Transferring from a Community College to a Four-Year College
Plan Ahead for Success
Community college is often the starting point of a college education. Many students begin at a two-year college and then transfer to a four-year college. If you want to take this route, it helps to gather information so that you can make wise decisions about the community college courses you take.
Successful transfer depends on many factors, such as the college where you hope to earn your bachelor’s degree and the major you choose. Check with both the community college and the four-year colleges you hope to attend to hear about the process from both points of view.
Understand the Process
Most community colleges offer two-year transfer programs that prepare students to enter a bachelor’s-degree program at a four-year college. Transfer programs include two or three types of courses: general education courses, similar to those typically taken during the first two years of a bachelor’s-degree program; electives; and, in some cases, courses that provide preparation for a specific major.
Ask About Transfer Agreements
Many community colleges have special transfer relationships, called articulation agreements, with specific four-year colleges. These agreements show how the courses you complete at the community college apply toward graduation requirements at the four-year college. The agreements may apply to individual courses or complete degrees. They help take the guesswork out of course selection. Some colleges post articulation agreements on their websites.
Confirm That Credits Will Transfer
Before registering for courses, you need to make sure the credits you earn will be recognized by the four-year college you plan to attend. Otherwise, you may need to repeat the course once you start attending the four-year college. This is especially important when taking courses in an intended major.
You should also find out which grade you need to earn in specific classes and the overall GPA you’ll need to transfer successfully. Your community college adviser can help you track down this information.
The community college course catalog might show how each course transfers to specific four-year colleges. Make sure you confirm this information with the two-year college, since it can change.
There are usually details about transferring to a four-year college on its website or in its catalog. Read the available information carefully, then contact that college’s admission office. Ask for a transfer adviser, who can help you through the process.
Talk with an Adviser at the Community College
Meet with an adviser before you register for your first-semester courses at the two-year college so you can focus your studies. Continue to meet with the adviser regularly. This will help you keep on track and make sure you’re doing all you need to do to transfer successfully.
Find Colleges
If you may want to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year college, use College Search. It can help you research potential colleges and identify the ones with the majors and programs that meet your needs.
Browse colleges using College A-to-Z listings or search for Colleges State-by-State.
