Before SpringFest last Saturday, I – along with fellow GMC and PTK alum Shayne Williams – had the opportunity to lead a panel on moving from a 2 year school to a 4 year university for the the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Regional Conference. Luckily for me, the conference was in Milledgeville, hosted by Georgia Military College, so I could make both events. You can view the slides here, or look over the outline below.
The Next Steps: Making the Transition to a Four-Year Institution
About Us
Daniel R. Simpson, MPA
- Academic Advisor at Georgia College
- MPA (‘10) and BA – Political Science (‘08) from Georgia College
- AA – General Studies (‘06) from Georgia Military College
- Alpha Omicron Epsilon Chapter VP (‘05-’06)
Shayne Williams
- Mass Communication/PR and Political Science student at Georgia College
- AA – General Studies (’12) from Georgia Military College
- Alpha Omicron Epsilon Chapter President
Top Ten Tips
Complete your Associate Degree
- Credit transfers more easily if the degree is awarded
- If no degree is awarded, the follow institution can pick and choose by class
- If everything does not transfer, you may fall behind
Find YOUR best fit
- The best college in the world is worthless if you do not like it there
- Find one that has the program you need
- Find one you can afford
- Find one where you will be happy
Plan Ahead
- If you know where you want to transfer, incorporate their requirements into your current degree plan
- If your follow on program has prerequisites, go ahead and take them if possible
Do not be shy
- Maintain an open dialogue with your transfer admissions representative
- Once you are admitted, contact your academic advisor to discuss course selection
- Visit campus and find your way around before the first day of classes
Choose a major
- By the time you transfer, you will mostly be in your major classes
- Because of this, you will need to have selected a major
File all the necessary paperwork
- Do not forget your final transcripts
- Make sure to have them sent AFTER the degree posts, not just final grades
Take Care of Financial Aid
- You will need to include the new institution information on your FAFSA
- Look into specialized scholarships for transfer and ΦΘΚ students
- Also check major based scholarships
Attend Orientation
- Will help you find your way around your new campus
- Will let you know what resources are available
- Will give you a chance to meet important contacts
Stay Focused
- Your classes will be tougher; meet the challenge
- Remember the basics of academic success
- Ask for help when you need it
Make Use of Your New Resources
- Your Academic Advisor
- Tutoring Center or Supplemental instruction
- Organizations especially for transfer students
For More Information
Daniel R. Simpson
- daniel.simpson@gcsu.edu
- wb4doj.org/danielrsimpson
- (478) 445-6294
Shayne Williams
- emily.williams2@bobcats.gcsu.edu
References
- Hyman, Jeremy S., and Lynn F. Jacobs. “10 Tips for Transferring From Community College.” U.S. News and World Report, 2009. http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/09/16/10-tips-for-transferring-from-community-college.