Introduction
Tips for Successful Transfer
Transferring can be intricate at best, especially for students who have not planned properly in advance. The following “tips” provide insight into the process. Students must exercise care and proceed in a thoroughly business like manner, assuming the responsibility for a smooth and efficient transfer.
Keep
complete and accurate records. The
university catalog in effect the year the AA degree student first enrolled at
the community college remains in effect for the student’s major, provided the
student maintains continuous enrollment as defined in that catalog.
Students should obtain a catalog from their intended university for the
same academic year as they began at the community college.
Students who know their major should also acquire a copy of the
requirements. Curriculum
Guides for most majors are available both in Student Services and on-line.
Check with a Chipola counselor for information on other majors.
After
conversing with representatives of an institution, record the first and last
name of each person with whom you spoke. List
the date, time, and type of request and keep a copy of all letters sent and
received. Request a written
confirmation of any recommendation made by a college representative.
Good record keeping gives the student an advantage by providing
documentation when questions arise later.
Be
thorough.
Transferring from a community college to a state university in Florida is
a two-step process: GENERAL ADMISSION to a university and PROGRAM
ADMISSION. Remember that it is
possible to meet general admission requirements set by a university, but not
admission requirements for a specific college program within a university.
Students
having an AA degree are automatically accepted unless the student is applying to
a program that has been designated “limited access.”
If “limited access” minimum standards are not met, universities may
deny both acceptance into the desired program and acceptance into the
university. (More and more
programs, at all universities, are becoming “limited access,” and the number
one criterion is a high GPA.)
Requirements
change from year to year. Even
though students may be protected by “catalog-in-effect,” state requirements
may supersede university requirements (e.g., requirements pertaining to
education majors). Students must
stay informed of all changes. Confer
with a counselor and meet the state university representatives when they visit
the Chipola campus.
Application
deadlines for particular programs may be much sooner than the deadline for
general admissions.
An
audition is required for students transferring into dance, music, and theatre
programs.
Send
official transcripts from all institutions attended directly to the admissions
office. Make transcript requests
through the Registrar’s Office.
In
short, students must assume the responsibility for finding out everything there
is to know about acceptance into their university and program.
Visit
the university.
Many students are “sold” on a particular institution by slick
brochures and effective marketing techniques.
Often they become disenchanted after one semester, perform poorly
academically, and return to the community college or transfer to another upper
division institution.
To
lessen “transfer shock,” students should visit all areas of the campus,
e.g., housing, student center, library, classrooms, etc. Spend plenty of time walking on campus, meeting as many
students as possible. Determine if
this is an environment in which you are comfortable.
Submit the admission application early. Submit an application at least six (6) months prior to the beginning of the planned term of entry. Official deadlines are posted in each institution’s catalog. Students may apply to a university before completing the AA degree.
Submit a separate application for financial aid. Students should begin their search for financial aid in January for the fall semester. Financial aid packets are available from the university’s financial aid office. If financial aid was received at Chipola, the university requires a financial aid transcript from this institution.
Contact
the Housing Office. University housing
offices assist students who want housing on or off campus.
Attend
orientation.
Plan to attend an orientation program if one is offered.
Orientation is invaluable and helps students schedule courses, register
and learn academic policies.
Observe
university policies and procedures. Carefully
read the undergraduate catalog, the schedule of classes, and all information
received from university offices regarding registration, financial aid, housing,
etc.
Plan a strategy to handle problems. Should transfer difficulties arise, attack the problem as calmly as you can. Realize that it takes time and patience to pursue a complaint in a constructive manner.
A student should consider what he or she wants to
happen before pursuing an issue.
Should a situation be corrected?
Should an outdated policy be revised or a new one instituted? Should someone’s behavior be changed? What a student hopes to achieve determines how he or she
pursues a concern.
Allow people time to think about concerns that are raised. Students should give themselves time to think about options presented. What sounds good today may not seem so good tomorrow. Always thank people for their help when they make exceptions or go out of their way to help.
Pursue the right of appeal. A community college transfer student who is denied admission to a university program has a right to submit a valid appeal to the appropriate university office. Florida state universities and community colleges provide articulation officers to clarify the Articulation Agreement and assist with the appeals process. At Chipola the articulation officer is Lindsay Roach. He may be contacted in the Student Services Building, “G,” or by phone 850-718-2290.
Student Services Transfer Procedures
Last Updated February 06, 2004