Decide on a course of study. So that you don't lose credits during the transfer process, decide whether it is better to begin at one two-year college over another.
Speak to a transfer counselor at your community or junior college. Many colleges offer 2 + 2 programs; a partnership with a four-year institution in which students transfer seamlessly, earning associate's and bachelor's degrees along the way. Your transfer counselor will help you with this process.
Evaluate which community or junior colleges have articulation agreements. These agreements spell out which courses to take for automatic transfer credit. While the 2 + 2 program is specific to just one university, the articulation agreement can be in effect for several.
Visit the university at the beginning of your second year. Speak with an admissions counselor. Universities may have different transfer policies. For example, one college may accept 66 transfer credits while another may accept only 56 credits.
Apply to the four-year college during your second year. The admissions office will recalculate your earned grades based on their formula before they give you an acceptance decision. Find out if the "A" at your first college is still a 4.0 at your second.
Submit all college transcripts. Once you are accepted, the Office of Student Services or the registrar will ensure that your classes are evaluated for credit.
Review the transfer credit report. It will identify your transferred classes, course requirements satisfied and the total credit earned. Hopefully, you will not lose much credit, but without a starting plan, this may happen.
Enroll at the university. Make sure your new college has received your final transcripts, showing all completed courses and earned grades. If you miss this step, you will lose college credit.
Attend an advising or registration session. Your adviser will answer any remaining questions about transfer credits and what you can expect.
Study hard because most colleges will not accept grades below a "C." While your credits may transfer in, in most cases your grades will not. The grade you receive upon graduation will be the grades earned at your second college, only.