How do transfer credits work from Collin College to a university?

I'm thinking about transferring from Collin College to a four-year university and am a bit unsure about how transfer credits work. Can someone explain how the process goes and what I should look out for?

Transferring credits between institutions can be an involved process, given that each university or college has its own specific policies, but I can definitely guide you through the basic steps!

1. Review Course Catalog/Transfer Guides: Many universities have transfer guides or course equivalency charts available on their website, usually found under their transfer students or registrar's section. This resource will outline which courses at Collin College have already been determined to be equivalent to courses at the university.

2. Check for Articulation Agreements: Articulation agreements are formal agreements between colleges that stipulate which specific courses at one institution satisfy the course requirements at another institution. If Collin College has an articulation agreement with the university you're considering, this may simplify the process significantly because there'll be a clear map on how your credits will transfer.

3. Contact University Admissions: Reach out to the admissions or transfer office at your intended university. They have counselors whose job it is to help transfer students navigate this process, and they can provide you specific information about transfer credits.

4. Official Transcript Evaluation: Once you apply to a university and submit your official transcripts from Collin College, the university will perform an official evaluation of your transcripts and determine which of your Collin College credits are accepted as transfer credits.

Keep note of a few important considerations:

- Residency Requirements: Most universities have a requirement that a certain number of credits must be completed at the university itself for a degree to be granted from that institution.

- General Education vs Major-Specific: General education (core) credits are often easier to transfer than course credits specific to your major. If you've taken major-specific courses, be prepared that they may not transfer directly, and may count as elective credits.

- Grade Requirements: Every college will have different requirements for what grade you need to have received in a course for it to transfer. It's common for this to be a C or higher.

I hope this outline of the process has been helpful! Best of luck with your potential transfer.