How to Transfer to a 4-Year College

Many students begin their higher education at community colleges by earning an Associate's degree and then transferring to a 4-year college for their Bachelor's and beyond. Alternately, many other students begin in a 4-year college, but decide to transfer to another 4-year school to complete their degree program. Depending on the types of academic institutions involved, transferring to a 4-year college can be confusing. However, by following a few key steps, transferring to a 4-year college can be a smooth process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Official college transcripts

1. Meet with an academic counselor during your first semester at your first school to plan your course schedule. A counselor will be able to advise you on which course credits are more likely to transfer to 4-year colleges.
2. Keep in contact with your academic counselor during subsequent semesters to make sure you're staying on track with your course selections and for further advice on transfer school selection.
3. Choose a 4-year college where most of your credits will transfer. Many states have transfer modules in place to make the process smoother between public institutions by creating common class requirements. However, private colleges do not have to adhere to these statewide models and therefore they may not accept all of the transfer credits that a public university would.
4. Apply 9-12 months before you will enroll at your desired 4-year college. Contact the college to find out how to apply.
5. Apply for federal, state, and school financial aid by the appropriate deadlines. Every type of financial aid program is different, but many use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to get your FAFSA in on time.
6. Contact the advising department of the 4-year college to which you're transferring and set up a meeting with an academic counselor there. Many colleges have transfer counselors whose primary function is to aid incoming students through the transfer process.
7. Request copies of your official transcripts through your current school's records & registration department. These documents will be necessary when speaking with the counselor at your desired 4-year college. Transcripts are used to determine the courses for which you will receive credit at your transfer school.

Tips & Warnings

• It's always a good idea to have a backup school in mind in case your first choice 4-year school falls through.
• Your current college's library has books and databases specifically geared towards transfer school information. Peterson's and Barron's guidebooks give specifics of 4-year schools across the country. The database College Source is available through your library or through CollegeBoard.com and also provides information about 4-year schools.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
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