When technical theater major Jasmine Baker transferred from George Washington University to Howard at the start of this spring semester, she thought she would maintain her sophomore status. However, on account of the absent grades from the consortium classes she took at GWU that were needed in order for her transcripts to be released, none of her credits would transfer. As a result, Baker was informed by her Howard adviser that she would be classified as a freshman.
Baker's situation is not new to students transferring to Howard. Michelle Cody, president of the Howard University Transfer Student Association, estimates that 85 percent of transfer students lose credits upon transferring to Howard.
"One of the biggest problems that transfer students have is when they assume that all of their transfer credits are going to transfer, and they don't," said Cody, a junior economics and administration of justice double major.
That was the case for senior broadcast journalism major Mike Holmes. Holmes transferred to Howard from Prince George's Community College in the spring of 2004. Although he had completed 76 credits prior to enrolling, only 62 actually went toward his scheme.
"Applying classes to graduation schemes was extremely difficult," Holmes said.
Jacqueline Deckard, the director of academic services in the School of Business, also oversees credits being transferred from the schools students transfer from. "I don't understand why students pick a major at another school and then transfer and think they're going to get all their credits," Deckard says. She states that certain classes, being major course requirements, have to be taken at the school from which students will graduate. Otherwise, students can expect to have problems transferring credits.
"We're accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business," Deckard said. "The only problem is that the AAC doesn't accredit every college."
Still, some students who have gone through the hassle of getting credits transferred think there are problems on the administrative level that make it more difficult to transfer their credits.
"Originally, when you get to Howard, they don't let you know before you step on the campus how many credits they are taking," Cody said. "Sometimes the counselors won't take the extra step to find out if your credits can transfer or not."
To help alleviate this problem, HUTSA tries to have orientation for incoming transfer students to educate them on everything they need to get their credits transferred. However, administrators like Deckard think transfer students should make necessary preparations before transferring.
"I'd advise students to take the general core curriculum at previous colleges in order to receive the maximum credits," Deckard said.
As for Baker, she takes this ordeal as a lesson learned. "Keep copies of everything," she said. "You need to be in their face, don't let them brush you off."
