Handling International Transfer Credits at College

I'm concerned about how my credits will transfer between colleges since I'm an international student. How do I ensure that my credits are recognized when moving from one institution to another?

Transferring credits can indeed be a complicated process, especially for international students. The way credits are recognized and transferred often varies from one institution to another. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Transcript Evaluation: Some U.S. colleges might not recognize international credits directly. In this case, a transcript evaluation by a recognized international credit evaluation service like the World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators can be helpful. They analyze your academic achievements and relate them to the U.S. system.

2. Reach out to the Admissions Office: Send over your course syllabi or descriptions to the admissions office or the registrar’s office at the school you’re transferring to. Having your course content on hand can help determine whether your credits match up with their course equivalents.

3. Articulation Agreements: Check if there are any existing articulation agreements between your former institution and your new one. These agreements are essentially detailed plans mapping out which credits apply from one institution to another.

4. Keep All Course Materials: For reference purposes, you should save all your syllabi, assignments, textbooks, and any other course materials. You might need them for the credit recognition process.

5. Speak to Academic Advisors: Reach out to academic advisors or the international student office at your new college. They might be able to guide you through the process or direct you to the person or department responsible for evaluating transfer credits.

Remember, the final decision on the acceptance of transfer credits lies with the receiving institution. Not all credits may be accepted, depending upon whether they are deemed relevant to your intended program of study. By staying proactive and following these guidelines, you can do your part to ensure as smooth a credit transfer process as possible.