How can I check if community college credits transfer to private universities?

I'm considering starting at a community college and then transferring to a private university. How do I find out if my community college credits will transfer and count towards my degree at private schools?

To determine how your community college credits may transfer to a private university, there are several steps you can take:

1. University Websites and Transfer Credit Policy - The first place you should look is the prospective university's website. Check for a section specifically dedicated to transfer students; you should be able to find information on their credit transfer policies there.

2. Articulation Agreements - Many community colleges have formal articulation agreements with certain universities that clearly outline what courses will transfer for credit. These would typically be listed on the community college's website, but they might also be posted on the four-year university's site.

3. Transfer Evaluators / Admissions Officers - Most universities have transfer evaluators or admissions officers who work specifically with prospective transfer students. They can help answer questions about how credits will transfer, and explain the criteria the university uses to evaluate transfer credits.

4. Degree Audit Tools - Some institutions use tools like DegreeWorks or Transferology, where you can enter your completed courses and see how they apply to your intended degree program at the specific institution you have in mind.

5. Course-by-Course Comparisons - If all else fails, you can perform a course-by-course comparison, by looking at the course catalog of the private universities and seeing if there are comparisons for the classes you have taken at your community college. While there is no guarantee the private school draws the same equivalencies as you, having done some research on the school's curriculum could help you if you want to appeal any of their decisions.

Bear in mind that every institution has its own policies, and even private institutions within the same state or region may have greatly differing policies on which credits they accept for transfer. Be thorough in your research, and also be aware there's a chance ultimately not all credits transfer (which could impact your graduation date), so be prepared for that possibility.

Good luck with your transfer!