Music transfer information from Bergen Community College

I'm interested in pursuing music after Bergen Community College. Does anyone have experience with transferring music credits from Bergen to a four-year college, and how that process works?

Hi there. It's great to see your commitment to your musical studies. Transferring credits can indeed be a complex process, but here's some general guidance that may help.

Firstly, collaboration and communication play a key role in transferring credits. It's important to have an idea of which university you plan to transfer to, as various institutions will evaluate and accept transfers of credits differently. Once you know your target four-year college, the ideal first step is to set up a collaborative meeting with the academic advisors at both your current institution (Bergen Community College) and the potential future one. They are the best resources to help guide you through this process as they will have dealt with it regularly.

Additionally, you should carefully review the program description and course requirements of the music program at the four-year institution you're interested in. In-depth knowledge of these requirements will help you determine which classes to take at Bergen that could potentially fulfill those requirements. For example, if the four-year institution requires a course in music theory, you should look for a similar course offered at Bergen.

In terms of the actual course credits, generally, the way it works is you send your transcript from Bergen to your planned four-year institution. Their admissions or records department will evaluate your transcripts and determine which credits they will accept. After this process, you will receive a credit evaluation, documenting which credits were accepted and which were not. You can then use this evaluation to plan your future classes.

It's noteworthy that a credit transfer does not automatically equal a course match. In other words, while a four-year institution might accept all your credits from Bergen, they might not all apply to the specific requirements of your music degree. This is one of those reasons why early communication with academic advisors at both institutions is so crucial.

Lastly, bear in mind that many music programs at four-year colleges also require an audition as part of the application process. Therefore, it's essential to not only focus on your academics but also dedicatedly practice your musical skills.

Remember, transitioning from a community college to a four-year institution for a specialized field like music might seem daunting, but the right set of preparations and knowledge can certainly make the process smoother. Best of luck with your studies!