Transferring off-campus or overseas classes into Alma
At some point in your college career, you might want or need to take courses elsewhere to transfer back to Alma College. Some reasons include:
Off-campus study. Overseas study, Philadelphia or Chicago Life Center all require action in advance (see the off-campus study center for additional information).
Broaden major. Unique opportunities exist for classes not available at Alma, like summer fieldwork at a biological station or a “Semester at Sea” program.
Take a DR class. Some DR classes are offered regularly at other colleges in the summer. Use this strategy to take more advanced classes at Alma or to spread out your load.
Boost preparation. Take a lower-level class elsewhere in preparation for more advanced work at Alma. You can fill in a missed or dropped class in a sequence if the timing is right.
Improve your grade point. Grades at Alma can be replaced with equivalent classes. See “Improving your CPA” for important considerations.
Here’s the strategy (and a few pointers) for the process:
Determine possibilities:
- Find out what (and where) classes are available
- Determine dates (and days) of the term
- Locate/print out descriptions of all classes you are considering
Determine suitable options:
- Discuss choices with advisor, department, professors, and others
- Understand impact of classes on your four-year plan
- Understand grade point implications - know before you go!
- Credits (but never grades) transfer. This is a country-wide policy in higher ed.
- You must receive a grade of “C” or better to gain credit at Alma
- Any repeated class becomes an “R” and is no longer counted in grade/credit total
- Exception: if the Overseas/off-campus program is Alma-sponsored, actual grades may transfer in, so check with the OCS office and the Registrar
Formalize how credits will transfer and be counted on transcript:
- Obtain/complete a “transfer of credit” form from Alma before taking the classes
- Provide documentation for all claims (attach course description and explanation)
- to repeat a class already taken at Alma (must cover same area)
- to count for the major/minor, the departments must be convinced
- to count as a DR (convince the department, sometimes the Registrar)
- Understand the credit conversion between institutions (how many credits come in)
- Exception: Special policies apply to MTH 099 and 101. See Registrar for current policy.
Apply/Register for classes, pay all fees, attend classes:
- Complete the class with a grade of “C” or better
- Request a transcript be sent to Alma College. This will likely involve a fee
- After final grades have been assigned, verify that Alma has your transcript
- Be persistent. Sometimes transcripts are delayed or lost
- Make sure the transcript has been received and processed according to the forms
Take follow-up action as needed. Ask if you aren’t sure.
