Transfer woes!!

MelG06 · August 2010

So... I started college at a local community college to try and safe my folk's some money, and now I'm ready to transfer to my 4 year school. I planned all of my classes at the CC carefully to be sure that they transfer... and come to find out, an entire semester's worth wont transfer.

I was planning on getting married after graduation (may 2012). Now it looks like I have only three options... push back the wedding even further, cram my semesters full with 18 credit hours plus take summer classes, or get married before I graduate.

Anybody have useful advice?

bethsmiles · August 2010

I transfered schools in the spring, after taking a semester off in the fall. I took classes this summer and now I'm on schedule to graduate on time again. How many credits exactly are you behind? because I was only behind 6 credits so it was easy for me to catch up over the summer. Personally I would just try to finish school on time because taking longer will cost you more money.

MelG06 · August 2010

I'm 18 credits behind! Some of them are core classes, so it's not like they're all easy A classes... I'm not too worried about the cost since I'm on scholarship for another 4 years, but I'm just ready to get on with my life!

bethsmiles · August 2010

Got it. hmm...I think you should talk to your BF and see what he thinks. If you guys can handle it the best route might be to get married before you graduate.

stephdonjon · August 2010

Wow, that really sucks. As much as community college is awesome for saving $$, I have to admit, I'm relieved I was able to do all 4 years at the same school and avoid the transfer mess. Some schools make it really easy, but I know others can be a nightmare. Right now I've been helping my brother prepare for college (at a community college) and I get so confused by their course catalogs as to how transferring works and the associate requirements, so sadly I'm not going to be much help since I don't have a firm grasp of the process.

But I'll do what I can:
First off, are you set on/already accepted/attening one school? If not, I would call around other schools and contact their academic advisors and see if a different school accepts more of your credits.
If you're already committed to a school, I'd still make an appointment with an advisor. You'd be amazed at the type of magic they can work. I switched majors halfway through my junior year, and since I was 2 classes away from having my original degree, and since my new major was within the same department, my advisor did an ovverride so that some of my old classes would count toward my new degree, to make sure I graduate on time. Even if they can't do something like that for you, they will be able to advise you on the best possible route for getting done as soon as possible.

I'm was the ambitious type who was always taking 18 credit hours, so if you think you could handle that and a few summe courses to get it all done on time, then go for it. But I realize that's not for everyone.

My other thought: Just take an extra semester. I'd push the wedding back in this case, because if you tried to squeeze it in, not only would be overwhelmed with school and planning, but you want time to enjoy yourself, and not be thinking as you're walking down the aisle, "Crap, I've got class in 3 days and still haven't ordered my books!"

Talk to your BF, see what he's thinking. Maybe his own plans will affect how you decide. And like I said, talk to counselors. They'd be best with this sort of thing.
Hope this helps somewhat!

MelG06 · August 2010

Thanks, steph! you did really help. I guess I never really thought about seeing what my advisor could do, I just accepted it as defeat and went on with things. I'll talk to her about it when school starts!

As for my BF, he just kind of says "do what you have to do". He's not going to college, so he doesn't really understand the burden. However, I think if he had to tell me a straight answer, it would be to push the wedding back untill I'm done...but I'm sick of waiting... I'm really ready to live our married life together.

stephdonjon · August 2010

I understand how hard it is wait. I'm now less than a year away and every day it's like, "Oh my God, next August, get here already!"

But if it really comes down to having to push it back and you know it'll be better for you, then what's an extra semester or two of waiting, right? It's not like you two won't still be together.

Definitely chat with your advisor and see what they think. They may not be an expert on the married part of the debate, but if you just tell them you want to be done by May 2012 if possible, then they'll do what they can to help you out.

charleexo · August 2010

I transferred universities after my second year of a four-year degree so I was really lucky when most of my two years worth of credits transferred.( I wasn't on a scholarship like you so it was especially important because of $$). A few of my credits didn't directly transfer so I talked first to the Registrar's Office and then my academic advisor to get the rest directly transferred. What I did was present a full course outline (syllabus) and the assignments and wrote a letter about why my credits should transfer, and how they covered the same content. I also expressed concern about paying twice to take "essentially the same course". My school was very helpful about getting everything transferred and I only ended up doing one extra semester in the summer!

I hope if you try that it'll work out! Good luck!

If you want to get married before you graduate, perhaps wait to make the decision after you've started at the new school to see what your work load will be like, and if planning a wedding while in school is doable. Otherwise waiting until you graduate might be best.

all the best with everything!

Transfer woes!!

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