How to Get a College to Accept Transfer Credits

I'm worried about losing credits when I transfer to a new college. What steps can I take to ensure my current credits transfer smoothly and are counted towards my degree?

One of the first steps in ensuring credits transfer smoothly is understanding what constitutes transferable credits. Here are some general strategies to consider:

1. Understand transferable credit rules: The type of class (general education, pre-requisite, etc.) and the grade you earned can impact whether the credit transfers. Grades below a C may not be accepted.

2. Pre-Transfer Advising: Before you transfer, speak with an advisor at the new college. You may want to discuss your planned major and ask them about the transfer process. They can often tell you exactly which of your credits will transfer.

3. Transcript Assessment: Request an official evaluation of your transcript from the new college. This will let you know how many of your credits will be accepted.

4. Articulation Agreements: Check for articulation agreements between your current college and the one you're transferring to. These agreements indicate that the colleges have an established partnership and credits transfer more seamlessly.

5. Course Syllabi: If they need to assess course content, schools might ask for syllabi of your completed courses. Be sure to keep a copy of all your course syllabi to ease this process.

6. Complete an Associate Degree: Depending on your location and the schools in question, completing an associate degree before transferring to a four-year college may allow you to transfer your credits as a full block rather than course-by-course.

7. Review your chosen college's policy: Every college/university has a unique transfer policy, so it’s important to understand and follow these guidelines.

Last but not least, be proactive. This process can take some time, so get started early to make your transition as smooth as possible.