How many credits can I transfer to a college?

I’m planning on transferring to a 4-year college after completing some community college courses. How do I find out how many credits will transfer and what is typically accepted?

The transfer of credits can vary significantly from one institution to another. Normally, colleges have a maximum number of credits they allow a student to transfer in. This maximum is typically about 60-70 credits for a bachelor's degree, which is equivalent to about 2 years of full-time study. But some colleges might accept more, while others might accept less. The specific number of credits they accept could depend on the type of degree program you are transferring into.

But knowing the maximum number of credits a school accepts is just one part of the equation. Another crucial factor is whether the college will accept the specific courses you've taken at community college. Some courses might not be considered equivalent to any courses at the 4-year college, in which case those credits would not be transferable.

The best way to figure out how many of your specific credits will transfer is to talk to an admissions counselor at the 4-year college where you intend to transfer. They can give you information about their specific credit evaluation process. You can also try to look on the college's website – many schools have databases where you can check how previous courses from your community college have transferred.

Moreover, if you're currently at a community college, you might want to reach out to your academic advisor. They should be able to provide guidance based on past students' experiences transferring credits. Also, some community colleges have articulation agreements with 4-year colleges, which guarantee the transfer of certain courses or programs.

As an example, let's say you're a student at a community college in California and you're hoping to transfer to a UC school. You could use the ASSIST website, which is an online student-transfer information system that shares what course credits are transferable between California Community Colleges and Universities.

Finally, remember that even if a credit doesn't transfer as equivalent to a specific course, it might still count as an elective credit towards the total credits needed for graduation.

Remember, it's incredibly important to start this process early so you can plan your community college coursework around what will ultimately transfer and get you closer to your degree.