VCCS Transfer to College of William and Mary

I’m part of the Virginia Community College System and considering transferring to William and Mary. Does anyone know what pathways or agreements exist to facilitate this process? Tips or advice from someone who's done it would be amazing.

As someone familiar with the college transfer process in Virginia, I can definitely provide some insight. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has an excellent Guaranteed Admissions Agreement (GAA) program with a number of universities in Virginia, including the College of William and Mary.

Now, it's important to note that William and Mary's GAA is a little different from other Virginia universities’. Under the GAA, only applicants to the College’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences are guaranteed admission. Other programs and majors may require additional application materials or have other considerations.

Steps to qualify for GAA typically include:

1. Graduate with an associate degree from a VCCS school. This might be an AA (Associate of Arts), AS (Associate of Sciences), or an AAS (Associate of Applied Sciences).

2. Achieve a specified minimum GPA. For William & Mary, it is a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Remember, though, that even if you meet these requirements, admission isn't 'automatic.' Your coursework, grades, and extra-curricular activities are all considered as part of the holistic admissions process. Meeting these requirements ensures that your application will be given a serious look, but competitive applicants often have GPAs above the minimum.

Another consideration when planning the transfer process is course selection. Choosing courses that articulate well between VCCS and William and Mary can streamline the transfer process. Be sure to get in touch with your academic adviser or a transfer counselor at your current school to put together a strong plan.

Lastly, be aware of submission deadlines. The GAA requires you to submit your application by March 1 for fall entrance and November 1 for spring entrance, although these deadlines are subject to revisions by William and Mary. The application for the GAA itself needs to be completed before the student graduates from VCCS and no later than February 15 for fall entrance or October 15 for spring entrance.

In the end, successfully transferring from a VCCS school to William & Mary involves careful planning, taking the right courses, sticking to deadlines, and maintaining a strong academic record. Good luck with your transfer process!