How to Maximize Transfer Credits When Moving to a Massachusetts College

Transferring from one college to another needs to be done carefully to ensure that you get credit for as many courses as possible. Since some colleges put a cap on the number of credits that you can transfer and often prefer to transfer general education courses over ones related to major programs, you need to be alert throughout the entire process.

Thankfully, there are some things that you do, on top of paying close attention to your transferred credits, to help make this transfer process a little less painful. Here are some of our top tips.

Gather All of Your Transcripts

It’s possible to earn college credits in several ways. Some students complete AP courses and pass the related tests while they’re in high school, giving them credits for basic history, English, science, and math courses. Others may test out of those general education courses at the college level, ending up in advanced classes as freshmen. No matter where or how you earned those course credits, you’re going to need every single transcript that they appear on. This will make it easier for the admissions counselor at your new school.

Have Your Syllabi on Hand

In some cases, colleges refuse to transfer certain courses. These are usually those related to majors, which need to be taken to obtain a specific degree, rather than general education courses. If your new school is giving you a hard time about transferring a course, provide them with the syllabus for the course that you completed. They can then check the curriculum to see if it matches what’s taught at their school. If it does, then you’ve most likely won the argument.

Look for Schools with Articulation Agreements

An articulation agreement between two schools is designed to help the transfer credit process. The agreement spells out which courses transfer over, as well as which ones won’t. If you know that you’ll be transferring to a certain school, such as Dean College, after attending a community college for a year or two, you can adhere to the agreement and only take courses that will transfer over.

Looking for a New College to Attend?

Are you looking for a Massachusetts college to transfer to? If so, add Dean College to your list. We’re a small, but mighty school that has everything that you’re looking for. We have dozens of majors to choose from and provide a plethora of activities at your fingertips, so you get that big school variety with a small school feel. Additionally, our admissions office staff will work with you to get the most credits for the courses you’re transferring. It’s a win-win with Dean College. So, set up a visit, and join us!