How to Transfer Credits from Rowan College at Burlington County Effectively

I'm planning to transfer from Rowan College at Burlington County and want to ensure that most of my credits transfer. What should I be doing to prepare, and are there any specific things I should watch out for during the process?

Transferring college credits can be somewhat complex, but with adequate planning and a careful approach, you can ensure the process goes smoothly! Here are some steps you can take to prepare:

1. Understand Transfer Policies: Each university has specific transfer policies. Some may accept all of your credits, while others might only accept a few. Make sure you're familiar with the transfer policies of the institutions you're interested in.

2. Contact Your Prospective School's Admissions Office or Transfer Center: It's crucial to establish a contact at the institution you wish to transfer to. They can provide you with personalized, detailed information about the credit transfer process.

3. Review Articulation Agreements: Some institutions have articulation agreements, which are formal agreements between two colleges or universities that outline which credits are transferrable. Check whether the universities you're interested in have articulation agreements with Rowan College at Burlington County - admissions officers and transfer advisors would be great people to ask.

4. Use a Transfer Credit Evaluation Tool: Some colleges and universities offer online tools for you to input coursework and see how it will transfer. These tools take some guesswork out of credit transfers, although do be aware these tools only offer general guidance, and the final decision will be made by the registrar and the relevant department at the school you ultimately transfer to.

5. Review Program Requirements: Some credits may transfer, but they might not be applicable towards your intended degree, and instead only count as electives or general education requirements. Make sure the credits you're hoping to transfer align with the program requirements at the institution you're transferring to, or be prepared to potentially retake some classes. If you think you'll need to redo any coursework, think about whether that could prolong your time to graduation, and if so whether that works with your future plans.

6. Get Course Descriptions: Having detailed course descriptions can help the advising office at your new institution determine if a course is equivalent to a course they offer.

7. Stay Organized: Keep all your transcripts, syllabi, and course description materials organized. As noted above, they can be invaluable during the credit evaluation process.

Remember, not all credits may transfer, or they might not transfer how you expect, so be prepared and develop a flexible academic plan. Good luck with your transfer process!