A lot of students come to CVCC with the idea of getting their general education courses out of the way so they can transfer to a "real" college.
Well, CVCC is a real college and your academic performance here may well determine whether or not you WILL be able to transfer.
If you are planning to transfer to a four year school there are a number of things you need to keep in mind:
First and foremost- transferring is a process not something that you think about when you are done here. If you wait until the end of your academic career her to think about this issue, you may end up missing credits that are pre-requisites for the program you want to get into. Or, you may have taken classes that were easy but don't transfer at all.
Second; Feet on the ground! Just because your best friend likes a certain college that doesn't mean it is the right place for you. Does this school even have the program you want? You need to know.
Third: Once you do know that the school has the program you want, it is important to work both with a CVCC counselor and the transfer counselor at the four-year school to make sure you take the courses here that will help you the most at your transfer institution.
Fourth: You need to be aware of all the guaranteed admissions agreements AND that they are all NOT the same. READ THEM!
Fifth: Be aware that if your GPA is high enough you may be eligible for the transfer scholarship sponsored by the state. Your final transcript, the one that says you graduated will have a notation to that effect on it. Be sure to bring that to the attention of the financial aid people at the four year school.
And Sixth: Remember that graduation is not automatic. You must fill out an application for graduation telling the school that you plan to graduate in a particular semester so they can evaluate your transcript to make sure you aren't missing something.
Last but not least, don't guess, don't assume, don't depend on what "they" say; come ask a counselor.
Here is where you can get updated information about transferring to the four year school of your choice.
So You Want to Transfer?
All those students planning on transferring to a four year school next fall: Make sure all of your information has been sent to the transfer school! Many deadlines have already past but others will be coming up very soon.
Many students come out of high school expecting college will be exciting and easily handled. Many have no idea what they want to do ... except go to college.
Knowing what you want is important. You need to pick a direction. You need to know that your path is achievable. Planning that path is vital.
Transferring to a four year school is a process not just an event. Talk to a counselor as you plan your future.