How do transfer agreements between colleges work?

If I start at a community college, how do transfer agreements help me move to a university later? Are there specific things I should look out for in these agreements?

Transfer agreements, often referred to as articulation agreements, are formal partnerships between two institutions, often involving a community college and a four-year university.

Under these agreements, if you meet certain benchmarks at your current school (like completing a specific set of courses or maintaining a minimum GPA), you're guaranteed admission to the partner university. This means you won’t have to compete with other transfer applicants. Usually, the agreement is laid out in a transfer guide or pathway, which lists the courses you need to take at community college to fulfill the general education requirements or prerequisites at the four-year university.

It's important to note that while transfer agreements guarantee admission to the university as a whole, admission to competitive programs, like nursing or engineering, may still require additional steps or standards.

Lastly, always double-check the specifics of any agreement, like whether you need to earn an associate's degree before transferring or how many credits the university will accept. Knowing these details ahead of time will help you map out your academic plan at the community college and ensure a smooth transfer process.