Transfer Myths

1. My friend lost all his credits when he transferred into a senior college.

Any time a student transfers from one college to another, there is a chance that some credits will not be accepted, especially when transferring without an associates degree or with an A.A.S. degree. Generally students with an A.A. or A.S. degree transfer all of their credits. Transferring with an associate degree will maximize the number of credits SUNY and private colleges accept. It is important to plan early and speak to admissions counselors from the senior college while you are in the beginning of your SUNY Schenectady career, so that you can find out exactly how your SUNY Schenectady credits will be applied at the senior college. Generally speaking, the reasons that credits were not accepted were low grades, remedial or duplicate coursework, professional-technical courses not designed for transfer, or credits beyond the maximum number allowed for transfer.

2. A 2 year doesn’t prepare you for senior colleges.

Studies have shown that students who do well at the community college continue to do well at the senior college. Studies have also shown that transfer students do as well, or better than native students at 4 year colleges. If you have a borderline GPA at SUNY Schenectady, see a counselor to help you assess what gets in the way of doing well at SUNY Schenectady so that you can increase your GPA.

3. My SUNY Schenectady grades will get averaged in with my senior college grades.

Your SUNY Schenectady grades are looked at for admission purposes only. Credits will transfer, but not the grades. So your SUNY Schenectady grades will not get averaged in with your senior college grades, however if you go on to graduate school, your SUNY Schenectady grades will also be a factor.

4. Liberal Arts majors are only for undecided students, it’s not a real major.

Liberal Arts gives you a broad foundation and often matches the first two years of the senior college. Many senior colleges prefer that students major in liberal arts, although it is fine to major in any SUNY Schenectady curriculum as long as you plan ahead and talk to the senior college.

5. In senior colleges you get exactly what you pay for: a more expensive college will give you a better education than a less expensive college.

This is not the case. Ask yourself what you want to major in and if the senior college you are considering has an extensive program in your major, with well-published faculty. Over all, before making a decision about a senior college, research the specific programs to which you will be applying.

6. Never take out a student loan.

Sometimes after grants are exhausted, you may need to pay additional money to fund your college education. Taking out educational loans is an investment in your future.

7. Private colleges are not a transfer option because they are too expensive.

Despite relatively higher tuition costs than a public college, some private schools offer excellent financial aid packages and scholarships to make it more affordable to students. Do not exclude a dream school until you see their financial aid package.

8. Now that I am transferring after finishing at SUNY Schenectady, I am considered a graduate student.

No. You have earned an A.A. or A.S. or A.A.S. degree at SUNY Schenectady. You are considered an undergraduate student until you complete your B.A., B.S. or B.T. degree. Graduate students already have a bachelor’s degree.

9. The number of community college students transferring to 4 year schools is declining.

Wrong. The facts show a clear increase in the number of students transferring.

10. Students with an A.A.S. degree cannot transfer.

This is incorrect. Students with an A.A.S. degree will often not be covered by a guarantee transfer (although they are covered in some cases). For students in a A.A.S. program, they must be especially diligent with choosing their courses and have frequent contact with their advisor, transfer counselor and 4 year college.

11. If I transfer out of state, they won’t accept as many credits as a New York state school.

The number of transfer credits totally depends on the school. Whether it is in NYS or elsewhere, the individual school will make the determination. SUNY will accept General Education requirements from community colleges in NYS but many times these are similar to General Education courses at other state’s colleges also.

12. If I have an Associates degree from a SUNY 2 year college, they have to accept me no matter what my GPA is.

This is not the case. There is the guarantee that if you have a degree from a SUNY community college, you will be accepted by a SUNY school but there is no guarantee on the major or which school it will be.

13. All SUNY schools require the same GPA.

Each school has their own requirements for the school and for different majors.

14. All programs of the same major are the same at all schools.

No, different colleges may have different requirements for accounting majors, biology majors, psychology majors, etc.

15. All colleges offer an application fee waiver for members of Phi Theta Kappa.

No some do offer this waiver and some do not. Some will offer a waiver if a student receives a full Pell grant, some do not. Each school is different.

16. If I have a 2 year degree, it means 4 year colleges will accept all of my credits.

This happens many times but not all the time. Also often they will accept all of your credits, but many of them will be elective credits and will not go toward your degree so you will wind up with too many credits at graduation time. This is not a good transfer.