Planning for Successful Transfer

Start here. Finish here. Go anywhere.

Plan to meet with an Advisor

Meet with an advisor early on to develop your educational plan with transfer in mind.

As part of the transfer advising process, you will:
  • Determine if you could earn credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and shorten your time to graduation.
  • Plan your transfer from day one to degree completion.
  • Learn how to take advantage of transfer and articulation agreements.
  • Learn how the financial aid and transfer scholarship process works.
You should plan to meet with an advisor each semester. Waiting until your last semester to begin the transfer planning process will limit your options. To learn more, visit Academic Advisement.

Step by step transfer planning

Deciding where to go after earning your CCBC degree may seem daunting, but there are many resources to develop a transfer plan.

step 1 iconExplore (between 0-12 credits)

Once you decide on your career and major, it is time to explore your transfer options.

Important factors to consider

  • Programs of Study — is your program available? Is it competitive?
  • Location — what geographic region, state, and setting do you prefer?
  • Size — what size school is the best fit for you?
  • Additional considerations
    • Cost
    • Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
    • Availability of housing
    • Athletics
    • Campus life
    • Internship opportunities
    • Graduate programs

Actions to take

  • Attend transfer events including:
    • Transfer Fairs
    • On-campus Recruiter Visits
    • Transfer Workshops.
  • Explore transfer partnerships including: guaranteed admission, dual admission, honors program admission, and/or discounts on tuition, fees, or books.
  • Determine if CCBC has articulation agreements for your specific program.
  • Review the Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and Universities ARTSYS for recommended transfer programs (RTPs).
  • For out-of-state schools, do a web search to determine which schools have your major and do some outreach

step 2 iconPrepare (between 13-45 credits)

Preparation is the key to successfully transferring after earning your CCBC degree. Now it is time to narrow down your options.

Do not forget!

Keep up your grades and track your progress towards degree completion using DegreeWorks.

Things to do

  • Meet with recruiters when they come to CCBC’s campus.
  • Attend transfer open houses and tour the campus.
  • Research the transfer application process including deadlines for admission, financial aid, scholarships, and housing.
  • Investigate each school's financial aid process and begin the transfer scholarship search.
  • Complete the FAFSA for the following academic year by February 14.
  • Create a timeline and follow it.

step 3 iconApply (between 45-60+ credits)

Now that you have narrowed down your options, you are ready to apply.

Things to do

  • Apply to 3-5 schools submitting all required documents before the deadline.
  • Add the transfer school codes to your FASFA.
  • If required, submit the CSS Profile to qualify for state or institutional aid.
  • Apply for scholarships (apply in February for May/August graduates; October for December/January graduates).
  • Request official transcripts for every school where you earned college credits. Students who have earned college credits outside the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation through an international evaluation service.
  • If you were awarded college credit through prior learning for CLEP, DSST, AP, IB, or military experience, submit the appropriate documentation.

Decisions, decisions!

  • Review admission, financial aid, and scholarship offers and make your decision.
  • Accept admission, financial aid and scholarships, and submit any required deposits by the deadline.

Final semester reminders

  • See an advisor for pre-graduation audit to avoid any surprises.
  • Apply for graduation by the deadline and pay the fee.
  • Request final transcript after final grades and your degree have been posted.
  • Inquire about orientation, advising, and registration at your transfer institution.