Learner Support Services - Transfer Resources

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If I transfer to a university from NWACC, do I have to provide a high school transcript with a certain GPA and ACT scores?
How many college credits do I need to no longer be considered at freshman?
If I complete a transfer associate degree (AA or AS) but I still don't know what to major in when I transfer, is that a problem?
How can I know that the classes I take at NWACC will transfer?
Once I have earned my AA, AS transfer degree am I guaranteed to get into my major at a university?
How long will it take me to finish my bachelor’s degree after I transfer?
I have a lot of 'W's. Is that a problem?
I have bad grades at another college and want to start over. Do I have to report that I attended that school?
What happens if I don't report all the previous schools I attended?
Can I change my major after I transfer?
When do I apply to transfer?
I repeated a class. Why is my first class still on my transcript?
When is NWACC’s graduation application deadline?

· If I transfer to a university from NWACC, do I have to provide a high school transcript with GPA and ACT scores?

If you are a transfer bound student with 24 or more college credits, you are no longer considered a freshman transfer so your admission to a state university is not based on high school GPA or your ACT scores any longer. Admission will be determined by whether you have 24 college level credits and if your GPA is a 2.00 or higher. The number of credits you have earned and college GPA requirement may be higher if you are going to a private university or an institution in another state.

Also, you may be required to have a higher GPA for admission to certain programs within the universities once you are admitted. Plan ahead and use your advisors help to find out the specific requirements for where you intend to transfer. University web sites will provide you with about all the information you need and seek help if you have trouble finding what you need to know.

· If I complete a transfer associate degree (AA or AS) but I still don’t know what to major in when I transfer, is that a problem?

Four year institutions would like you 'decided' when you arrive. Take advantage of NWACC's career and major planning services by attending events and workshops as well as making appointments to visit with people in these offices. We’ve seen that students who make that major decision before leaving NWACC have much greater success in earning their bachelor’s degrees. Choosing a major early on will help you stay on track to meet your goals.

· How can I know that the classes I take at SLCC will transfer?
On the NWACC web site you will find how courses will transfer to most state schools by using the Arkansas course Transfer System and university equivalency guides. A few other out-of-state schools also provide equivalency guides. Since NWACC is regionally accredited most of our transfer courses are accepted throughout Arkansas and other states. But, how those courses count toward graduation requirements for a bachelor degree is a more important question which requires on-going planning with advisors at two and four year institutions. Be proactive by meeting with an NWACC advisor and advisors at 4-year schools, explore majors if you are undecided through Career Development Center, attend transfer activities at NWACC and other institutions, use articulation agreements, majors sheets, catalogs and institution web sites for planning.

· Once I have earned my AA, AS transfer degree am I guaranteed to get into my major at a university?
Admission into a major program at a transfer institution depends upon the receiving institution's requirements for that major. Some major programs are restricted and require special application as well as a competitive GPA. See an Academic Advisor at both NWACC and the intended receiving institution for specific information and check their web site.

· How long will it take me to finish my bachelor’s degree after I transfer?
It depends on how many credit hours you complete at NWACC. Ideally, you can finish your associate’s degree at NWACC and then finish your junior and senior courses in your major at the receiving institution. If you are able to go full-time and take at least five courses each semester or four courses a semester with a few summer courses you should be able to complete the required course in two more years. Of course, if you do not earn your associate’s degree, you will need to take more courses at the university and it will take more time and money to complete your bachelor’s degree. Arkansas universities require 120 credit hours for most of their bachelor’s degrees. A few majors will require more hours to completion, such as Architecture and Engineering. A few majors will require full time attendance and others can be completed on a part time basis.

· I have a lot of 'W's. Is that a problem?
Some selective majors and graduate programs review the number of 'W's. An on-going pattern of 'W's semester after semester could be viewed as a potential problem without an appropriate explanation.

· I have bad grades at another college and want to start over. Do I have to report that I attended that school?
Yes, you must report all institutions previously attended and provide an official transcript.

· What happens if I don't report all the previous schools I attended?
It could be construed as academic fraud and admissions or a degree could be rescinded.

· Can I change my major after I transfer?
Yes, but the courses taken for one major may not apply toward graduation requirements in another major and thereby increase the amount of time to graduate. Consult an advisor.

· When do I apply to transfer?
Begin the transfer process about 6-9 months prior to the semester you want to attend your transfer institution. This will give time for admissions acceptance, orientation, registration, and any other department requirements to be met in a timely manner.

· I repeated a class. Why is my first class still on my transcript and why hasn't my GPA changed?
The original grade remains on the record and the lower graded course is marked as a repeated course. The highest grade received will be used to calculate the cumulative grade point average. Some 4-year majors have a specific limit on how many times a course can be repeated. Some colleges/universities use the second repeated course grade even if the first grade was higher when considering transfer of courses and GPA.

· When is NWACC’s Graduation Application deadline?
It is helpful to apply by the posted dates on the Graduation Application Form located on the Student Records web page as it helps the Records Office make sure you will have completed all requirements. The Records Office will accept late applications but you should talk to them to see if there is still time to complete their process before commencement ceremony if you are interested in participating. Be aware you will not have your name in the program if you are late turning in your graduation application in the spring. Students graduate from NWACC every semester but the graduation commencement ceremony is once a year in May. Diplomas are mailed to students a few weeks after final grades are posted.

All information published online by NWACC Transfer Resources is subject to change without notice. NWACC Transfer Resources is not responsible for errors of any kind resulting from access to this resource or use of the information contained therein. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented as factual; however errors may exist. Always countercheck facts when considering their use in other applications.

Questions or comments about the web site? Please contact Transfer Resources

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Learner Support Services - Transfer Resources

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions