Many students make the decision to begin college life at the community college level. And, most will be planning on eventually transferring to a four-year university. In order for you to achieve that goal of transferring to that four-year university to obtain your degree, there are some important things you need to know on how to best go about accomplishing that goal.
So, here are some tips to consider:
1. Plan Ahead
Even though you will be at the community college level for two years, the earlier you prepare for transferring, the better. You should visit your top choices of four-year colleges, collect all of the transfer materials you need, and find out if there are any transfer agreements between your current community college and the four-year university you want to attend.
2. Know What Actually Transfers
Your goal should be to spend your two years at the community college and then transfer. But many students end up spending an extra semester or year at the community college because they did not take the classes needed to transfer to the four-year university they want to attend. Talk to advisers at both the community college and especially at the university you want to transfer to and they will help you choose the correct classes needed.
3. Look for Transfer Friendly Schools.
Make sure to ask the colleges that you want to transfer to if they have a transfer coordinator. Also inquire if the college has a transfer orientation or other transfer programs. You may also want to ask if the college has housing for transfer students.
4. Stay Vigilant and Choose a Major
You should meet regularly with your adviser at the community college and keep him or her informed of your transfer plans. You might want to seriously think about picking your major early so your adviser can suggest the best courses to take that meet the requirements of the four-year college you want to attend. Taking these courses will help you finish your community college more efficiently and save you time and money.
5. Don’t Forget About the Money
Contact the four-year colleges on your list and talk to the admissions office to see if it has scholarships set aside for transfer students. You can also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, many colleges provide merit scholarships to transfer students. Just remember to meet all of the deadlines!
Continuing your education at a community college is a step towards getting your college degree at a four-year university, and following these tips can help you achieve that goal. If you have any questions about transferring or anything else centered on college, please give us a call and we can set up an appointment to discuss your plans.