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Plan. Plan. Plan. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we really can’t stress enough how important it is to plan for a smooth transfer. Too many students think of “transferring out” as their last step at AACC, but really, your transfer goals should shape your entire AACC experience. Deciding what you ultimately want – and then taking steps every term toward those goals – is the only way to ensure that every course you take, every skill you learn and every dollar you spend at AACC will bring you the best possible return.
From your first day as an AACC student, start working on these steps to ensure a successful transfer.
There are three choices to make when deciding your ultimate goals: your career, your major and your four-year institution.
College is the first step toward your career, so begin your planning by thinking about what profession you want to pursue. Not sure? Our Career Services team can help!
Sometimes, several majors can lead to the same career outcome. Once you have a career goal in mind, we can help you determine what majors at the four-year schools lead to those careers, and what degree paths at AACC lead to those majors. As you explore your options, be sure to consider your strengths and interests.
With a career and a major in mind, you can choose a college or university that’s the best fit for you Whether it’s a public or private school in Maryland or beyond, our advisors can help you find a school that suits you academically, financially, socially and otherwise.
With your ultimate goals in mind, you can choose the right courses to get you there. Meet with an academic advisor during your very first term to develop your education plan, and revisit that plan every term to make sure you’re on track for the smoothest transfer possible.
There are two categories of courses to consider:
General Education Requirements are courses required for most majors at all two- and four-year colleges and universities. Their purpose is to ensure that your education is well-rounded.
All AACC’s General Education credits are guaranteed to transfer to any Maryland public institution. Many public and private schools inside and outside Maryland will accept them too. But that doesn’t mean the General Education Requirements at AACC necessarily meet all the General Education Requirements at your four-year school of choice. That’s why choosing your desired institution early is so critical. Knowing your desired transfer school early on helps us ensure you meet not only AACC’s requirements, but that institution’s requirements as well.
Discipline (or major) Requirements are courses within your specific major. Every four-year institution has slightly different Discipline Requirements, so depending on your desired institution, our advisors can help you plan your best course of study.
If you’re planning to transfer to a Maryland public institution, you can access a resource called the Maryland Articulation System, or ARTSYS. ARTSYS indicates how your AACC courses will transfer to other Maryland institutions. It also offers recommended transfer programs at AACC for a variety of majors.
Once you’ve defined your goals and planned your AACC journey around those goals, the last step is to apply for admission to your choice school.
To give yourself the best chance of admission, apply by the school's priority deadline.
It’s also important to plan ahead to complete the application. Consider these questions:
Usually four-year institution applications require an essay (sometimes called a personal statement). Ask an AACC professor to discuss topic ideas and/or review your essay before you submit.
The Writing Center also offers free help with transfer essays and personal statements.
Choose your reference providers carefully and give them at least three weeks to complete and submit your reference. Don’t forget to send thank-you notes when they’ve completed the task.
Our Employment Services team can help you prepare for college interviews too.
Make sure to submit your FAFSA and understand any requirements for scholarship consideration.
Set a reminder to request an official AACC transcript after each term following your application submission. After all, if you’ve completed more coursework or improved your GPA, you want your four-year institution to know.
Build relationships with an admissions counselor at your four-year institution and ask for their help to ensure you’ve fulfilled all requirements.
Check out these frequently asked questions. If you still don’t find what you need, contact an academic advisor today.
AACC partners with other Maryland community college to create opportunities for you to earn associate degrees or certificates in the health care or health disciplines across the state. This alliance provides a seamless pathway for you to complete a health care program that may not be available at your home college.
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Transferring from a community college to a four-year institution can be a confusing process at times. Luckily, at AACC we set our students up for success where you can effectively transfer credits and continue your educational ambitions after leaving our classrooms.
Learn how you can successfully transfer
