Guide toAcademic Transfer

Making a successful transfer from one college to another

Why students transfer…

• Students often transfer to a different college because they: o need prerequisite or remedial classeso move to a different locationo find that their current college isn’t a good fit o change their majoro are concerned about college costso want to transition to a 4-year college

Types of college transfers• Vertical transfer

o From 2-year college to 4-year college• Horizontal or lateral transfer

o From 2-year college to 2-year collegeo From 4-year college to 4-year college

• Reverse transfero Start at 4-year college, graduate from 2-year

college • Swirling transfers

o Enrolled in two or more schools simultaneously

Realities of “Gen Eds”

• Colleges have different “gen ed” requirements o Each college determines its own standards and

expectations for academic rigoro Core classes for a major might not transfero Some majors might require foreign language,

math, or scienceo Private schools might require religion classeso Credit hours can be different among schoolso Semester, quarter or clock hourso 3-hour course vs. 4-hour course

If transfer is unplanned…

• Some credits will not transfer • May have to retake classes to meet

requirements• Cost of your education may increase• May spend more years in college• Entrance into workforce may be delayed

If transfer is planned…

• Transition to 4-year college will go smoothly

• All credits will transfer• Cost of education may be lower

o credit hour cost at community college is lower than 4-year college

• You’ll complete a bachelor’s degree in a timely manner

• Determine your aspirations and goals o Consider major or area of studyo Plan for bachelor’s or master’s degree

• Seek excellent academic advising o Confirm that all classes will transfero Determine maximum transfer credit hourso Discuss GPA requirements at the next schoolo Utilize “transfer guides” found on college

websites

Step1

College transfer processwhile attending your first college

College transfer processwhile attending your first college

• Apply for admission to transfer college o Provide college and high school transcripts o Pay application fee

• Apply for financial aid o Complete the FAFSAo Inquire about scholarships for transfer

studentso Be aware that you can only receive

financial aid from one school at a time

Step2

College transfer processfor the “receiving” college

• The receiving college will review your transcripts

• Classes must match in: o academic rigoro course contento requirements for the program of studyo sequence of courses – in correct order

Step3

Academic Transfer Programs

• Nebraska Transfer Initiative• Articulation Agreements• NU Academic Transfer Program• Common Core Curriculum

Nebraska Transfer Initiative

• College classes are pre-approved o Comparable in scope, quality and rigoro Fulfills “Gen Eds” for the receiving college

• Students earn Associate of Arts degree and work toward Bachelor’s degree

• Students given Junior status at the 4-year institution

Articulation Agreement

• Contract between two colleges o Stipulates classes that transfer and total

number of credits• Must complete classes within time allowed

NU Academic Transfer Program

• If you complete associate degree program from any Nebraska community college, you are guaranteed admission to UNL, UNO or UNK

• You will be considered for transfer student scholarships

• Similar program exists for the Nebraska state college system

Common Core Curriculum

• Good way for “undecided” students to begin their undergraduate experienceo Includes 34 semester hours of classes that will

transfer