Transferring college credits between different colleges

I'm thinking about switching colleges, but I'm worried about losing credits. How can I ensure all or most of my credits will transfer between colleges? Do college counselors typically help with that?

Transferring college credits depends largely on the agreement between your current and prospective colleges. The general rule of thumb is that colleges are more likely to accept credits from accredited institutions. Note, that you'll need to pay close attention to whether they recognize "regionally" or "nationally" accredited schools, as not all accreditation is seen as equal.

It's important to initiate a frank conversation with both your current college and the college you're interested in switching to. Most colleges have a 'Transfer Credit Evaluator' or an Office of Transfer Services who can offer guidance on what credits can be transferred. Typically, they'll be able to give you a pretty good estimate of how your credits will translate. You may need to submit course syllabi and descriptions so they can assess whether the courses are equivalent to what is offered at their institution.

While college counselors can certainly provide guidance, you'll want to involve the college's admissions or registrar’s office directly at some point since they ultimately handle credit evaluation. Counselors can certainly assist with advice and advocating on your behalf, but they may not be privy to the detailed credit acceptance policies of every school. However, they can help you in identifying which schools have more credit transfer-friendly policies, based on their own institution's past experiences and partnerships with other colleges.

Don't overlook the importance of speaking to your prospective department as well. Sometimes, even if your credits do not transfer to meet general education requirements, they can count as electives or specific requirements within your major.

Remember, planning can go a long way in ensuring a seamless transition while retaining most of your earned credits.