I'm looking into transferring from PG Community College to the University of Maryland and wondering how well credits transfer. Has anyone gone through this? I'd appreciate any insights about the process or any challenges I might face.
Starting off at a community college and then transferring to a four-year institution is a common path, and it can save students a lot of money. When it comes to transferring from Prince George's Community College (PG) to University of Maryland (UMD), most of your credits should transfer without any issues given that both institutions are public and in-state. However, there are some crucial facts to keep in mind.
First, whether or not your credits transfer will depend largely on what classes you've taken at PG. General education courses or courses that match up well with the requirements in your intended major at UMD will likely transfer over smoothly. More specialized or unique courses might be more difficult.
The University of Maryland has a tool called Transfer Credit Services which allows you to see how courses from other institutions transfer to UMD. If you haven't checked that out yet, it may be worth a look to see what courses from PG have been accepted previously.
Next, the grade you earned in the course can affect transferability. UMD usually requires at least a C- grade for the course to be eligible for transfer. Be sure to check specific requirements for your intended major, as some departments may have higher grade requirements.
Additionally, even if credits transfer, they might not fulfill specific requirements for your intended major. You might need to work with an academic advisor at UMD to ensure you're meeting all your program requirements.
Lastly, UMD has a limit on the number of transferable credits (including credits from a community college), so you'll want to be aware of that as you make plans.
Remember that transferring is more than just credit transfer. You'd need to look into UMD's admission criteria for transfer students, which might include academic performance, completion of certain prerequisite courses, recommendation letters, and more. Meeting with a transfer advisor before you apply could be very helpful and give you a clear picture of the steps you need to take to guarantee a smooth transfer process.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.