Saturday, November 07, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

1.	When should I start to plan for transfer to a four-year college?
	You should start your planning your first semester at CSN. By planning early, you can explore options and develop an educational plan that will best meet your transfer goals.
2.	How do I know which courses transfer?
	It is best to talk to a counselor or academic advisor about transferring courses to a specific College/University, as well as major requirements. You can call the Counseling Department to make an appointment (they might be seeing students just on a walk in basis at the time but call to find out). The numbers for the Counseling Departments on the three main campuses are: W. Charleston 651-5670 Cheyenne 651-4049 Henderson 651-3165
3.	What happens to my GPA once I transfer?
	When you transfer to other institutions, your credits transfer (if transferable) but your grades may not. For example, if you transfer to CSN from another school, your GPA begins anew, even though you may have credits transferred in from another school. Some colleges also calculate a combined GPA.
4.	How can I get my transcripts sent to another school?
	Official transcripts of your academic record at CSN will be issued and sent from the Office of the Registrar, upon your written request, to other educational institutions. Go to our website, click on Admissions, then Forms & Information, then Transcript Information to find out how to obtain transcripts.
5.	How many credits do I need to transfer?
	Students are advised to complete 60 semester credits that will transfer in order to be eligible for full junior status at the transfer school. Earning an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Business degree from CSN will normally accomplish this. It is strictly up to the institution you are transferring to as to whether or not you will be considered a junior and what credits they will accept. Students should consult the catalog for the specific private/out-of-state college in which they are interested for transfer requirements.
6.	Is there a maximum number of credits I can transfer?
	As a general rule, the maximum number of credits accepted for transfer is 60semester credits but it does depend on the school you are transferring to.
7.	What if I take more than 60 credits?
	Most colleges and universities will accept 60 semester credits towards the total number of units needed to complete a bachelor's degree; however, for students who have taken more than 60 credits, the content of the extra courses may be used to satisfy needed requirements. It will also depend on whether or not a Transfer Agreement has been completed and/or if the number of credits required for the bachelor’s degree is more than 120 credits. Normally four year institutions will accept up to ½ of the total credits required for the degree to come from a two year college. There are exceptions to this. It is recommended that you see a CSN counselor or academic advisor about the specific requirements for the college you are interested in or visit their website.
8.	What is the minimum acceptable GPA for transfer?
	The minimum GPA needed to transfer varies depending on the institution you want to transfer to as well as the program you are interested in. It is advisable to check the institution’s website or check with a CSN counselor or academic advisor.
9.	What is a competitive GPA for transfer?
	To be accepted to a high demand campus, the GPA for admission should be considerably higher than the minimum requirements. A GPA of 3.0 and higher may be required for students to be competitive for transfer admission, with the most competitive institutions expecting much higher grade point averages. The desired GPA will vary each year according to the specific applicant pool at that time. A CSN counselor or academic advisor can provide advice regarding competitive grade point average requirements for specific campuses/majors.
10.	What is GE?
	GE (or General Education) is a program of courses in the arts and sciences that provides a broad educational experience. Courses are usually introductory in nature and provide students with fundamental skills and knowledge in English, arts, mathematics, social sciences, physical and biological sciences.
11.	What is the difference between an associate degree and a bachelor's degree?
	An associate degree is a two-year degree granted by a community college to students who complete a specified program of study, usually totaling a minimum of 60 semester credits. A bachelor’s degree (or baccalaureate) is a four-year degree granted upon completion of at least 120 semester units or 180 quarter units.What is the difference between lower division and upper division courses?
12.	What is the difference between lower division and upper division courses?
	Lower division courses are offered for freshman and sophomore level credit. All courses offered at a community college are lower division courses. Upper division courses are offered for junior and senior level credit. These courses are not offered by community colleges.
13.	What is articulation?
	Articulation is the process of evaluating courses to determine whether coursework completed at one college will meet the requirements for admission, transfer credit, general education, or major preparation at another college.
14.	What is a major?
	A major is a program of study which leads to a degree. It is the primary area of study in which the greatest depth of knowledge will be developed. Although there are a dozen or so popular majors, there are literally hundreds of other, lesser known, majors. By reading university catalogs, students can familiarize themselves with the array of majors offered at each campus and the scope or philosophy of that particular program. For example, a psychology major at one campus might offer concentrations in clinical or psychobiology, but a different campus might offer concentrations in industrial psychology, human development and abnormal psychology. Students should ascertain that the campus they select offers a philosophy or concentration that appeals to them.
15.	What is a minor?
	A minor is a secondary field of study, not as comprehensive as the major. Most majors usually require between 18to 24 semester credits.
16.	Do I need to declare a major before I transfer?
	Most, but not all, colleges require students to declare a major prior to transfer; however, most universities prefer that students declare major prior to transfer. Many universities make admissions determinations based upon the number of lower division major preparatory classes a student has completed. Completing major preparation prior to transfer typically will mean that students are less likely to take additional time to graduate after transfer. Speeding the time to graduate also saves students money. Students should always check with a CSN counselor or academic advisor for assistance in determining which lower division preparation is necessary for submitting a competitive application.
17.	How do I find out about transfer requirements for my school?
	There are many resources available in the Counseling Department and Transfer Centers to assist students. Students are encouraged to visit the college(s) to which they are interested in transferring as well as researching the transfer requirements in the specific college catalog. If a representative from the college visits CSN, students should make an appointment to meet with him/her.
18.	What is the difference between a quarter and a semester?
	Each college/university has an academic year with terms marking the beginning and end of classes. A quarter is one type of term within an academic year. Each quarter is 10 weeks in length, and there are usually three quarters (fall, winter and spring) per academic year. A semester is the other type of term within an academic year. Each semester is 15 weeks in length, and there are two semesters (fall and spring) in an academic year. In addition some colleges offer a fourth term during the summer. Most other colleges offer summer classes; however, summer is not considered an official term of the academic year.