UVa transfer student: Credits Question

<p>So I am about to transfer to UVa College of Arts and Sciences in the fall of 2013.</p>

<p>My current amount of credits (from NVCC, I did not use the GAA) is 55 credits. However, I noticed that my spanish 101,102 are 5 credits at NVCC and 4 credits at UVa. Meaning that I should have 53 credits at UVa.</p>

<p>From my understanding 54 credits is the minimum for a 3rd year student. Meaning I will be a second year. I am actually very happy about this outcome because it will take more pressure off of me.</p>

<p>Now my question, is the above scenario true? Will I only have 53 credits and therefore be a 2nd year at UVa?</p>

<p>I would call and ask. The answer could vary person to person</p>

<p>They said that we would have to wait for my credit evaluation but after using their evaluator everything works perfectly besides those credits.</p>

<p>Careful. Did you earn an associate’s? As in, any other credits outside of NVCC?</p>

<p>I would “guess” that you didn’t since you say 55 creds.
In my situation I earned an associate’s and so they automatically plugged me in as a third year even though I only transferred in 38 credits! (I had AP/military ed. credits that went to my CC but not UVA).</p>

<p>Eventually, I had a meeting with the transfer dean and got an extra semester awarded. They were trying to tell me I could still graduate in 4 semesters by using summer/J-term, which was ridiculous considering what I hoped to study, and I managed to convince them otherwise. </p>

<p>I would think you’ll be granted 5 semesters of full-time study to graduate. But stay on top of the situation.</p>

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<p>Oculus, I am so glad this all worked out for you!</p>

<p>^Thanks! So am I. I am studying astronomy and physics and I was crushed when they told me 4 semesters (No way I could pull it off). </p>

<p>Almost done with my first year here and it is going great :)</p>

<p>I did NOT earn my associates at nvcc, I should have 53 credits entering UVA which should place me as a second semester 2nd year. Giving me, like you, 5 semesters to complete my work.</p>

<p>Ideally I just want an extra semester to adjust to the culture as well as pick up some additional courses required for my major so I don’t have to instantly declare</p>

<p>Alrighty. Hope it works out in your favor. Check up on it, though. You are left with “67” credits to get a typical bachelor’s. That’s 16.75 per sem, not counting possible summers, etc. I wouldn’t assume they are going to give you a particular level. I came in 7 credits UNDER the level they gave me. (This is AFTER I got the extra semester, mind you)</p>

<p>They are going to send you something as soon as they evaluate you, so it’s not like it’s gonna slip past you. Best of luck.</p>

<p>@TheOculus Similar situation here. Even though the credits being transferred are below junior status, the offer is for summer school now, then beginning at UVA as a third year. I also think that some of the units will not apply to the major, making the load in 4 semesters even heavier. A call and email have been placed to the department, but no answer yet! I don’t understand the “granting” of semesters process.</p>

<p>I’m from out-of-state, so am unfamiliar with the system. Thanks for any info!</p>

<p>^What I ended up doing was taking two Gen Ed classes at community college the summer before I started. Boosted my creds by 6 and saved a lot of cash. </p>

<p>As far as the “granting” thing, well, you only get a certain amount of time to finish a degree. UVA is fairly strict about finishing on time, although you can do a part-time semester after your allotment (though I don’t think you get any fin aid if you need).</p>

<p>Don’t overlook J-term. You can pick up 3 credits coming back early over winter break and taking a single course in a very condensed time frame (a couple of weeks). Only certain courses are offered each year, but it can work out really well to lighten a credit heavy spring term.</p>

<p>I took J-term twice, mostly to free up fall/spring schedules to allow me to complete a minor. I found the classes very, very rewarding, but the time crunch is not for everyone. The first time I took it (winter, 2nd year) was to complete a technical elective and so I took a geology/engineering/STS class and it was great. The second time (winter, 4th year, I had 5.5 weeks of break due to my finals schedule) I took a class called “The History and Science of Wine” which addressed the evolution of the science and technology behind wine/wine-making. That class was even better and i loved every second. </p>

<p>That said, I went in to the classes loving the topics and knowing exactly what I’d get out of it. Others who were taking it to fulfill classes didn’t have the same experience, others were miserable because they were spending 2.5 weeks in a 7-hour class (yes, it’s pretty grueling some days. Both teachers let the class decide when we’d start and let us out early if we completed the material. Other classes ran 8am-4pm with an hour lunch, all day, everyday). I enjoyed the subjects, had great teachers, and had a great experience while not feeling fried when I got back for spring (in fact, I felt refreshed, as I continued to use my brain but for subjects that I really, really wanted to learn). But relying on J-term to fulfill classes is tough to bank on, especially with the limited offering.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the info! Really appreciate the responses!</p>