Right time to transfer

<p>Hello, I am a student hoping to major in mechanical or electrical engineering and am in need of some advice regarding when the optimal time to transfer to university is. Basically I am hoping to get some basics out of the way during my stay at community college (I also work full time, I'm a returning student),I have 2 semesters (about 25 credits) under my belt at this point and my gpa is 3.9. My adviser recommends I get single and multivariable calculus finished before transferring ( although she admits she doesn't know much about engineering and of course I would love to transfer as soon as possible) so if it helps here is my future schedule.</p>

<p>Fall 2014
General chemistry
Trigonometry
gen eds</p>

<p>Spring 2015
Precalculus
Intro to programming
Intro to engineering
gen eds</p>

<p>Fall 2015
Calculus I
Programming II
gen eds</p>

<p>Spring 2016
Calculus II
Physics I
gen eds</p>

<p>Fall 2016
Calculus III
Physics II
Differential equations or statics</p>

<p>Spring 2016
Transfer or remain at CC and take statics, dynamics, strength of materials etc? </p>

<p>Im not sure when would be a strategic time to transfer or apply to transfer to university so I would sincerely appreciate some advice from other engineering students or engineers. Im new to all of this and I want to make sure I am making good decisions regarding my academic future so any help would be welcomed.</p>

<p>Which university do you want to transfer to? Does this 4-year school has a transfer agreement with your community college? I think the optimal time to transfer to university is you finish your associate degree at community college.</p>

<p>I am hoping to transfer to UT Austin as a first choice, UT Dallas being my second choice. Regarding transfer agreements, only UTD offers these with my current school. Of course I am hoping to keep a good gpa and get into UT Austin but I want to be realistic and have UTD as a second choice. </p>

<p>I would like to transfer as soon as I get my associates although by that time I will have only completed Calc I and I was strongly suggested to finish the Calc sequence prior to transferring. Do you think it would be better to finish the calculus sequence at the university instead of at cc?</p>

<p>If you have only complete Calc I, then you will basically be a second semester Freshman in an engineering program. In fact, it is likely that many engineering programs will only accept transfers with Calculus through multivariate and Differential Equations. </p>

<p>As for your last question, it is easier to transfer into a program in the Fall. I would therefore suggest that you stay at the community college through Spring 2016 and get some engineering courses done (if they transfer to your chosen university).</p>

<p>I wouldn’t suggest taking Gen Eds. At the CC level you should focus on completing your major course work. Talk to the advisor at the school of interest though. They would specifically know which routes you should take. </p>

<p>To hitchhike on Xraymancs’ point, I suggest that you consider completing Calc I and Calc II during summer school. Most colleges that operate a summer term provide those two specific courses year-round, including the summer.</p>

<p>Summer school is certainly an option but if you are not very strong in math then you are taking on the material at twice the rate as during a regular semester and that might not work out too well.</p>

<p>@ xraymancs thanks for the response, I think its better to stay at cc for as long as I can (although I hate to admit it) but UT Austin does not accept transfer credit for DE and UTD does so there is that. I didnt know that it is easier to transfer in the fall than in the spring, thanks for letting me know. </p>

<p>@ninjex, I wish I could but I have to get calculus I finished before I take any real engineering courses. But I will talk to some advisers this semester because they always put up info desks in the cafeteria. </p>

<p>Also I am not terrible at math, I got a 96 in college algebra over the summer and a 99 in developmental math but calculus is a different animal so I am apprehensive about taking it over the summer. I really want a solid foundation in math and science so I will try to avoid taking stem classes over the summer semester. But I realize the main thing holding me back is the fact that I am so behind in math.</p>

<p>Thanks again for all the responses everyone, I will definitely keep your advice in mind during the coming semesters.</p>

<p>Good point, xraymancs. The accelerated summer schedule is not for everyone when it comes to STEM classes. It depends upon the individual student and their study habits and motivation. But some students take advantage of relatively “laid back” atmosphere of summer school (as long as the course load is only 1 or 2 classes) and actually and excel in class.</p>