Although 70% of Americans will study at a four-year college, fewer than 1/3 of them will graduate - despite the fact that those without a college degree are twice as likely to be unemployed. 30% of those students will drop out after the first year. What happens to any credits that have been earned if the student realizes how important a degree is and decides to go back to school?
If you are one of those that has left college, but you are thinking of going back - even if it is for a degree in another field or to a different school – you should know that many of your previously earned credits are probably eligible for transfer.
Even for those that have stayed in school, transferring credits is likely to be a concern. The National Center for Education Statistics found that at least 1/3 of first-time undergraduate students transfer at least once.
While it may seem complicated, transferring college credits is easier than you may think – though there are some things you need to be aware of when transferring.
Not All College Policies Are Alike
You will want to find the school that gives you the most credit you can possibly have. Obviously, the more you can transfer, the more you will save in time and money, but more importantly, it could have an impact on how successful you will be in getting your degree. A 2014 study showed that students who transfer all, or most (at least 90%), of their credits earned are more than two and a half times more likely to graduate!
You need to investigate each college or university for their specific transfer policies.
- Some schools limit which courses are eligible, while others have a cap on the number of credits you can transfer.
- There are differences in how credits are applied. Some colleges don’t apply the credits towards a major, but only apply them as electives.
- Some require that a minimum grade in the course was met, or that a minimum overall GPA was maintained, in order for credit to be eligible for transfer.
- There are schools that will allow you credit for experience, online courses, or military training, while others refuse to recognize anything other than classes based on traditional education methods.
Let Us Help
One reason why many think the transfer process is complicated is because it is not always an easy task to find this information. It takes time and intensive research. However, that’s where counselors and advisors, like those at Achieve Test Prep, can help. They know where to look, and who to talk to, in order to get you the most “bang for your buck.” Then our flexible credit-by-exam programs allow you to optimize your learning experience even more, saving you time and money over traditional methods.
To learn more about how credit-by-exam works, download our free guide about credit-by-exam, Testing Out of College, today.
Contact us today to find out how you can transfer your credits and start using Achieve’s credit-by-exam programs to help you save time and money over traditional methods!
