When do I send in my transcripts?

When am I supposed to do this? Im transferring credits from one community college to another. Im going to speak to a advisor to help me decide which classes to pick, but am I supposed to have my transcripts sent to my new school before I meet with an academic advisor? Or can I still do it afterwards? How do I get my transcripts sent? Do I have to call up and ask my old school if they will transfer my transcripts?When do I send in my transcripts?
There are 2 different kinds of transcripts: official, and unofficial. When transferring schools, they will need your official transcript eventually. However, if you are just going to need them to meet with an academic advisor, the unofficial one might do. The transcript is just for your advisor to know what classes you've already taken, what is transferrable or compatible, so they could see what else you need to get you back on track of graduating or going to a 4 year. I would ask the school which one you need, but if you aren't sure, just bring in an unofficial one on the day you see your advisor. You get official (probably with a small fee and a few weeks) and unofficial (free and same day) transcripts from the school you are coming from. Call them up, but its way better to get them in person.