How do college transfer credits work?

I'm considering transferring to a different college after a year or two. How exactly do transfer credits work? I'm worried that not all of my credits will count, and I might have to retake classes.

The process of transferring credits can vary by institution, but the basics include having a certain GPA (usually around a 2.0 or higher) and completing a credit evaluation process.

When you apply to a new school as a transfer student, you're typically required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions. The admissions office or the registrar's office will then conduct a credit evaluation, which involves reviewing the courses you've completed, the grades you've received in those courses, and the alignment of those courses with the requirements of your desired program at the new institution.

Generally, colleges look for completed courses that align well with their own course offerings. Essentially, they're trying to see if the course you took at your previous institution is equivalent to a course they offer. If there's a clear alignment, the credits are more likely to transfer over.

Bear in mind that even if your credits are accepted, some programs have a minimum number of credits you must complete directly at that institution (also known as residency requirements) to earn a degree there. These requirements can affect transfer students, particularly those who have already completed a significant amount of coursework.

In some cases, the institution you’re transferring to may invite you to appeal if not all your credits are initially accepted. You would then provide further information, like a course syllabus, to demonstrate the course's relevance to your new program.

Also, it's important to note that transferring credits doesn't always mean you won't have to take certain classes. If you're entering a program with specific prerequisite courses or sequences, even accepted transfer credits might not exempt you from these requirements.

If you're concerned about transferring credits, I'd recommend reaching out to the admissions office or registrar of the school you're interested in transferring to. They can provide the most accurate and specific information about their transfer credit policies.