| Shopping around for a lower cost education may | | | | Note: Be sure to check the website of the college or |
| save you a ton of money in the long run! | | | | university where you plan to attend. |
| One of the best ways to earn more credits for less | | | | Remember that the institution receiving the credit, |
| money is to shop around and get university credits | | | | and in many cases, the department receiving the |
| at the local community and junior colleges. Students | | | | credit determines whether or not they will award a |
| can get transfer credits in most subjects. However, | | | | transfer credit. If you wish to transfer credits |
| whether or not a university will accept credits is | | | | between institutions you should verify acceptance |
| completely the decision of that institution. Institutions | | | | before investing time and money in the course. |
| often accept credits differently from one department | | | | A great idea is to contact the university of your |
| to another. | | | | choice and obtain a copy of their course catalogue. In |
| For example, a student who has taken a biology | | | | the catalogue, you will find a list of "general studies" |
| course at a junior college may receive credit for | | | | courses that you may be able to take at a |
| biology if they are a math major. But if they are an | | | | community or junior college. Typically, beginning math |
| biology major, the biology department may not | | | | and science, and social studies courses should be |
| accept the credit and may require that the student | | | | accepted. |
| retake the course. | | | | Contact the university where you plan to attend, to |
| Transfer credit appears on the student's transcript at | | | | determine if they will accept some of the basic |
| the receiving institution as verified credit, not as | | | | courses. The chairman of the department should be |
| earned credit. Therefore, it is important that the | | | | able to provide you with some answers, so don't be |
| student maintain accurate records from all institutions | | | | afraid to ask. Quite often you can receive a straight |
| they attend in order to accurately apply for transfer | | | | answer with a telephone call. Once you obtain a |
| credit at any future institution they may attend. | | | | verbal agreement, you may ask if the agreement can |
| The complexity of the transfer process varies widely | | | | be put in writing. The reason this is importance is |
| from institution to institution. Credits may transfer | | | | because people change jobs. Things change. The |
| singly (course to course transfer), in blocks (two or | | | | person who made that verbal agreement, may no |
| more courses), or as entire programs (earning an | | | | longer be the Dean of the School or the Chairman of |
| associate degree from a community college may | | | | the Department. |
| transfer in as the first two years of a similar program | | | | So how to you get it in writing? First make your |
| at a university). | | | | phone call and get your verbal agreement. Then, as |
| In articulated programs between institutions the | | | | soon as you hang up the phone, you write a letter |
| student typically only needs to ask for transcript | | | | to the Dean or Chairman who made the agreement. |
| evaluation and the credits will be awarded. However, | | | | You simply state in your letter that you enjoyed |
| if no articulation agreement exists between the | | | | your conversation and that you appreciate their help. |
| institutions, then the student may be required to | | | | Next you move on to the agreement. |
| provide a course syllabus. | | | | "Thank you. M(r/s):" |
| There are a variety of web sites that can provide | | | | "As per our telephone conversation, my |
| additional information on transfers. These web sites | | | | understanding is that you will accept the following |
| fall into three major categories: a.) general web sites | | | | course(s) as transfer credit:" |
| with information on transfer credits, b.) web sites | | | | "Thanks again. |
| that offer information on transfer credits between | | | | Cordially," |
| institutions within the same state, and c.) the | | | | Make sure they write you back verifying the |
| individual institution's web site on transfer of credit. | | | | agreement. You may need to take a copy of their |
| Just a few of these web sites are: | | | | letter to the university's registrar's office to make |
| * General information on transfer of credit: | | | | sure you receive the proper credit. |
| * Transfer of credit between California institutions: | | | | Best wishes and good luck! |
| * Transfer of credit between Indiana institutions: | | | | |