Navigating Maryland Community College Transfers

I'm at a community college in Maryland and planning to transfer to a four-year university. Does anyone know how the process works, like how many credits are usually transferable and if there are any specific resources to help?

Absolutely, Maryland has several transfer programs and support systems in place for community college students looking to make the transition to a four-year institution.

Maryland community colleges have articulation agreements with many four-year institutions within and outside the state. Articulation agreements are formal partnerships between two or more colleges and universities documenting the transfer policies for a specific academic program or degree. They ensure that the credits you earn at your community college will apply towards your bachelor's degree.

Furthermore, Maryland has a transfer compact which means students who complete an associate's degree at a Maryland community college can have the credits earned apply towards general education requirements at their receiving college or university. However, the number of transferable credits can depend on the community college, the four-year university, and the specific program you pursue.

To facilitate this, Maryland launched the ARTSYS system, an Online Transfer Information System that helps you evaluate how your course credits would transfer to different institutions and programs. It is best to review your specific college's agreement through ARTSYS before selecting your course list each semester.

Moreover, many colleges have transfer advisors who can assist you. These advisors are knowledgeable about the requirements for various programs at different universities and can guide you on which classes to take to ensure as many of your credits as possible will transfer.

Remember, while the majority of credits can usually transfer, some specialized or remedial courses may not. Also, it's important to think about your intended major at the four-year institution when choosing your classes at community college. This will help you stay on track to complete your bachelor’s degree program on time once you transfer.

Remember to keep in mind the application deadlines and requirements for your target universities, too.

Lastly, maintaining a strong academic performance is vital, as the admission process for transfer students can still be competitive, and better grades can improve your likelihood of admission. Good luck!