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Today is January 7, 2009
 
 

College Q&As



Q.


What is the definition of a transfer student?

A.


Generally, students who have completed 30 or more transferable semester college units are considered transfer students even though a person can transfer with less than 30 hours of credit.
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Q.


What are the Transfer Admission Requirements?

A.


Generally the requirements include completing an application, and submitting an application fee and transcripts from previously attended colleges. If you have completed less than 30 semester credit hours, you will also have to submit high school transcripts and college entrance exam test scores. There's usually a minimum grade required for credits to be accepted. Contact the campus you intend to transfer to in order to learn about their admissions and transfer policies.
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Q.


In addition to the application, what other documents will I need to provide?

A.


You will need an official transcript from the college(s) from which you intend to transfer credit. The campus to which you are applying will let you know when to submit transcripts. Transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes directly from the colleges you have attended. You will also have to include the application fee with your application. The college will notify you of any additional information needed.
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Q.


When do I submit my transcripts and what transcripts need to be submitted?

A.


Official transcripts should be submitted prior to enrollment to verify that all coursework is completed. Some campuses may either delay admission or not permit registration or attendance until final transcripts are received and admission eligibility can be verified. Transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes from each institution attended. In the case of freshman students, transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes directly from the high school from which you graduated. Keep personal copies of transcripts and test scores to complete the enrollment process and for academic advising sessions.
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Q.


When can I transfer?

A.


You may transfer into a community college anytime. Transferring from a community college or a four-year institution to a four-year college or university should be carefully planned. Most four-year institutions suggest you complete the two-year programs first, before transferring. Meet with your transfer advisor early in your college program to plan for an appropriate transfer.
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Q.


What courses should I take before I transfer?

A.


You may be wise to take courses to meet general education requirements because these classes transfer easily. You should also consult with an academic or admissions counselor to determine which lower-division major courses might be advisable to take prior to transferring. Generally, a pattern of courses that matches the above recommendations will keep you on track for a timely graduation.

The Transfer Guide can tell you what prerequisite classes are needed for specific courses. Check it out.

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Q.


How do I know which classes will transfer?

A.


Prior to registering for a class, confirm that the course is transferable to most, if not all, of the colleges or universities you are considering. Check with the college or university to which you are transferring to get an evaluation of your transcript. Utah's colleges and universities continually review which courses transfer. For more information, check out the Course Transfer Guide.
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Q.


What are general education classes and do they transfer?

A.


General education courses are courses that all students who intend to earn a bachelor's degree must complete. For most colleges and universities in Utah, these courses roughly comprise the first two years of college attendance. Taking general education courses is a good way to learn about various college-level disciplines and helps you select a major.

While you attend a community college, it is a good idea to concentrate on completing lower-division general education requirements. These courses are usually transferable and may meet admission requirements. Completion of an associate degree at a Utah public college/university will certify that you have completed all lower-division general education requirements. An associate of applied science degree will be reviewed for transferability on a course-by-course basis.

While completion of all general education requirements is not required for admission, it is to your educational advantage to complete as many of the lower-division general education requirements as possible prior to transfer. Some students in programs that require extensive lower-division prerequisites for the major may not be able to complete all lower-division general education requirements prior to transfer. If you transfer to a Utah four-year institution and have completed few general education units, completion of your baccalaureate program may take longer than expected. Good planning is essential!

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Q.


Can I transfer from a community college to a college or university before I earn my associates degree?

A.


Yes. You can transfer whether you finish the associate degree or not.
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Q.


What do I do if I am seeking a second bachelor's degree?

A.


Applicants for second bachelor's degrees should use the undergraduate application form and must meet minimum requirements for admission as a postbaccalaureate student. As a second bachelor's degree applicant, you will qualify for admission if you: (1) have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate campus authorities; (2) are in good academic standing at the last college or university attended; and (3) have earned a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. Some campuses or departments may limit enrollment of second bachelor's students due to heavy enrollment pressure.

General education requirements would be considered complete, but all major requirements will need to be fulfilled.

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Q.


How do I apply for admissions as a transfer student?

A.


First check each institution's requirement for transfer admissions. Complete an Application for Admission. Submit the application with the application fee and transcripts for college/university courses taken.
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Q.


Can I apply to more than one campus?

A.


UtahMentor makes applying to multiple schools easy. When you fill out admissions forms online, you will find that most of the information you provided on your MyMentor profile will appear on the forms. You are encouraged to file an admission application to each campus you are considering. Remember each application filed requires an application fee.
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Q.


How can I improve my chances for admission?

A.


Work hard, earn good grades, and take the right classes to improve your chances for admission. Taking the appropriate general education courses is critical and for some majors it is also important to complete lower-division major requirements to be admitted and to keep on track for timely graduation. Meeting minimum admission requirements qualifies you for admission, but high-demand majors and competitive-admission campuses may require higher standards. It is best not to depend on meeting the minimum standards.
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Q.


Will all the credits from my out-of-state school be accepted by my new Utah School?

A.


Not necessarily. Almost all of the Utah higher education institutions accept college-level credit earned at regionally accredited institutions. However some institutions may not accept all credit from other sources such as foreign schools or the military. Your transcript must be evaluated by your Utah school to determine whether or not the credits taken will be accepted. Note: Acceptance of transfer credit does not automatically mean the credits will count toward degree or major requirements at the Utah institution. Check with the admissions office at the Utah school you want to attend. Ask for a transcript evaluation.
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Q.


How do I submit a transcript from a foreign college or university?

A.


Most Utah schools require submission of an official transcript from all foreign colleges or universities attended along with an official English translation of all documents. Utah's community colleges do not require transcripts to be submitted for the purpose of admissions.
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Q.


When do I apply?

A.


Application deadlines are different for each institution. Check with the school you plan to attend to be certain of the application deadline. For specific filing dates check out the Campus Tours section of the College Campus Tools module.
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Q.


What if I miss the initial filing period?

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Most campuses accept applications after the initial filing period. However, some majors may be filled. You should talk to a college or university admissions counselor to get specific information.
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Q.


Can I use my computer to apply?

A.


You can file the online application right from this site. You can even pay your application fee online using a secure connection.

This is the preferred way to apply because it is more timely and effective

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Q.


Where do I send my application?

A.


If you are completing your application online through UtahMentor, your completed admission application will be routed automatically to the campus of your choice. Paper applications must be sent to the admissions office at the campus to which you are applying.
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Q.


How much does it cost to apply?

A.


Each campus admission application you file requires an application fee. This fee is nonrefundable and may be different at each institution. Look for the specific application fee for each school in Campus Tours in the College Campus Tools module.
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Q.


When will the campus contact me after I've filed my application?

A.


Application response time varies from campus to campus. The campus should notify you within a few weeks that your application has been received and is being processed. If the campus was unable to process your application, you will be notified as soon as possible.
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Q.


When will I know if I am admitted?

A.


Each campus has its own timeline for notifying students of admission. Some campuses begin notifying applicants of an admission decision soon after the receipt of an application. Other campuses hold their decisions and notify all students at the same time. It is not uncommon for there to be a several-month period before admission decisions are mailed to applicants.
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Q.


Do I have to notify a college/university that I will be attending?

A.


Check your admission letter. This letter will tell you whether your school requires a letter of intent, with or without a fee, and will identify deadlines for responding. Be courteous: if you have been admitted to several colleges, send a letter notifying those schools you will not attend.
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Q.


What do I do about selecting a major at my new school?

A.


Faculty and departmental advisors can provide you with a wealth of information on different majors. You can also speak with a campus academic advisor about your options. Campus tests are available to assist students with this process as well. If you have a good idea of a major that interests you, use the Undergraduate Matching Assistant to determine which campuses offer that course of study. Most campuses allow you to apply as an undeclared major if you are not sure about the career path you want to pursue. Campus tests are available to assist students with this process as well.
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Q.


How is my residency classification determined?

A.


Under Utah law, each campus must determine the residence status of all new and returning students. Generally, to be eligible for Utah resident classification, an adult applicant must have established and maintained permanent residence in Utah for at least two years prior to the residence determination date or have completed 60 semester hours as a nonresident student.

Generally, transfer students who have been granted Utah in-state residency by the former public institution will be considered a resident at another Utah public institution. Students can appeal their residency status through the admission office.

Utah nonresidents are required to pay nonresident tuition and meet other conditions. Private institutions do not charge tuition based on residency.

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Q.


How do I get more information from a college or university?

A.


You can use this site to link to the campus website to obtain more information. You can also use MentorMail™ or your own e-mail account to contact the campuses in which you are interested for more information. Student services offices like admissions, advising, and financial aid should list contact information in their Campus Tour pages. Campuses also appreciate letters asking for more information. Best of all, if you can, be sure to visit the campuses in which you are interested for a campus tour.
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Q.


How can I find out about financial aid?

A.


For general information visit Financial Aid Overview, or if you have additional questions visit the Financial Aid section of the College Q&As. You can also ask your financial aid office about financial aid opportunities.
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