Many students transfer or change colleges to achieve their academic and personal goals. A seamless transition between multiple colleges requires careful planning, evaluating course equivalencies, researching institutions and their distinctive policies, assessing each institution’s approach to a student’s past credits, and keeping open communication with academic advisors. By understanding the credit transfer processes of different institutions, students can ensure that their prior coursework contributes effectively toward degree completion at their new college.
Challenges With College Credit Transfer
Institutions Are Accredited by Different Agencies
Colleges accredited by different agencies have their own regulations and requirements for students to transfer their credits from an old college to a new one.
Articulation Agreements Do Not Match
If the two institutions do not come under some type of transfer agreement or have different articulation agreements, then transference of GPA and credit becomes a massive challenge for students.
Institutions Are in Different States
Transferring credits between different states is a steep challenge because of a number of procedural and bureaucratic complications. Fortunately, higher education professionals are working to remedy this issue. For example, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education has set up the Interstate Passport Initiative to help with this process.
Process of Transferring Credits Across Colleges
Requesting an Unofficial Transcript
An unofficial transcript is a lesser-known tool that offers detailed insight into a student’s academic history. These academic records are reflected in a student’s existing college’s official records. After accessing this report, a student needs to be attentive to various details regarding the transcript. For example, their coursework or GPA can be misinterpreted in certain cases. So, they need to look out for such inconsistencies and ensure that there are no mistakes. The transcript’s contents are helpful for students during the transfer process.
During the research process, students also need to shortlist institutions known to accept transferred credits. Ideally, students should opt for a four-year institution that accepts transferred credits from accredited institutions. This is because most 4-year colleges accept transferred credits from multiple accredited institutions.
Comparing Course Equivalencies
There tend to be several differences between the courses offered by multiple colleges. Some classes may look remarkably similar between colleges and transfer easily. Still, in other cases, a course a student completed at their previous school may hardly resemble the classes available at the new college.
During the college transfer process, these equivalencies play a major role in determining which institution a transitioning student ultimately attends and how long it will take them to earn their associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Comparing course equivalencies is an essential part of the school transfer checklist and plays a key role in college selection for learners. After all, students may ideally not want to shift to a new college, only to find that the course of their dreams is unavailable there or exists in a very altered form.
Talking to a Counselor or Admissions Advisor
Hiring a seasoned expert in the field is necessary for changing universities. Admissions advisors at the new college are usually well-versed in every aspect of the transference process. Such individuals charge a nominal fee for their services, and their assistance and consultation are invaluable. Their advice can be useful for several students looking to take steps toward getting foundational or general education credits transferred to maintain their GPA when switching.
Other than speaking with admissions advisors or counselors, students must also talk to faculty members or department heads at their future college. This helps students quickly understand the steps a particular college requires for a smooth and stress-free transfer. Talking to faculty members and department heads also helps students establish a strong relationship with influential members early on. This is because they may play a major role in shaping their college experience and assisting them positively in continuing education at new schools and colleges.
Applying and Sending Official Transcripts
For transfer students, the primary part of the application process to get into a new college involves sending the official transcripts for evaluation there. There are very few differences between official and unofficial transcripts. The main difference is that students must pay a fee to order a certified record from a transcript office or ordering service for the former.
Students who have reviewed their unofficial transcripts may not find it overly difficult to obtain and submit their official transcripts. Transcripts must be sent in paper or PDF format, depending on which option the new school prefers.
Following Up With the Admissions Department
After submitting the applications, students must ensure that the right people receive the transcripts. Students can know this by regularly following up with the college’s admission department officials. Even if a student has not received admission into the new college, they can still schedule a meeting with the officials to know why they have missed and, more importantly, what they need to do to find acceptance in other colleges later.
