<p>i dont know antying about transferring so i just have one question... if 12 credits are require in order to transfer, how long does it usually take to attain 12 credits? i am not too familiar how college classes/credits work.</p>
<p>one semester.</p>
<p>this seems like a really stupid question but how long is one semester?</p>
<p>also, if a school suggests that you have AT LEAST 12 credits before applying to transfer does that mean 12 is like the BARE minium? so basically are they kind of suggesting that it be more than 12 or is 12 just fine? iam sorry it sounds confusing.</p>
<p>OK. Usually one takes 12-18 credits a semester. Usually if you take less than 12 credits you're considered a part-time student. When schools say they want you to apply with at least 12 credits under your belt, they mean just that. You should have completed at least one semester of college before applying transfer. Are you in high school (please don't take offense, it seems like a college student would know about the whole credit stuff)? Because it's kind of early to be worrying about transferring if you don't yet know where you will be going to school next year. Give it some time...</p>
<p>thanks alot! yeah iam a senior right now and well its a long story but i will probably end up at a college that wasn't my choice. so i am planning ahead to transfer lol. so does your chance increase if you have MORE than the minimum 12 credits?</p>
<p>Yes. Basically the more college credits you have, the less they should focus on your high school grades. Exceptions probably are some Ivy's or other very competitive schools.</p>
<p>Generally people transfer in their Sophomore --> Junior year of college, and they will have around 40-60 credits at that time.</p>
<p>do credits earned from AP tests count? for example, if you earned a total of 9 credits from your AP exams that would mean that you only need 3 credits in college to transfer right? (given that the college i want to transfer TO requires at least 12 credits)</p>
<p>I don't believe so.</p>
<p>There are many high school students that enter college with 12+ credits, whether it be from APs, college courses or a combination of the two and they are not considered transfer applicants. You have to actually matriculate at a college for a semester to be considered for transfer...otherwise they'll just defer your app and wait for your college grades.</p>
<p>thanks alot! sorry about asking all these questions.....but so is it basically not good to transfer after just one semester (getting the minimum requirement of 12 credits)? is it suggested that i shud stay my whole freshmen year then transfer? much thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Some colleges accept transfers into the spring term of freshman year. Most do not. Most want you to transfer in at the beginning of sophomore or junior year, as a fall transfer.</p>
<p>So, it depends on where you want to transfer to.</p>
<p>If you are seriously considering transferring, which it seems you are, you should consider the following in selecting your freshman courses:
1. what the school you first attend requires (eg, maybe they require a freshman seminar, or a writing intensive course). Some schools have few, if any, requirements that you <em>must</em> do in your first term, but if your school has them, you'll have to follow them.
2. what freshmen typically take at the school where you want to transfer, especially freshmen in the field you plan to major in (if you've decided). It will help your transfer chances if you have taken the courses that are typical for that school. For example, if you want to major in engineering, most schools want you to have calculus, physics, chem or bio, and certain engineering courses in your first year.
3. Regardless of the above, take a "serious" schedule (no basketweaving ;) ).<br>
4. Try to take one or two courses where you can get to know the professor. You will need recommendations and this will help. Either a relatively small course, or courses where you will feel comfortable visiting the prof during ofc hours. If you have to take all huge lecture classes, try to get to know your TA well, as they can collaborate on recs with the professor.</p>
<p>The info above re credits is how it generally works. But be aware that some schools are on a quarter system, which can complicate things. Some don't use credits but "units" - these schools call each course one unit, which at most schools would be 3-4 credits. It doesn't matter - wherever you find yourself as a freshman, the transfer school will be able to equate whatever you've taken into their own credit system.</p>
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[quote]
but so is it basically not good to transfer after just one semester (getting the minimum requirement of 12 credits)? is it suggested that i shud stay my whole freshmen year then transfer? much thanks in advance.
[/quote]
jmmom pretty much summed it up rather eloquently, but I can elaborate on the basis of personal experience. I am currently a freshman in at a university and applied as a Spring Term transfer to NYU and GW...I was deferred by both with each school saying they usually don't accept inter-semester freshmen transfers. Also, you'd probably be better of taking more than 12 credits. Even though this has the potential to adversely effect your GPA, you want to show colleges that you can handle a standard to heavy courseload.</p>