5 Tips on How to Transfer Credits From One College to Another

After two years of community college, Melissa Mucci wanted to have a residential college experience. But with transferring came a lot of questions. How would she transfer college credits? What credits would transfer to other colleges? Who could she talk to about the process? 

Now a business administration student at Grace, Mucci knows a thing or two about how to transfer college credits. She has five tips for students on how to transfer credits from one college to another. 

Tip 1: Decide early. 

The earlier you decide where and when you want to transfer, the easier it will be to figure out how to transfer credits from one college to another. Mucci suggests deciding before your second year. This will help you as you schedule your classes and meet with your advisor. 

Mucci did not decide until the fall of her second year, a year before she transferred. Because she had taken general courses up to that point, she now looks back and wishes she took classes that would count toward her business degree at Grace. Deciding earlier would have allowed her time to figure out what classes transferred. 

Tip 2: Utilize your admissions counselor.

The admissions counselor at the school you transfer to will be one of your most important resources to figure out how to transfer credits from one college to another. With the help of her admissions counselor, Mucci was able to figure out what classes would be applied to her major. 

“When I visited Grace, my admissions counselor knew what classes would transfer to Grace,” Mucci says. “I’m thankful to be surrounded by good support through the process and not feel like I was doing it alone.”

Tip 3: Talk to your advisor.

Once you decide where you want to transfer to, your advisor can act as a liaison with your new school. If you know what you want to major in, your advisor can recommend which classes to take first in your field of study. 

“The advisors at your school are the most equipped to handle class schedules and communication with other colleges,” Mucci says. “I would urge students to utilize the resources available to them in order to have the smoothest and most successful transfer experience!”

Tip 4: Take classes that count.

Once you get in touch with your admissions counselor and advisor, you should be intentional from then on to schedule classes at your current school that will transfer over. Mucci says she took classes like Intro to Poetry that, although interesting, were not acknowledged when she came to Grace. 

It’s important to note, if you decide to transfer college credits from a public school to a private school, it can be more difficult to get credit for core classes. With the Grace Core Curriculum, you will take Biblically-based classes that will expand your worldview and challenge your perspective. “Although those are great classes we get to take, they are not going to be offered at a different school,” Mucci says. 

Therefore, it is wise to focus on taking classes that will fulfill BA or BS requirements such as math, science, or language courses. 

Tip 5: Choose your major.

If you took classes on a variety of interests, you may not know how to apply those to a major at your new school. Mucci suggests being open with your advisor – even if you don’t know what you want. 

“Be transparent about where you’re at as a student,” Mucci says. “If you don’t know what major you want, your advisor can prepare your schedule to introduce you to topics you may be interested in without fully diving into them.”

If you do have a major in mind, your advisor will be able to get you started on classes that will fulfill your degree requirements. 

Bonus Tip: Get involved on campus.

Once you successfully figure out how to transfer credits from one college to another, it’s time to make new friends, get involved, and embrace what your new school has to offer. Your transfer journey is only just beginning. 

“In order to create friendships, you have to be intentional,” Mucci says. “You will benefit from going out and getting involved however works for you. Finding that early on is going to be huge for your experience as a transfer.”

Now in her second year at Grace, Mucci is glad that she transferred. “I’ve definitely had the college experience that I was desiring,” Mucci says. “Living on campus and being surrounded by that Christlike community is huge for me. It is probably the best decision I’ve made.”

Do you want the full college experience in a Christ-centered community? Request information about Grace College.