Parents & Family
Choosing a Transfer Institution
Many community college students plan to transfer to another college or university to complete a specialized program or a higher degree, such as a bachelor degree. Overall, JCC students succeed at their next institution with a higher GPA than students who started at that college (‘native’ students). Here are some frequently asked questions and a checklist to guide you and your student in making this important choice.
How can we be sure that credits will transfer to other colleges?
When students earn at least a 2.0 in courses, those credits can transfer in several ways to other colleges and universities. To better understand transfer, look at what goes into a degree. Degrees generally have four parts: general education, major, minor, and electives. JCC credit could count in any of these areas, as long as the grade is at least a 2.0, which is a “C”.
At most colleges, a Bachelor’s Degree consist of about 124 credits, generally divided like this:
- 40 credits General Education (such as the MACRAO)
- 40 credits Major or program requirements
- 24 credits Minor, cognate or related requirements
- 20 credits Electives
Colleges look for ‘equivalencies’ when transferring in credit. They look for a course they have which is like the course we have, by content as much as by title. Michigan universities provide a lot of this information on their web pages. We have links to these sites from our Transfer page, at www.jccmi.edu/transfer then click on Course Equivalencies.
Students have two issues in transferring credit. The first is in having the minimum grade, usually a 2.0, or a ‘C’. The second is if the credit counts toward specific degree requirements. For example, if a student works on a nursing degree at JCC then decides to transfer to Golf Course Management at MSU, then not that many credits from the nursing courses would probably count for golf course management. MSU would likely take whatever applies to general education and apply what is left to elective credit. A degree in golf might not allow for many electives.
Generally, JCC general education courses transfer with no problem. How specific occupational courses transfer depends upon the 4-year institution. Work closely with an advisor and use our web page resources to be sure of the selections. Also, contact the next college before you transfer, at least by the time you are in your second year at JCC.
What does the term ‘Second Admissions’ mean?
Some Majors require a second admissions process, meaning that your student could be accepted to the university but must complete specific requirements to start taking courses in the major. Because each college and university in Michigan is relatively independent, the requirements can vary more than other states where the education system is more centralized. Read our guidesheets carefully and research your student’s anticipated degree at the transfer institution. Our advisors will be happy to help you with this research. Tip: Print out your research so you have a record. If you call the transfer institution, be sure to write down the name, title and phone number of the person you talk with.
Do universities require a certain number of credits or semesters?
Yes, and of course, requirements vary. Many colleges and universities require that at least 60 credit hours are completed at their institution. This means that JCC students who are able to transfer perhaps 70 credit hours still have to complete 60 at the transfer institution. Additionally, some institutions also require a minimum number of semesters, not just credits. Watch for this, or you may end up paying for an extra semester of room and board that you did not anticipate. If your student is looking at an institution that requires 5 semesters, consider supporting your student in attending during the summer between the junior and senior year. This would allow them to fulfill the semester requirement and still graduate in May or June.
How can we keep this transfer business straight?
Advisors are here to help you with the research. During your student’s first semester at JCC, some time should be spent in researching transfer options, attending College Night hosted at JCC, contacting four-year institutions, and working with a JCC advisor or faculty member. Go with your student to visit the other campuses. By the second cost-saving year at JCC, your student should be taking courses specifically geared toward the transfer institution of choice.
If your student wants to stay close to home, JCC has agreements with local four-year institutions such as Spring Arbor University and Siena Heights University. Many colleges and universities are within driving distance and still more have online courses available.
How do we go about choosing a transfer institution?
Much of the decision about a transfer institution hinges on these questions:
- Does the college/university offer a quality program that will best help my student begin the career he/she wants?
- Is the cost affordable for our student and our family?
- Does my student feel like the environment is a good fit?
During the first year at JCC, plan some road trips with your student. Admissions offices at the transfer institutions can arrange tours and frequently have admissions events for families to attend. Students seem able to quickly size up a campus and determine if they feel like they belong there. While you might be helping to pay for college, you are not the one attending. Your student should take the lead in the college search process.
What should we do when touring a transfer institution?
Colleges have set activities for families and students. As you choose a transfer college, take advantage of what is offered but also do a little research of your own.
Institutional Offerings
- Participate in the campus tour.
- Meet faculty and students in your student’s program.
- Sit in on a class, with permission of the Admissions representative or faculty.
- Talk with admissions representatives (see the list of suggested questions in the next section).
- Stay overnight in one of the dorms or residency halls.
- Participate in parent, family or student orientations.
On-Your-Own
- Browse the student lounges, unions and cafeterias.
- Read student publications, in print and online.
- Look over the college catalog and class schedule.
- Go to residency halls and classrooms that are not on the tour.
- Check out the neighborhoods next to campus.
- Eat a meal in the cafeteria.
- Go to the Library to look up a book or use the computers.
- Ask students about their favorite things and their least favorite thinks about the college.
- Ask your student for opinions and decisions. Ultimately, your student is the one attending and is the one who needs to make the choice as well as the commitment.
What to ask when touring a transfer institution?
Here is a list that you can use when choosing transfer institutions. Remember, getting into the college of your choice is the lesser of two processes. Graduating is the goal. Your ultimate question is how will this college help my student become a creative, responsible professional who can analyze, read, communicate, and act ethically. These skills are acquired not just in classes but in the course of the entire college experience.
The following list serves only as a starting point for your own questions based upon your unique circumstances and interests. Your student should do most of the asking. While you are supportive, it is ultimately the student who needs to decide where to transfer and how to succeed. Discuss with your student what matters most. Encourage your student to set goals.
Admissions and Costs
- What does your college pride itself in most?
- Describe your mission.
- Why should my student go here?
- What programs are you noted for?
- How many students attend each campus?
- How many graduates do you have each year and in what programs?
- What are your admissions requirements? What is the process and the timeline?
- What percent of transfer applicants are accepted?
- What are the admissions requirements for my student’s program?
- What classes from JCC will transfer and count toward graduation requirements?
- What is your tuition cost and what are the fees? Do courses have additional fees?
- What are the cost for books and supplies?
- Will students need their own computers? Internet access?
Financial Aid
- What scholarships and grants do you offer, including funds for transfer students?
- What are your application deadlines?
- Do you use one application or separate applications for your scholarships?
- How many of your students get some financial aid? On average, what percent of the cost of attendance is covered by financial aid? (Cost of Attendance includes tuition plus such things as fees, books, supplies, and housing.) What percent are loans?
- What payment plans are available?
- What are the maximum amounts available for aid? If parent loans are available, when do payments have to begin?
- How do withdrawals and incompletes effect financial aid?
- What are the conditions for financial aid? What are the minimum grades? Are students put on probation before being suspended from financial aid?
Housing and Living Away
- What are your residency requirements for living on campus?
- How many students live on campus? Off campus? Commute?
- What campus housing is available for transfer students? What near-campus housing is available?
- How much is housing? What are the lengths and terms of the housing contract?
- Does housing include free parking? Laundry facilities?
- What are the housing units like? Do they include kitchens, Internet access, phones, TV, and storage?
- How much are food plans? How many meals are included?
- What immunizations will my student need?
- Is housing co-ed by suites, floors or building?
- What are the policies for smoking and for parties?
- How will my student get medical treatment in an emergency?
Student Employment
- What on-campus jobs are available?
- What is the wage structure?
- Are students assisted with portfolios, résumés and job searches?
- Will the college help arrange summer jobs or internships?
Program and graduation information
- What are your degree requirements for my student’s program?
- What is the minimum number of credits to be earned at your college?
- How many semesters will my student need to attend?
- Is there a capstone project or class required in my student’s program or by the college? Is this offered only during certain semesters?
- Will my student’s academic program be set up, semester by semester, so we know just what needs to be taken?
- How will we know what the pre-requisites for classes are?
- Can classes be taken at JCC in the summer to meet transfer back? How do we get the guest application and who signs it to assure that the credit will transfer?
- What is the minimum GPA required for graduation for my student’s program?
- Do you have study-abroad opportunities? Are these required for my student’s program?
- What general education will be required, and how much can be completed at JCC?
- Do you have service learning or community service requirements?
Instruction and Courses
- Are classes mostly taught by college faculty or by assistants?
- How large are your classes?
- Can we sit in on a class or meet some of the faculty?
- What teaching methodologies are used? Will most classes be lectures? What classes involve hands-on learning?
- How will I know if my student is having trouble in class or at college?
- How much access do students have to faculty outside of class?
- What honors programs or classes are available?
- What are the grading policies? Do instructors grade based on mastery of the subject or is it competitive in the classroom with grading done on a curve?
- What is the honor code? What are the consequences for violations?
Career Advising and Placement
- How can you help my student decide on a career?
- What is your career placement rate for students in this program?
- Is help available for job searches, résumé preparation and interviewing?
- Are students helped with putting together portfolios?
- Do you offer job shadowing, internships or co-ops?
- How do you connect students with potential employers?
- How long can students use your career placement services?
- Are students connected to alumni mentors to help them get started in a career?
Campus Resources
- Where can my student get help with classes?
- Who will be my student’s advisor?
- What are the free resources and what will we be charged for, such as Internet access or printing costs?
- What services are available for students with special needs, such as attention deficit, dyslexia or physical impairments?
- What resources are in your Library?
- What computer access and supports are available?
- What construction projects are going on?
Life on Campus
- Who will help my student adjust to life away from home?
- How many students stay on campus over the weekends?
- Where do students gather to socialized? To study?
- Do you have social workers or counselors?
- What campus transportation is available?
- Can transfer students have cars on campus? What are the fees for parking?
- What housing is available?
- What security measures does you college take to protect students, including evenings and weekends?
- What clubs, organizations and sports do you have for students?
- Are intramural sports available?
- What is the fitness facility like for students? Is this an added cost?
