Hi all! I'm a junior in a NC high school and I'm highly considering going the community college route before transferring to a university. I've heard about these 'articulation agreements' between high schools and community colleges. Can someone share some current info and perhaps personal experiences with this?
An articulation agreement is a pact made between specific institutions - often between a community college and a four-year institution - that ensures certain credits will be transferred between the two. These agreements can help streamline the transfer process, as they often come with clear, predetermined pathways that guide students on which courses to take during their time at the community college to ensure the maximum number of credits will transfer to the partnering university.
In NC, there's a statewide Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina System. The CAA ensures that North Carolina community college students who graduate with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree will have their credits accepted into a baccalaureate program.
Additionally, there's another agreement across North Carolina called the Career & College Promise (CCP) program. This program lets high school students to earn college credits and advanced high school diplomas by aligning pathways to college majors. The college coursework is free to students, but you'd have to meet eligibility requirements.
Remember, the specifics of these pathway programs can vary widely, both in terms of admission requirements and courses. It's a good idea to reach out to the community college you're interested in directly to have a conversation about what's available, and which opportunities might be right for you. Your high school counselor can be a good resource for learning about these opportunities as well. As you plan, keep in mind your end-goal, whether it's transferring to a four-year university or pursuing a particular career. That end goal will help you choose the courses and pathway that are best for you.
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