Transferring with an associate degree in business from Bellevue College

I'm working toward an associate degree in business at Bellevue College and plan to transfer afterward. What should I expect during this process, and are there universities that have smoother transfer pathways for business students?

When it comes to transferring from a community college to a four-year institution, having an action plan and knowing what to expect can alleviate much of the pressure.

First, it's important to understand that each university has its own protocols and criteria for transfer admissions. It's crucial to get familiar with these, and reach out to the admissions department of your target schools with specific questions.

Next, a key element to consider in the transfer process is credit compatibility. You should look up whether your targeted universities accept a sufficient amount of transfer credits from Bellevue College, particularly for business courses. An important factor here can be whether or not your community college and those universities have articulation agreements, which are essentially contracts outlining which credits will transfer. Starting your research on this early will ensure you take the right classes that will later be accepted by your target four-year colleges.

Transferring with an associate degree can often put you at the junior level in many universities, but that would still depend on the credit evaluation done by the admissions office.

Lastly, crafting a compelling narrative in your transfer application is key. This includes strong essays outlining your academic interests, aspirations, and why specifically transferring to those universities suits your goals. Also, obtaining superb recommendation letters and maintaining a high GPA will play a crucial role.

For smoother transfer pathways, some universities have established transfer programs, partnerships, or have better resources/support for transfer students. For example, the University of California system has a program called Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for California Community College students, giving them guaranteed admission to a UC campus if they meet certain criteria, and the University of Washington has a strong transfer program with Bellevue College specifically.

Remember, it's beneficial to start planning as early as possible, and don't hesitate to use all the available resources at Bellevue College, like academic advisors, who are there to guide you through this process.