offerings might not transfer.

It's important to note that each college has its own specific policies regarding transfer credits, and it's always a good idea to speak with an advisor from your prospective institution to understand better their process and requirements.