How do transfer credits work at Big Bend Community College?

I'm considering Big Bend Community College and curious about how their credits transfer to a four-year university. Does anyone have experience with this process?

At Big Bend Community College, the transfer process is generally straightforward. The college offers both state-recognized direct transfer degrees that are designed to meet the distribution requirements of bachelor programs across most fields of study in public and private colleges and universities in Washington State.

These degrees include the Associate in Arts and Sciences (D.T.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.-T) in either Biological and Environmental/Resource Sciences or Physical Sciences, and Associate in Business (D.T.A. – MRP). They are designed to fulfill the general education core of a bachelor’s degree so when you've completed one of these programs, you'll be able to generally transfer to a four-year institution as a junior. However, remember that guaranteeing you can transfer as a junior doesn't mean your credits will satisfy specific course requirements at the four-year school.

It's important to note that the labor of figuring out how credits will transfer rests primarily on your shoulders. Most institutions offer some information on how credits from Big Bend may transfer to another institution, though you'll have to navigate the process. Consider doing the following:

1. Consult with your academic counselor at Big Bend. They can guide you to resources and previous transfer agreements, which can give you an idea about which courses are transferable.

2. Reach out to the admissions department at the four-year college you're hoping to transfer to. They will be the most knowledgeable about how credits from Big Bend Community College transfer to their institution specifically. Remember that while general education credits often transfer easily, electives and major-specific courses might not.

3. Consider using a credit equivalency tool, if available. Some four-year schools provide these to see how credits from a community college might transfer.

Remember, the best way to ensure smooth credit transfer is to know where you want to transfer, what major you want to pursue, and to plan your Big Bend coursework accordingly.