Transferring from Oakland Community College to Michigan State

I'm considering transferring from Oakland Community College to Michigan State. What should I expect in terms of the transfer process? Any tips on making sure my credits transfer smoothly?

The transfer process from Oakland Community College (OCC) to Michigan State University (MSU) is fairly straightforward, but it does involve a few steps.

Firstly, it's important to note that not every credit obtained at a community college will transfer over to a four-year university. To see whether your OCC credits will transfer to MSU, you can use the Transfer MSU search tool on the MSU transfer admissions website, which allows you to enter your courses and see how they will transfer.

You'll want to be proactive in ensuring your credits are evaluated accurately. Before leaving OCC, get in touch with an academic advisor there and ask for assistance in mapping out your courses and how they'll transfer to MSU. After you've been accepted by MSU, get in touch with an advisor there as well. They can help ensure that all of your applicable OCC credits have been correctly transferred.

In terms of the application process itself, you'll need to submit an application through the Common Application or Coalition Application, just as you would when initially applying to colleges. Aside from the standard application form requirements, you must also submit official transcripts from all colleges you've attended, including OCC.

If applicable, high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores might also be requested, especially if you have earned less than 28 transferable semester credits. Keep deadlines in mind — MSU has fall, spring, and summer admission and the deadlines vary.

Last but not least, in your application, don’t forget to highlight your growth and what you’ve achieved at OCC and your reasons for wanting to transfer to MSU specifically. Be sure to explain why MSU is the ideal destination for continuing your academic journey and tying their resources to your future academic and career goals.

With careful planning and clear communication with your advisors at both institutions, you can maximize the number of credits transferred and set yourself up for a successful transition to MSU. Good luck!