Can You Petition a College for Transfer Credits?

Has anyone tried petitioning a college for transfer credits? I'm thinking of transferring and want to ensure all my current credits are counted. What’s the process like and do you have any tips for making a successful petition?

In many instances, petitioning a college for transfer credits is possible, as colleges recognize that students have different educational experiences and sometimes a course's direct equivalent may not exist at your new school.

In general, the process often constitutes completing a "Credit Evaluation" or "Course Substitution" form, typically obtained from your academic advisor or Registrar's office. This form usually requires you to supply detailed content from the course you wish to have evaluated, which can include the course description, syllabus, and sometimes specific assignments.

To improve your chances of a successful petition, make sure you gather all relevant documents as detailed above. Don't forget to include any coursework or major projects that you completed during the course, as these provide concrete evidence of what you learned and can tie into course objectives at your new institution.

After completing the form with the necessary information, you may need to submit it to the department of your new college that manages the subject matter of the course. Faculty members in that department will review your submission and decide whether the completed course meets equivalent requirements.

You should also keep in mind that each college has different rules about transferring credits, including limits on the number of credits that can be transferred. It would be beneficial to contact the college you plan to transfer to and consult with an academic advisor who can guide you through the process.

Please note, this process could take from a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the college, so plan your schedule accordingly and start the process as soon as you can. And remember, even if your initial petition is rejected, don't despair! Sometimes you may need to re-appeal, provide more information, or speak with a department head for further clarification.