How do transfer credits work from community colleges to JMU?

I'm planning on transferring to JMU from a community college. How does the transfer credit evaluation work? Is there anything specific I should look out for to ensure my credits will be accepted?

Many colleges, including James Madison University (JMU), have transfer articulation agreements with community colleges, which ensure that certain courses will definitely be counted for credit if you transfer. The key to transferring credits is usually how relevant the courses you've taken are to your intended major and/or the general education requirements at the four-year university.

Generally, the university will conduct a credit evaluation process after you've been accepted. Here's a step-by-step guide to how the process might work:

1. After receiving your acceptance letter from JMU, you'll send your official transcript from your community college to JMU's registrar, if you haven’t already included it in your application package.

2. The registrar's office will evaluate your transcript, comparing your community college courses with the curriculum at JMU.

3. They'll then provide you with an evaluation report that tells you how many, and which of your previous courses, qualify for credits at JMU.

Some specific points to keep in mind:

- Only college-level courses with a grade of 'C' or higher will typically be recognized.

- Credits from vocational or technical courses may not be eligible for transfer.

- Some credits may transfer as elective credits if an equivalent course is not offered at JMU.

- JMU has an upper limit to the number of credits you can transfer. Therefore, it might be a good idea to focus on general education requirements and pre-requisites for your major while at your community college.

As for ensuring that your credits are transferred, it's critical to stay connected with both your current academic counselor at your community college and a prospective advisor at JMU. They will be the best individuals to guide you on course selection and transfer considerations. The earlier you start coordinating this process, the greater chance you have of ensuring all your credits transfer over!

Also, try using online tools like JMU’s transfer credit equation tool to get a better idea of how your courses might transfer. This will provide you with a clearer expectation of what you should be prepared for after your transcript review. But, keep in mind the final decision remains with JMU's registrar's office.

Remember that each transfer situation is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer. So it's really important to advocate for yourself and stay proactive throughout the process. Good luck with your transfer!