Why isn't my college listed on PA TRAC?

PA TRAC is adding new colleges and universities and new courses and
course equivalencies all the time. If you don't see the college you are
looking for, feel free to contact them directly and encourage their
participation.
For a list of colleges and universities that currently participate in
the statewide transfer system, check out Participating Institutions.
Here you will find admissions requirements, transfer credit policies
and a link to the college’s website, admissions site, and transfer
information.
Why is my course not listed?

New equivalencies are loaded to PA TRAC regularly. If you don't see the
course you are looking for, it does not mean you will not receive
credit. Contact the college where you plan to transfer for more
information. Not sure who to contact? College contact information is
available at
PA TRAC College Profiles.
In addition to using the PA TRAC, do I still need to talk to an
academic advisor?

PA TRAC is a tool designed to assist you in the transfer process. In
addition to the information you find on this website, you should also
seek the assistance of an advisor or transfer counselor regarding
transfer credit. While credits for a course may transfer, an
advisor/counselor can help you make sure the course also counts toward
your degree and graduation requirements.
I will be transferring, but am
not sure where I will transfer. I want to keep the most transfer
credits possible. What should I do?

Students who successfully complete
courses that fall into the 6 categories in the
Transfer Credit Framework
| Students who
successfully complete courses from the Transfer Credit Framework can
transfer those credits to any of the participating colleges and
universities and have them count towards graduation. |
will have their credits transferred and counted towards graduation at
any of the
participating
colleges and universities. Certain majors have specific
requirements prescribed by external accrediting agencies. You are
responsible for working with an advisor to select appropriate courses
as they relate to your major of study.
How can I find out whether my
courses will transfer?

Counselors and advisors can assist you to
know how your courses transfer. You can also check the Search for
Equivalencies database in PA TRAC.
How many credits should I
complete before transferring?

There is no set number of credits a
student must earn prior to transferring. However, the more credits you
have, the more likely a college admissions office is to base your
admission on your college GPA and not your high school GPA, school rank
and/or SAT scores. Since admission criteria can vary by institution and
major, you should speak directly to an admissions counselor at the
institution where you plan to attend.
Do I need a specific grade
point average (GPA) to transfer?

Some majors require prerequisite courses
or a minimum GPA prior to transferring. To find out if your intended
major has any special admissions criteria, contact an admissions
representative at the college or university where you intend to
transfer or look up the institution's
College Profile
on PA TRAC.
When do my credits transfer?

This will vary from institution to
institution. Some colleges will evaluate your credits before you’re
admitted, although this evaluation may be considered unofficial. Most
will require you to either be admitted or actually be enrolled before
completing a transfer evaluation. Be sure you read your new
institution’s website or catalog or talk to the Admissions or Records
Office to find out how and when your transcript will be processed.
When should I apply to
transfer?

Complete and file your admissions
applications about a year in advance of the semester in which you plan
to attend. This will give you enough time to submit the appropriate
application forms and have official college transcripts sent to the
college or university for review. Remember, you must have an official
college transcript sent directly from the institution where your
completed the courses. If you transferred multiple times, then you will
need to contact each prior institution. Since it may take at least 6-8
weeks for delivery, make sure you apply early and are aware of any
pending application deadlines.
Why is the university that is
evaluating my course transfer request asking for additional materials
(e.g., course syllabus, course text, portfolio)?

The university may need more information
in order to determine if the course you took covered the same material
as the course offered at the university.
Do courses with grades of 'D'
transfer?

Each institution decides its own
admissions and transfer criteria. For more information about a
college's transfer credit policies, contact an admissions
representative at the college or university where you intend to
transfer or look up the institution's
College Profile on
PA TRAC.
What can I do if a course
doesn't transfer?

Your first action should be to contact
the office from which you have received your transfer evaluation.
There’s always the possibility that there is a simple misunderstanding
or misinterpretation of the information and can be correct easily.
Remember, developmental or remedial courses typically will not
transfer.
If you still feel your credits were not evaluated or transferred
appropriately, you should ask about the transfer credit appeals process
and then follow this process as provided.
Will my technical college
credits transfer?

Each community college, college or
university has different policies when it comes to the transfer of
technical credits. Students should not assume that a college will
transfer or not transfer any or all of their technical credits. Before
applying for admission, ask about the transfer institution’s transfer
policy as it applies to technical credits.
I am an adult student returning
to college after several years of not taking courses. Will my courses
still transfer?

Transfer policies vary from institution
to institution, however, generally colleges and universities do not
have time limits on when general education courses are taken. You will
probably find that college-level general education courses basically
count the same as if you had taken them very recently. Technical or
major-specific courses, on the other hand, may need to be retaken, as
there may be time limits on when they must be taken to meet
requirements depending upon the program you plan to pursue. Be sure to
check with any institution(s) you are planning to attend about their
transfer policy and your specific situation.
How will quarter credits
transfer into a semester credit system?

Each quarter credit is equal to 2/3 of a
semester credit. Some colleges and universities will multiply your
credits by .67; some may use .667 or even .6667. For example, if you
took a 4 quarter-credit course, it would be equated to 2.67 semester
credits at your receiving institution. A 3 quarter-credit course would
be equated to 2 semester credits.
You should be aware that once this mathematical formula is applied to
your quarter credits in transfer, you may be short of credits in
specific requirements.
Can transfer students
participate in athletics

Typically, yes, provided the student
athlete meets NCAA eligibility requirements.