It is never too early to start planning for college transfer. In fact, we recommend students meet with a transfer counselor during their first semester of study if they plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
For more information, attend an upcoming Guide to College Transfer information session on Thursday, September 3 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, September 10 at 3 p.m.
Transfer planning involves a series of steps, and a Center for Careers and Transfer counselor can help throughout this process. Below are general guidelines for successful transfer to a four-year school. Please visit the CCT website for more information about each of these steps.
Meet with a Transfer Counselor — Meet one-on-one, during a scheduled appointment, to address your transfer needs.
Determine Your Career Goals — Successful transfer planning includes knowing your career goals since transfer planning is inherently tied to career planning. If you are undecided about a career path, begin a self-assessment/career exploration process immediately.
Choose a Major — Deciding on a major is easier once you have determined your career goals. Consider these two questions:
1. What is the appropriate major at the four-year college to prepare me for my career path?
2. What is the corresponding Hudson Valley major to maximize transfer of credits into the four-year program?
Sometimes, this is not as obvious as it may seem. Some majors within the same program are designed specifically to transfer while some are intended for students seeking immediate entry into the workforce.
Make Appropriate Course Selections — Once you select a major, maximize transfer of credits with appropriate course selections. Hudson Valley has many formal articulation agreements with four-year institutions that outline course recommendations (particularly use of elective credits). If there is no formal agreement, course selections are best determined by consulting with your four-year college of choice.
Transfer and General Education Requirements — Nearly all colleges and universities have predetermined courses that students are required to complete in addition to degree program requirements. These courses are usually referred to as General Education or Liberal Arts requirements, and typically include courses in areas such as math, science, humanities, and social science.
Investigate Colleges/Universities — Selecting a transfer college/university requires you to compare your goals and preferences to the characteristics of particular colleges. But first, determine whether a given school offers your desired program of study.
Decide When to Transfer — It is not necessary to complete your associate degree before you transfer, but it may be beneficial to do so.
Apply — Most four-year schools encourage students to apply online. Check with the school for specific guidelines. HVCC graduates can apply to up to seven SUNY schools without paying the application fee!
There are many factors that impact the college transfer process. Connect with a transfer counselor in the Center for Careers and Transfer to discuss the process. Contact the office at (518) 629-7326 or cce@hvcc.edu.
Published: Wed, 02 Sep 2020 11:50:31 +0000 by s.weinlein