Transferring to Uni, AA vs AS?

College Search & Selection Community Colleges
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<p>I go to Valencia College in Orlando right now, I have two semesters until I'm 'done' with the (Gen. Ed. Program) requirements for UCF where I plan to get a BA in Business Admin from. Right now, I have over a 3.5 GPA and like I said, 1 semester until I can theoretically be admitted to UCF.
However, I originally intended to get an AA and then transfer, as that was what was told to me by the advisors. So I have for the most part, fulfilled the AA requirements until this point, and in two semesters, I can get my A.A. in Business Admin.</p>

<p>My first question stems from funding, I get the PELL grant and a grant from the State of Florida, and together they both cover college costs. My dad talked to the funding office and they said that once dispersed, I couldn't switch schools during the school year, I'd have to wait until fall to get funding again to go to UCF. Is this true? Originally I had planned to stay at CC for six semesters, because it was all free and I couldn't transfer early.</p>

<p>However, I need a language to get my AA. As I have spent a considerable amount of time in China, speak some Mandarin, and am married to a Chinese wife, I want to take Mandarin which is only available at UCF. Taking another F-L is essentially a waste for me, in both time and money. </p>

<p>Which brings in option three: Getting an A.S. in Business Administration that is part of an articulated program with UCF for my intended BABA degree. This option primarily doesn't require a foreign language.
Most importantly, this will FREE up valuable space to take more classes. I can attend the Fall, Spring, and get a free Pell Grant to take more Summer classes before I graduate.
If I take this route I have to take only three more classes which I had planned on taking anyway. I can also take computer programming courses, and explore accounting and finance courses as well as Business Law. This will simply help me broaden my horizons and prepare for UCF.</p>

<p>Part of the motivation to do this is so I can have an AS degree and an easier time getting a job/internship if need be. If I take the AS path I can go to UCF with all of the AA requirements completed, plus a jump on my BA and an insight into the field as a whole. </p>

<p>How does this all sound, is it a smart plan? Will UCF see it as acceptable/hold me above a traditional AA or AS applicant?</p>

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<p>Since money seems to be an issue, your best choice is to choose the program that has the articulation agreement for the major that you want. Meet with the transfer counselor at your CC so that you can make certain that you do indeed fulfill all of the requirements. That way as soon as you finish your associates degree, you can transfer directly into the third year of your major.</p>

<p>If money weren’t an issue, and you wanted to get to UCF as soon as possible, it would be fine to apply for transfer there now. However, you might not be guaranteed admission directly into the major that you want. Why don’t you just give the admissions office there a quick call (or visit in person), and ask them about this? </p>

<p>You also should talk with their financial aid office about whether or not you can transfer mid-year and have your Pell funding follow you. I think that should be possible because it is federal money. I have no idea about the Florida state money. If you ask about this in the Financial Aid Forum, someone there will probably know the answer.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>