<p>Hi! I'm Jessica and I'm currently attending a Community College here in Michigan. I have a 4.0 GPA and am looking to eventually transfer to a 4-year University. I currently have 24 credits under my belt and do not plan to transfer until after the next academic year (so, Fall 2015 most likely). I am taking courses in Math, Science (Bio, Chem and Physics), English, Foreign Language, etc. and have most of the general education courses for the Community College graduation requirements done. </p>
<p>MY QUESTION IS: should I transfer to another school for the 2015/16 academic year and go on to get my bachelor's degree, or should I stick it out here for an additional semester or year and get my Associate's degree first? If I did get my Associate's degree it would probably be a basic Associate in Science degree (though I am also looking at completing a Certificate in Renewable Energies and Sustainable Living, if I go this route). The Associate in Science degree requires 62 credits to complete and by the end of the next academic year I will have at least 50 credits the way I figure I will take my classes.</p>
<p>Will the Universities I apply to as a transfer student look down on me for having completed my Associate's degree first? Will it negatively affect me? Some main schools I am looking at applying to are University of Michigan, Michigan State University (I'm from Michigan and love them both equally!), Auburn University, and some smaller women's colleges like Mount Holyoke, Wellesley College and Sweet Briar College.</p>
<p>So... should I get that Associate's Degree or not?</p>
<p>Associates Degrees do not count for anything. Unless your transfer college wants to see one you should not worry about getting one to transfer.</p>
<p>In the state I’m in (Missouri), most Universities have transfer scholarships for people that have competed their associates degree while maintaining a 3.5+ GPA. For the most part it seems that many encourage getting it, but I’m not sure if I would even bother if you don’t want to spend more time at a CC. I might not bother either.</p>
<p>Well, it all really depends on if you want the extra degree. It could help distinguish you, but if you value going to a bigger uni in 2015/16, consider just transferring. You have a 4.0, so your GPA is obviously not a problem, so I say, if you can just transfer, do that, but if the Associate’s Degree is really something you want, go for it.
It all just depends on what you value.
And as far as I know, I don’t think most universities will see the Associate’s as a hindrance.</p>
<p>^^ I second these. It also depends on where you want to transfer. For example, MIT doesn’t accept transfer applicants after a certain number of earned credits. I have never seen that before, but it made me look at my other colleges on my list closer. I would say finish any sequences to have a sense of completion (and not transferring in unusual combinations) but if you really want to transfer early, go for it! I originally was going to finish my Associate in Engineering Science before transferring, but found out some of the requirements, like Thermodynamics, doesn’t transfer. So I’d be wasting time, and more important, money. Just my .02. Good luck!</p>
<p>Talking about a 4.0 is not impressive with only 24 units. As long as you keep it up with the upper division courses you should be fine.</p>