Transfer Services

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, follow these essential steps to begin your journey and ensure a seamless transition.

CONSIDER YOUR CAREER GOAL

Do you know what career you plan to pursue? What is your major? If you’re undecided, consider using Focus 2, an online career assessment tool to help you identify interests, skills, etc. You will need to Register through the portal link using your FCC email address (access code is cougar). 

For further assistance, you may schedule a Career Advising appointment through the Counseling & Advising.

RESEARCH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND

Once you have a career direction and you have a major in mind (or a short list of majors), research schools that offer this major(s). How do you research??

• Stay in Maryland: Use ARTSYS to "Search for Majors" and generate a list of public four-year colleges that fit your goals.
• Explore Beyond Maryland: Use College Board BigFuture to filter public and private institutions nationwide by location, major, and tuition.
• Consult Faculty: Seek personalized college recommendations and guidance from your faculty advisor.
• Attend Transfer Fairs: Meet with representatives on campus during major fairs held every October and March.
• Monitor Events: Check the FCC calendar and your FCC email for recruiter visits and individual college table events.
• Schedule Advising: Contact the Counseling, Advising & Planning Office to book a pre-transfer appointment with a four-year admission advisors.
• Visit Campuses: Register for open houses or admissions tours directly through your target college’s website to experience the campus firsthand.

REVIEW ADMISSION AND TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

After selecting your target colleges, visit their Undergraduate Admissions pages under the Transfer section to review these key requirements:

Credit & GPA Minimums:

• Requirements: Check the minimum credits and GPA required for transfer eligibility.
• Deadlines: Note the application deadline; aim for the priority date if one is listed.
• Major-Specific Criteria: Determine if your major requires a higher GPA or specific "gateway" prerequisite courses.
• Financial Aid: Confirm all scholarship and financial aid deadlines and submission requirements.

REVIEW GENERAL EDUCATION AND MAJOR REQUIREMENTS AT THE TRANSFER SCHOOL 

Once you have narrowed down your list of colleges, review the specific transfer admission details on each institution’s website by following these steps:

• Locate Transfer Pages: Navigate to "Undergraduate Admissions" or "Prospective Students," then select "Transfer Students" or "Transfer Admission."
• Evaluate Credits & GPA: Check for a minimum number of required transfer credits and the minimum GPA necessary for application.
• Track Deadlines: Note the admission application deadline and prioritize any listed "priority dates."
• Verify Major-Specific Requirements: Determine if your intended major has additional gateway prerequisites or higher GPA standards.
• Review Financial Support: Identify all scholarship and financial aid requirements along with their respective deadlines.

1. Locating the Transfer Page
   Visit the university’s Admissions site and look for keywords like Transfer Applicants, Transfer Students, or Transfer Center.
2. Preparing the Application Process:
   Identify the required platform (e.g., Common App, Coalition, or Institution-specific).
   Eligibility: Check for a minimum credit count required to qualify as a transfer student.
   Fees & Essays: Note the application cost and any required essay prompts.
3. Monitoring Deadlines
   Confirm dates for your intended semester (Fall or Spring).
   Prioritize early action or priority dates over regular deadlines.
   Check if the school uses rolling admissions.
4. Submitting Official Transcripts
   Request official transcripts from every college attended.
   FCC Students: Send transcripts via Parchment after final grades are posted.
   Verify if high school transcripts are also required.
5. Additional Requirements
   Standardized Tests: Check if SAT/ACT scores are needed.
   Major-Specifics: Look for "Gateway" prerequisites, portfolio requirements, or higher GPA minimums for your specific program.
   Recommendations: Confirm if letters of recommendation are required.

Questions?
Contact the target institution’s Office of Admissions directly for specific inquiries.

When researching a four-year college or university for transfer, evaluate the following essential factors to ensure the best fit:

• Academic & Institutional Quality: Review academic offerings, accreditation, and the school’s reputation, including retention and graduation rates.
• Financial Aid & Admissions: Compare the total cost of attendance and specific admission requirements.
• Campus Environment: Consider the size and diversity of the student body, available housing options, and the campus location or transportation services.
• Student Experience: Investigate available support services and campus life, such as clubs, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

Key Research Tools

• ARTSYS: Maryland Colleges and Universities Articulation System.
• CollegeBoard: Comprehensive college search and filtering.
• CollegeSource: Online database for digital catalogs and transfer keys.
• College Scorecard: Data on costs, graduation, and post-school earnings.
• College Navigator: Detailed institutional data from the Department of Education.

To assist students in transferring, FCC has transfer articulation agreements with a variety of institutions. The agreements generally maximize the number of credits students will be able to transfer from FCC to result in a smooth transition from one institution to the other. These agreements are in addition to the state of Maryland's computerized articulation system, called ARTSYS, which outlines individual course equivalencies and recommended transfer programs for a variety of majors offered by all Maryland Public Institutions and a number of private institutions.

Students can find a list of these Transfer Articulation Agreements in the FCC Academic Catalog. 

Each semester, FCC hosts a Transfer Fair with approximately 40 area four-year colleges/universities in attendance. 

Students also have the opportunity to meet with area four-year college admissions representatives who visit FCC for on-site recruiting events and one-on-one advising. 

See the Events Calendar above for upcoming events.