Editor’s Note: The admissions process described in this article is currently in progress. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved, the names of applicants, family members, school counselors, and educational institutions have been anonymized or changed. The experiences and events described are real, but identifying details have been altered.
By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
Many enrollment professionals are familiar with data showing that students lose credits when they transfer. However, in this interview, we learn from a student whose situation challenges that data. “My credits all transferred, making the time I spent at the Community College a valuable part of my academic journey,” explained an early/middle college student who is currently navigating the transfer process at a midwestern university. Had the student not reached out for help, their academic pathway would have been considerably different.
The institution they are applying to maintains more than one set of transfer admission requirements—one for external transfers and another for cross-campus transfers. If the student had applied directly from their Early College program, they would have been considered a first-year applicant because they earned their high school diploma in the same year they applied to college. That route would have significantly extended their path to earning their degree.
Instead, the student completed high school, continued earning college credits, and became eligible to apply as an external transfer—allowing them to enter as a junior much sooner than if they had started as a first-year student, which could have added at least one more year to their studies. Skipping that detour likely saved them at least a full year of additional coursework.
I asked the student about the one thing students and families should know before starting a college search or learning journey: “I would recommend reaching out to the college as soon as you know what you would like to study,” they shared. “The process can seem overwhelming on your own, but there are a lot of people who want to help. So, reach out, ask questions, and do not be nervous; they really do want you to succeed.”
Can you tell me a bit about your learning/college path—what motivates you, and what are your goals?
Transfer Student: My college career began during my junior year of high school, when I was accepted into the Early College program at the Community College. When I first started the program, I had not decided on a career path, but I did know that I wanted to attend the University. I am a very motivated student, and my grades have always been a top priority, so I focused on basic classes that would transfer and worked to maintain a high GPA.
During my second year at community college, I decided that I wanted to study architecture. Since then, my goal has been to get that acceptance letter and start my journey. I want to study under the best of the best, and I know that is what awaits me there at my chosen university.
When you began the transfer process, what was the biggest surprise—either something that went more smoothly than expected or something that didn’t transfer the way you hoped?
Transfer Student: Since I started my college career in the Early College program, I technically would not have received my high school diploma until my last year at community college. This would not work, as I knew I wanted to transfer into the architecture program right away. So, I decided to graduate early, withdraw from the Early College program, and become a traditional college student. This would improve my chances of admission into the program of my dreams.
It was quite challenging because I had to complete two senior Math classes in less than one month, sign up for high school graduation, and make sure that all my classes at community college would put me on the right path to transfer.
With the help of my high school principal and the college's admissions team, I was able to complete everything and make the shift. All of the classes I took at my community college transferred in beautifully to the university, and most of them were on the required list for the Architecture program.
How easy or difficult was it to understand which of your credits would actually count toward your new program or degree? Who helped you navigate that process and how?
Transfer Student: The college's admissions director helped me navigate the transfer process from beginning to end. They met with me via Zoom and then again in person for a tour and explained the entire process. They put together a transfer sheet that we both could update so that I could see what courses I still needed at my community college and how they would transfer to the university. They answered numerous emails—even on the weekends when I would ask questions or need clarification. They stood by my side since the start, and I am so grateful for their support.
If you could give one piece of advice to college administrators or policymakers about improving the college search or transfer systems, what would it be?
Transfer Student: Put yourself in the students’ shoes. Some students do not understand the basics, so be patient, offer clear and concise instruction, and sound advice. As I mentioned above, without the guidance I received from the architecture admissions team, I would have felt overwhelmed and lost.