Make every credit count toward your degree
Will your classes transfer? And will they count toward your degree? To avoid excess credits that will cost you time and money, answer the following five questions:
1. Have you seen your advisor yet?
See your advisor at your community college as soon as possible and let them know your goals.
2. What do you generally want to study?
Are you interested in a STEM-related field (science, technology, engineering, math)?
Depending on your interests, you may need more science and math. Degrees that include health sciences, natural resources, engineering and sciences all require more math and science. It is important to start taking these classes early on at the community college and to be sure you are taking the right classes that will count toward your future major.
3. What types of classes are transferable?
There are two general types of college courses, lower division transfer vs. career technical classes. Only 12 credits of career technical classes will transfer from your community college to the public university. If you aren’t sure what types of classes you are taking, ask your community college advisor.
4. What type of degree do you want to get at the community college?
Do you need an AAOT vs. Associate of Science vs. specific transfer credits?
The AAOT (Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer) degree transfers to all seven public universities in Oregon and ensures that your general education requirements are met. This can be a good option if you know you want to transfer but you’re not sure which university you want to attend or what degree you want to get yet.
However, if you are interested in a degree that has more math and science, the AAOT isn’t necessarily the best option for you and you would want to consider a different type of degree such as an Associate of Science in the specific degree.
It is best to discuss these options with your advisor, and you can ask them to connect you with an advisor at the university where you plan to transfer so that you can make sure you're on the right path.
You may also just want to get some prerequisite classes before transferring. You are not required to get an associate degree before transferring — at OSU, once you complete 24 credits, you can apply and be considered a transfer student.
5. Will my class transfer directly?
This may seem simple, but it can be complicated. Please consult with your advisor early in the term to create an education plan and make sure it's transferable.
You may want to consider applying as a degree partnership student while you are at community college, see more information below.
In high school, if you took AP classes or dual credit, you will need to submit those transcripts to your college and university for that credit to count toward your degree.
Save your syllabi!
It is incredibly important to save all of your syllabi for the college classes you take. This will make sure as many of your classes transfer as possible. If a class doesn’t directly transfer from one institution to another, advisors and the registrar’s office at the 4-year university will use your previous syllabi to determine if a class can transfer or fulfill a degree requirement. Save your syllabi!
Consider dual enrollment
All of the Oregon public universities allow students to be a student at both the university and community college. There are many benefits to dual enrollment. You can take classes at both institutions and combine your credits from both institutions for the financial aid.
At Oregon State University, this is called the Degree Partnership Program (DPP). As a DPP student you have access to the libraries and many OSU student services and resources even if you haven’t started taking classes at OSU yet.
Each Oregon public university has a different program that allows you to dual enroll, and it is a great option to check out to take advantage of community college offerings while also being enrolled at a four-year institution.
When to apply as a transfer student
Each Oregon public university allows students to apply as transfer students with a different amount of credits. Something they all have in common is that students need to have a 2.25 GPA to transfer. There are some exceptions to this, and certain schools will look at a student’s application holistically. Generally, however, students need a 2.25 GPA to transfer to an Oregon public university.
| Oregon Public University | GPA | Credits needed to apply as a transfer | Math 105 or Math 111 | Writing 121 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSU | 2.25 | 24 | X | X |
| U of O | 2.25 | 35 | X | X |
| Eastern | 2.25 | 30 | ||
| Western | 2.25 | 36 | X | X |
| Southern | 2.25 | 36 | ||
| Portland State | 2.25 | 30 | X | |
| OIT | 2.25 | 36 | X | X |
Visit/research university campuses
Take advantage of college trips to visit different campuses and see what it’s like to be on campus. These tours are free and can be scheduled for a time that works for you. At OSU, for instance, you can contact the Welcome Center to schedule a free transfer specific tour of OSU.
