With its development into a four-year university, BYU-Idaho sees fewer students transferring to other schools, said Barbara Smith, career and academic adviser. However, the school maintains transfer agreements with all Utah and Idaho universities and three universities in Washington.

These universities agree to fully recognize an associate degree, which means that the transferring student does not have to complete additional general education requirements toward a bachelor’s degree.

A student who is considering transferring to another school should first study other universities and their transfer policies. “Get to know an adviser at the other school. Ask for help with the transfer process,” Smith said.

Each university maintains its own transfer policy. At BYU-I, students transferring from schools with which the school has an agreement can easily transfer their credit. It is a little more difficult if the student transfers from a school with which BYU-I does not have an agreement, said Cheryl Calderwood, lead registration clerk in the Registrar’s Office.

Schools that do not have an agreement will generally look at a student’s transcript, class by class, to see which credits can transfer to their program.

To be considered a transfer student, one must have at least 24 to 30 credits. If the student has less than 24 credits, he or she is considered an incoming freshman and must include a high school transcript and ACT or SAT score with the transfer application, along with the college credit that he or she has earned.

If the transferring student has not completed a degree, than transfer credit will be taken on a class-by-class basis. Students who are planning on transferring to another school should focus on general education classes, Smith said.

Students who are transferring should be aware of deadlines and fees, warned Smith. She suggests that students seek help before and during the transfer process from the career and academic adviser here and at the other school.