Expert: Bruce - 6/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: I attend a community college in Kentucky but I want to transfer to a university outside of KY. Hopefully, in the Fall of 2008. Maybe in Georgia, D.C., Virginia, etc. I'm not entirely sure. I want to know if I have a good chance of being admitted without having wasted my time and money in community college. I don't want to have to start from "square one" at a university.

ANSWER: Hi Dee,

A couple of questions for you - then I think I can advise you reasonably well:

Will you be pursuing an associates degree?

If so, will that be an A.A. an A.S. or an A.A.S.?

What do you want to study at the university level?

Approximate GPA you have at the 2 year school?

Thanks. Will await your reply.

Bruce

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I transferred to the comm. college from a university because I hated it and my grandfather became ill. I had a 2.5 GPA when I began to take a remedial summer class in May 07- June 07. I'm using a the C.C. as a "pit stop" to decide the college I want to obtain my bachelor's. I don't want an Associate's. I hope to major in psychology, minor in religious studies. I'm interested in attending a Historically Black College or Univ.(HBCU) Maybe Spelman, Howard or Hampton. My GPA was from the university. I will be taking a full load beginning fall 07 & spring 08 for sure at the comm. college.

Answer
Dee,

I think your plan is a good one, and you should have plenty of college options awaiting you.

Using the community college as a pit stop makes good sense. When you apply to your 4 year school you certainly can explain the reasons for switching from the Univ to the CC, and they should be understanding about that. So, I do not think that your time/money is wasted at a community college.

The 2.5 GPA even if unimproved would be OK for transfer to some schools; others will want a higher GPA. Your fall semester at the CC will be important as that will be the last full semester of grades the 4 year school will see when you apply for study for fall '08.  

You could consider at the CC repeating any university course you got lower than a C in. That way when the 4 year school calculates your overall GPA it might only look at the repeated grade (if you want to repeat any courses that you got passed but struggled in, and will receive financial aid this coming year, be sure to check with the Fin Aid office before repeating).

The only other advice I have is to avoid taking any higher level psych courses at the CC, since your next college will want you to take them there. Ditto for religion classes if your CC offers any of those.

As far as out of state admission goes - if the college you apply to is public, it may limit the amount of out of staters they take in. If its a private college, that shouldn't be a factor. DO a great job in your fall classes, and it may not be an issue either way.

Hope this info helps. Things should work out for you. Please feel free to send along additional questions as needed.

Bruce