What does 'transfer credit' mean for college admissions?

I'm trying to understand what 'transfer credit' implies when applying to colleges. How does transferring credits work, and what should I know if I want to bring credits from community college to a four-year university?

Transfer credit refers to academic credit that a student earned at one educational institution being recognized and accepted by another. For instance, if you've taken college-level classes at a community college, these can often be transferred as credits towards your degree at a four-year university. This allows you to potentially graduate sooner, as you've already done some of the required coursework.

The process to transfer credits varies from one school to another. Typically, you'll need to submit your transcripts from the community college to the university you're transferring to. The university's admissions or registrar’s office will evaluate these to determine how many credits can be transferred and whether these will satisfy the requirements for your intended major or general education. Please note, not all credits may transfer or be applicable to specific degree requirements.

It's also important to consider that there can be a limit to the number of credits that can be transferred. Each university sets its own policy. Some schools may accept all the credits from an associate degree while some may have a maximum limit or only accept certain types of credits (i.e., from academic courses rather than professional or vocational ones).

Before enrolling in community college courses, it could be helpful to research the transfer credit policies of the four-year institutions you are interested in. Some colleges have articulation agreements with local community colleges that outline exactly which credits will transfer for which programs. Additionally, talking with an academic advisor at either institution can yield valuable advice personalized for your circumstances.