Have you wondered if transferring to another community college is a good idea? Maybe you want to change career paths but your current school doesn’t offer the degree program you’re interested in. Maybe you’re studying at an out-of-state school and want to move closer to home.
Whatever the reason, know that it’s not uncommon for students to change schools or majors. And we want the process to be easier for you. Read on for some tips on successfully transferring from one community college to another.
How to transfer from one community college to another
Before you start researching schools to transfer to, take time to think about why you want to switch campuses. Ultimately, you should go with your gut decision. But, of course, it’s a good idea to find ways to make your current school work first.
For instance, if you’re feeling unhappy and isolated, consider joining extracurricular activities or volunteering at places where you can meet other students with similar interests. If you’re transferring because you’re feeling pinched financially due to tuition costs, see if you can apply for additional scholarships or find an on-campus job to earn some extra spending money.
If your decision to transfer is final, make a list of the schools you want to transfer to (if you haven’t already). If possible, visit the campus in person to ensure it’s the right fit and see if you can learn more about the school. You can also research online communities where you can get in touch with current students.
Let’s walk through some steps to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents
Before sending your transfer application, the first thing to do is collect all the necessary documents. Many community colleges have open enrollment, which means they have no GPA requirements.
As a community college student, the transfer requirements you need are the same documents you submitted to the school you’re currently in. You may need to contact your high school for your transcript, SAT scores, or ACT scores.
Step 2: Obtain a transcript from your current community college
You must also send a transcript to the community college you want to transfer to, so the admissions office can review the college credits you’ve earned so far. Do this by requesting a sealed official transcript sent directly to the new college.
Be prepared for the possibility that a number of credits won’t carry over. It happens when a course has no equivalent at another school or the curriculum doesn’t align.
Thankfully, articulation agreements guide transfer policies. These are official guarantees that classes completed at one school will be accepted as transfer credits to another school. Basically, it’s a partnership between higher education schools.
So, it’s something to consider when you’re looking at colleges. Many public colleges have robust transfer agreements between state universities and four-year schools.
Unfortunately, it can also happen that the classes for your college degree at the new school have prerequisites you haven’t completed yet. You’d have to take those courses first, which could hold you back a semester or two.
Step 3: Apply to the new community college
Now, it’s time to send your transfer application. You’ve done this before as a high school student when you applied to your current school. You can likely do this online. Go through the transfer requirements and check that you submit all the necessary documents so you don’t have to resubmit the application later.
Step 4: Receive information back from the community college you’ve applied to
You’ll typically get a message of acknowledgment after submitting your application. The email will also tell you when to expect a reply, commonly around three to five business days. You’ll receive your new school email address, password, and student ID once your application is accepted.
Read through all the information, log into your school account, check for next steps, and address any admissions holds. Usually, an admissions hold happens if you have missing records, such as proof of residency or proof of vaccination.
Holds can prevent you from registering for college courses. If you have a hold, talk to admissions to iron out details about your future coursework. This can also be a great time to review and ask about your credit transfers.
What to do after transferring to a new community college
Between tying up loose ends at your current school and packing, there are a few things you need to do to have a good start as a transfer student. Check this list so you can spend the first week of classes ready to meet new people and advance academically.
Update your FAFSA
Update your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to include your new community college. Check for scholarships and grants you can apply for as early as possible. This will allow you enough time to write your essays and prepare the documents you need for the application.
Log into your student account to see how much your new school offers for financial aid so you can plan your spending. Also, be sure to visit your current school’s financial aid office to let them know your plans to transfer and confirm your account is fully settled.
Meet with your academic advisor or counselor
Even if all your transfer credits from your current school carry over to your new community college, being a transfer student can be overwhelming. That’s why meeting with your academic advisor to discuss your coursework is a great idea.
In addition, you can get guidance on whether your current program aligns with or supports your career goals. This is especially helpful if your plan went from getting a two-year associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.
Maybe your counselor can suggest some electives or general education courses to support your four-year degree.
Keep track of your new class start dates and times
Be sure to review your class schedule and remember your new class start dates and times. Learn where your classes are and map out routes so you don’t get lost.
Familiarizing yourself with your new school is also helpful. Check out the libraries and walk around campus to get to know the buildings.
Don’t forget to look for opportunities just for community college transfer students. Many schools offer transfer programs to help you settle in. You can also get help with common issues like housing or finding jobs on campus.
Purchase books and materials early
As you’ll learn throughout your college days, being prepared is always the best strategy. So, show up with everything you need — be it pens, notebooks, a laptop, or snacks and water.
Review the class syllabus your professors typically provide before the first day of classes so you know which books and tools you need for a particular class.
Purchasing your books early is a good idea since you might get a better price. You can also check into renting or buying used books at the bookstore — just ensure you get the correct edition so you aren’t using an outdated textbook.
Find the best school for you with help from College Rover
Transferring schools has its unique opportunities and challenges. But it’s a common occurrence for students looking to change majors, career goals, or locations. Sometimes, certain situations arise and making a switch makes sense.
If you think changing schools is the best choice for you, weigh your options and choose what feels right. After all, it’s your career and your decision to make.
Hopefully, this article helped you understand the transfer process. Check out College Rover for all the resources you need. Compare colleges, match with colleges according to your preferences, or get information about schools you’re considering.
