Transferring Credits from CT Community Colleges

How does the process work for transferring credits from a community college in Connecticut to a four-year institution? Are there any common pitfalls to avoid to ensure that credits are accepted?

Transferring credits from a community college to a four-year institution is generally a two-step process.

Firstly, while still at the community college, you ought to meet with your academic advisor or counselor. They can help you understand what courses are most likely to be accepted by four-year institutions, especially if you have a specific one in mind.

You should also research the four-year schools you're considering. Many universities have transfer credit databases or guides that show which community college credits they've accepted in the past. Use these resources to inform your academic planning.

The second key step is managing the transfer process itself. Typically, you will need to send your official transcript from your community college to the four-year school. The registrar or admissions office at the four-year institution will review your transcript and determine which credits to accept.

Connecticut has a Transfer and Articulation Policy (TAP) which allows students to seamlessly transfer from a Connecticut community college to a Connecticut state university or UConn Business School. You'll want to check the specific transfer agreements between your community college and the four-year institutions you're considering. These agreements, or pathways, will specify the courses you should take for your credits to transfer smoothly.

Common pitfalls to avoid during this process include:

1. Not researching transfer-friendly schools: Always check which schools have articulation agreements with your community college. Some colleges are known to be more transfer-friendly and might accept more credits from the community college, saving you time and money.

2. Not meeting with an academic counselor: They can help guide your course selection to ensure you're taking classes that are likely to transfer.

3. Waiting to initiate the transfer process: Start the transfer process early. It can take time for schools to evaluate transcripts and issue decisions on credit transfers.

Remember, completing your associate degree at the community college may offer a clear path to bachelor’s degree completion due to transfer agreements. So, it can sometimes work in your favor to complete your degree at the community college before moving on to the four-year institution.

Through careful planning and early action, you can maximize the number of credits you can transfer, making your pathway to a four-year degree much smoother.