Transferring from one college to another
It’s quite common for students to transfer from one college to another. Regardless of the reason for the transfer, it’s important to visit with admissions officers about the best options and ask if there are restrictions on transferring credits. You will also want to check if the college requires you to take a minimum amount of credits there to receive a degree from them.
Some students who want a bachelor’s degree or beyond choose to start at a two-year college and then transfer to a college or university. This may be a good option if you are concerned about student loan debt or are unsure about your major. Most two-year colleges are less expensive.
Before leaving the two-year college, you should meet with your academic advisor to see if you have met the requirements to achieve an associate degree. You will then need to apply for your degree through the registrar’s office. This application must be submitted one semester before the degree is awarded. Without taking this easy, yet very important step, you will not officially receive your associate degree. Having that credential is a great way to jumpstart your bachelor’s degree. More importantly, sometimes plans change and not everyone goes on to complete their bachelor’s degree which makes having an associate degree even more important.
Transferring previous credits
If you attended college previously, you may be able to count credits you received toward the achievement of your degree. Talk to the academic departments that offer classes you’ve already taken and find out if they used the same textbook or similar materials. If you bring in a copy of a course syllabus, the department may approve the course more readily. However, if there have been updates in the material and it is a core class for your major, it is likely you’ll need to retake it. Every college is different so it’s important to work with your academic department when you develop your plan.
