The Transfer Times        February 2005

In this issue:


 

 

 

 

TRANSFER & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION DAYS @ MONTGOMERY COLLEGE  

Tuesday, Feb. 22 MC Takoma Park   10 am – 1 pm   Student Lounge
Wednesday, Feb. 23 MC Germantown   10 am - 1 pm High Tech (HT) Bldg  
Wednesday, March 2 MC Rockville 9 am - 1 pm   Physical Education Bldg

Representatives from over 30 colleges and universities will be available to meet with students to answer questions about majors, the application process, scholarships and transfer requirements. 
ALL students are encouraged to attend - even first semester freshmen can benefit from Transfer Day. 

Planning to Transfer for Fall 2005?  The Time to Apply is NOW!

Students who want to transfer to four-year colleges next fall should try to finish admissions applications and financial aid forms by this March 1, 2005. 

  • But the deadline says “July 1”!  Yes, many schools publish later deadlines than March 1 for fall transfer, but the preferred deadline for maximum consideration is March 1.  Check with each school for transfer application requirements.  Will it be too late after March 1?  Not always – some schools continue to admit students until they run out of space, but your chances of acceptance improve with an earlier application.

  • Are you a true Transfer Student?  You usually are if you’ve earned 30 transferable credits.  This means that at the time you apply, you have 30 completed courses and grades showing on your transcript. The actual number varies by school (at Salisbury ,  it’s 24 credits), but the general rule is 30.  A school like UMCP wants to see completion of college-level math and English as part of the 30 or more credits.  Check with each school to fine-tune who is a "transfer student."  At many schools, if you meet the definition of a transfer student, then you may not be asked to submit your high school record and SAT scores.  This varies by school – check transfer admissions guidelines.  
  • What if you don’t have 30 credits completed?  Most schools will ask to see your high school record and SAT scores in addition to a transcript of your grades from MC.  Be aware that colleges will put more weight on your MC transcript than on your SAT/hs record – so even if you weren’t admissible to a school while you were a senior in high school, if your college grades are good, transfer acceptance may be possible.  Schools want to know that you have the ability to perform well at the college-level and are less interested in your high school past.     
  • I took some developmental courses the first semester – Will they be enough to show my ability to work in college?  Often, four-year schools like to see that you’ve taken college-level English and math.  Schools that want more evidence of your academic ability may ask for mid-term and final grades from this Spring 2005 before making a decision.  It could be that staying an additional semester at MC (next Fall) and transferring in the Spring would make you a stronger candidate for transfer.  Meet with a counselor at MC to discuss this if you’re in doubt.
  • Paper or on-line?  Most schools prefer on-line applications now.  If the school offers an on-line application, use it.  You can print out a copy as a rough draft before you enter information into the on-line form.
  Do I have to submit an essay?  Some schools have an optional essay (UMCP’s is optional for transfer students) – for others, it’s a requirement.  In any case, complete the essay – it shows your genuine interest and willingness to work.  Search with Google - “writing college essays” for guidelines and tips, but do NOT pay for an essay writing service.  Counselors and English professors and the Writing Centers here at MC may be glad to look over essays if you ask for assistance.  Definitely have someone read over your final draft before you submit it.
  • How do I send MC transcripts?  Request a copy of your current transcript to go with your application in March.  Transcript request forms are at the Admissions Office – fill out the form and pay the $5.00 fee per request.  Write out the address of the school as per the admissions application instructions.  If you’re applying to a Maryland public school, under “Special Instructions” write “Please send electronically if available.”  Most schools prefer electronic transcripts.  
  • Remember to request a final transcript at the end of the semester… after you’ve heard from schools, be sure to send a copy of your final grades from Spring 2005 to the school that you’ll be attending next Fall.  Yes, you have to request a second copy, and it’ll cost another $5, but it means that all of your course information will be transferred.  If you attend summer school, you may want to wait until you complete courses before sending that final transcript.  

$$$  MONEY MATTERS…  $$$

If you get financial aid now at Montgomery College, then you will most likely get it at the next school.  Submit your FAFSA for the Fall 2005 School Year by March 1 for maximum consideration of financial aid.  Unsure about where you’ll end up?  List all the schools that interest you on the FAFSA.  Taxes not done yet and parental units objecting to filling out the form now?  That information can be estimated based on the previous year’s information, and amended once taxes have been officially completed.  It’s better to apply by March 1 with an estimation than to wait until April.  

  •   Even if you DIDN’T qualify for financial aid at MC, don’t assume that you won’t at a more expensive four-year school.  File a free FAFSA and see what happens.  All public 4-year schools cost at least double the tuition of MC, and most private schools are 3 to 5 times more expensive than MC.  
  • Scholarships…  'Tis the Season!  Four-year schools like to reward bright transfer students.  Look into transfer scholarships on each school’s web page (usually under “financial aid’), and investigate other scholarship opportunities.  Start at the MC Transfer Scholarship Page and go from there…     www.montgomerycollege.edu/transfer  

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Transfer

Do I have to have an AA to transfer?   It’s not always necessary to complete an AA before you go, although
completion of an Associates degree can be helpful if:

Do I stand a better chance of getting in to a competitive major if I apply as “Undecided’?  Probably not, especially if the University of Maryland, College Park is your destination.  See an MC counselor to discuss this.  

 

    The Transfer Studies Certificate

     Have you already or will you complete 30 transferable credits at the end of this semester?  Then you may be a candidate for the Transfer Studies Certificate, a new program designed for students who intend to transfer but who might not complete a two-year degree before they go.  This 30-credit certificate includes courses from General Education as well as electives that can be taken to meet the requirements of the four-year college(s) of interest to you.

Go through the Transfer Studies Checklist to see if you qualify!

 

 

Where Do Montgomery College Students Transfer?

We love this question!  The answer is:  Anywhere they wish to go!  

Last year, over 4,300 Montgomery College students transferred to schools in 42 different states 
across the nation.  Click here for the full list, or find this list on the MC Transfer Web Page:
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE TRANSFER DESTINATIONS 2004
  

The Surprising #1 College Major 

Does it surprise you?

The Insider's Guide to Smith

Despite the fact that admissions requirements for students new to college after Spring 2005 are changing, following the rules to getting into the Robert H. Smith School of Business, College Park remains a challenge for community college students.  To that end, here are two publications that might help:  a UMCP/MC Admissions Outline and The Insider's Guide to Smith.

Two highlights from the guides:  

  1. Did you know that students who plan to attend Smith may test out of the Computer Applications (CA 120) course requirement?
  2. Did you know that all students new to college after Spring 2005 will be judged not only on their academic record but on their involvement in student activities, employment, and volunteer work?  This is a huge change, and one which must be made clear to all incoming freshman after this Spring 2005 semester!

For a printable copy of this issue, click here.

The Transfer Times is a monthly publication of Montgomery College
Edited by Transfer Counselor anne.schleicher@montgomerycollege.edu 

Check out the MC Transfer Information Page at www.montgomerycollege.edu/transfer  

Transfer Scholarship Web Page: www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studev/schol.htm  

Back Issues of the Transfer Times

ads 2/15/05