Moving credits between schools

Transfer credit is decided by the school you are moving to, not the one you are leaving. Knowing how it decides helps you keep more of what you have done.

How evaluation works

The new school reads your official transcript and compares each course with its own. Some match one for one, some count only as general electives, and some do not count at all. Many schools publish a transfer equivalency database you can search before applying.

What to do

• Order official transcripts from every school you attended
• Search the new school’s equivalency database
• Keep syllabi for appeals
• Ask about limits before you enroll

Limits to expect

Most colleges cap how many credits can come in, require a minimum number taken with them, and set a minimum grade for transfer. Very old credits in fast-changing fields may need review.

The receiving school decides what counts, so ask it before you enroll, not after.

If a course is refused

Ask how to appeal. A syllabus showing what the course covered, its textbook and its hours often changes a decision. Keep your old syllabi for this reason.