How can I transfer my college credits to another school?

I'm thinking about changing schools, but I'm worried about losing college credits in the process. How do I find out which credits will transfer and if they count towards my major? I'd appreciate some guidance on this process.

In general, the process of transferring college credits involves several steps and can depend on the school's policies as well as the specific program of study.

Firstly, check with the institution you're transferring from. They should have a transfer policies guide or similar resource that details their procedure and expectations. It's also helpful to reach out to the registrar's office or your academic advisor to understand what is required in terms of paperwork and process. Some schools may issue transcripts listing the courses and grades you've earned, along with their respective credits.

Next, connect with the institution you're transferring to. They will have their own process for evaluating your transcripts and applying your credits. Usually, you'll need to provide them with the detailed descriptions or syllabi of the courses you've taken. This helps them in determining course equivalence. Note that a general rule of thumb is that if the class you've taken at your former institution is similar enough to a class offered at your new school, the credit should transfer over.

Regarding the question on 'if they count towards your major', it highly depends. Colleges often distinguish between general education credits versus major-specific credits. If the credits you earned at your previous institution matched closely with the classes you'd need to meet your new institution's distributional requirements, those might be easier to transfer. That said, major-specific classes might also transfer if they closely align with the curriculum of your proposed major at the new institution.

Lastly, be aware of maximum transfer credit policies. Certain universities have a limit on how many credits they will accept from another institution.

The key to this process is communication and documentation. Maintain an open line with both institutions and ensure you're keeping track of all correspondences and submissions to make the transfer process as smooth as possible.