Should I complete my associates at CC or transfer as soon as possible?

Transfer Students
1

<p>This fall will mark the beginning of my third year at community college. While I have been a full time student for the majority of my attendance, I am still quite a ways from completing my degree. I never intended to stay at this school for the length of time that I have, and my course selection has strayed from the path necessary to obtain a degree. </p>

<p>Ultimately I plan on transferring to a four year college to study environmental science, whether that be in January or next year. But right now I'm faced with a myriad of decisions that must be made both intelligently and quickly.</p>

<p>The question underlying all of this is whether or not I should seek to complete my associates degree prior to transferring. I have a 2.8 GPA, 50 some odd credit hours, and several significant blemishes on my transcript. </p>

<p>I'm currently trying to decide which CC I will attend this semester. I have been paying out of state tuition for the past 2 years to attend a school that is 15 minutes from home (I live on the Maine-NH border). The nearest in state CC is a much larger school with better course selection, but its an hour drive each way. </p>

<p>In hindsight, I wish I would have attended the in state school right from the start; I would have saved close to 10k. </p>

<p>If I decide to pursue an associates degree, I'm looking at another full year of school at either college. I'm far from thrilled of the thought of an entire year at CC, which will consist of mostly filler classes. But if obtaining the two year degree is recommended, transferring to the other college would make the most sense financially. </p>

<p>My parents think I ought to finish the degree so that I at least have something to show for all my work thus far at school. </p>

<p>If not, I'll likely take a few classes at the local school this semester in attempt to boost my GPA as much as possible and attempt a transfer in January. </p>

<p>How important is having the degree? Classes begin at the other school on August 26th, so I don't have much time. And seats are filling up at both schools of course. </p>

2

<p>Just a note: I graduated high school in 2012; 20 years old.</p>

3

<p>bump</p>

4

<p>Whatever you do, if you want to get in a better college, you have to pull up your gpa before applying. You can do whatever you want but my suggestion is to complete your AA degree before thinking of transferring as at that time your HS records will not be a deciding factor.</p>

5

<p>@artloversplus Thanks. My high school records are on par with my college transcript, if not better, though. And I have strong SAT scores. </p>

6

<p>In that case I wouldn’t get my AA if I were you. It’s usually 30 credits that you need to complete at a CC before colleges consider primarily your CC record in transfer admissions. AA’s generally don’t have much impact in admission unless its a state school.</p>

7

<p>@NCXfer thanks for the reply. I believe I have 40 credits. I have been talking with my parents about this for the past few hours. I think I’m just going to take a few classes to boost my GPA this semester and move on.</p>

8

<p>Go sit down with the transfer advisor at both of the CCs on your list. Find out about any articulation agreements between those two CCs and the 4-year places that you are thinking of applying to. It might make sense to change CCs and it might not. It might make sense to complete the AA, and it might not. The transfer advisors will be able to help you think all of this through.</p>