I just moved here in the US last 2016, I finally got my transcripts from the uni I previously attended. are the courses I took back home gonna be credited on a four year university or should I apply to a community college first then transfer when I finish? I don’t want all the units I’ve taken to go to waste, and I’d hope not to repeat the classes I’ve already taken. thanks in advance.
For specifics, read the information on the websites of the universities you are applying to.
In general, once you are admitted* the uni will review the courses you have taken and decide which/how many you can transfer. Assuming you came from an accredited university, expect some but not all to transfer. The most likely to transfer are basic classes (introductory biology, for example). It would be very unusual for any uni to accept more than 50% of the credits needed to graduate, as most want you to have done 2 years of work (ie, most of the upper level work) at their institution, as it is their name on the line.
Also, sometimes you won’t get credit towards graduation / to your major requirements, but it will count as a ‘pre-requisite’ for a more advanced class.
Be prepared to help the uni, esp for courses whose content might not be obvious (easiest way is to get the syllabus for the class, which you can often download if you haven’t kept it!)
*Most won’t do it before acceptance, b/c their offices don’t have the personnel to evaluate the transcripts for all applicants, but they will typically do it before you commit to enroll.