How do transfer credits from a community college work at UNC?

I'm planning to start at a community college and then transfer to UNC. Can anyone explain how the transfer credit process works? Are there specific courses I should focus on to make the transfer smoother?

UNC Chapel Hill has a fairly straightforward process when it comes to evaluating transfer credits from a community college. Once you have been admitted to UNC, the Admissions Office sends your transcripts to the Transfer Credit Department, which evaluates each course based on criteria such as content, level, hours of instruction, and whether the course aligns with UNC’s coursework.

As a general rule, courses that are similar in nature to the ones offered at UNC are more likely to be accepted for credit, especially if they are academic in nature (think math, science, humanities, and social sciences). Technical, vocational, or remedial courses don't usually transfer. Keep in mind that the grade you received in the course must be at least a C (not a C-) for the class to be considered for transfer.

Your work's credit worth would usually be given as either general elective credit if it doesn’t correspond directly to a course at UNC, or as a specific course credit if there's a direct equivalent at UNC. This can be beneficial as you may be able to skip intro courses or prerequisites in your chosen major with your transfer credits.

Additionally, UNC has partnered with some state community colleges on the "Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP)" program, which ensures admissions to select low-to-moderate-income students if they successfully fulfill the program requirements. If your community college participates in this program, it could be a great way to ensure a smooth transfer process.

Finally, a proactive step you can take is to meet with an adviser at your community college. They can potentially help guide your course selection towards classes that have associations with courses at UNC, making it more likely that your credits will transfer. You might also find course equivalency databases and transfer guides on UNC’s website or your community college’s site. These tools can give you a clearer idea of how your courses could transfer.

Remember, it's always best to confirm these details with the admissions office at UNC and your community college counselor to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.