With more and more people going back to school, finishing a degree, or seeking additional education, universities are changing the way they think about their students. This includes taking into account the fact that many students change schools and want to bring their credits with them.
Transferring credits, however, can sometimes be a little tricky. Save yourself some time (and a few headaches) by following these tips on how to get your credits transferred right the first time.
How to Get Your Transfer Credits to Count
1. Accreditation is Key
When you’re trying to transfer credits from one school to another, you might get asked about college accreditation. When a school, college or university is accredited, it means that it’s been rated by regional, independent non-profits for certain academic or professional standards.
Schools that are accredited generally won’t take credits from those that aren’t, so make sure any school you enroll at has accreditation. (You can find out by reviewing our online guide to accreditation).
2. Talk to Guidance or Admissions Counselors
You can read every page on a university’s website and still not be 100% positive that your credits will transfer. The best way to be sure is to talk to the guidance counselors and advisors at the school you’re transferring to. Call them. Email them. Ask them.
Chances are that an admissions representative or someone from the registrar’s office will be able to give you a quick and clear idea of which classes will transfer to your new school, or be able to point you towards someone who can.
3. Be Prepared to Lose a Few Credits
If you’ve taken a lot of credits towards your degree, you might not be able to transfer all of them to your new school. Most institutions prefer to have the most important degree courses taken in house. Also, depending how long it’s been since you were in school, you made be required to re-take a few courses to demonstrate your proficiency, or if your field of study has changed and evolved.
4. Prerequisites are Often a Good Bet
On the bright side of things, there are certain kinds of courses that tend to be transferable. Prerequisites are the basic classes many degree programs require before students enter their field of specialization. These general classes include writing, biology, literature, or social sciences, and it’s a good bet these classes will transfer from one school to another.
5. Make Sure You Learn What You Need To
For many students, transferring credits is an important way of saving money. But it’s important to balance your short-term economic interests with long-term educational needs. Even if you’re not wild about re-taking a math class that you took ten years ago, refreshing your knowledge base will make a difference when you get that first job.
