I'm planning to transfer to Rhode Island College and am curious about how they handle transfer credits. Do some courses not transfer, and how can I check which of mine will? Any advice on making sure everything transfers smoothly? Thanks!
Transferring to a new school can definitely involve a lot of moving parts, and credits transfer can be one of the complex aspects, so great job with researching ahead of time!
As a general rule, Rhode Island College (RIC) accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. General education classes are likely to have a direct equivalent, while more specialized courses may be counted as an elective, rather than a gen ed or towards your major. Have official transcripts sent to the college from every post-secondary institution you've attended, and RIC will evaluate them course by course.
Keep in mind that the course content must be deemed similar and the grade received must generally be a 'C' or better for a course to be accepted for transfer. Also be aware that the maximum number of transferable credits, from either a two-year or a four-year institution, is 90.
In order to learn about the specific courses from your previous institution that will be transferable, I would recommend contacting RIC's transfer student services or the admissions office directly. They will be well equipped to provide more detailed, personalized advice based on your individual transcript. They can also guide you through the process, so that it goes as smoothly as possible.
Furthermore, you might want to have a talk with a departmental advisor in your planned major at RIC. This person can help map your previous courses to the RIC curriculum and provide clarity on which major-specific courses will be counted. Plus, having this early interaction with the department could be helpful as you transition - there is a chance you could need to retake some coursework, and if you do, you want to be prepared for that.
Remember, each student’s situation is unique, and you should always reach out for personalized advice based on your own academic history. Hope this overview helps!
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