My options after FCCJ

The college-wide graduation on May 9 is less than 3 months away. If you're in the AA program like me that means it's time to decide where to go from here. An in-state public university may be the logical next step for those who want low tuition costs, sunny weather, and proximity to friends and family. You have 11 public universities in Florida to choose from; each with its own unique characteristics, programs and way of life. The easy transfer of credit is just one of the benefits you get when studying in-state. "Students' AA degrees are fully accepted at a state university," said Amy Perkins, a counselor at the Downtown Campus. "There is no question that you have met the freshman and sophomore requirements for a four-year degree."

I graduate in May, and have applied to schools both in Florida and out-of-state. All of my credits are counted at the Florida schools, but several of my core courses did not transfer to the out-of-state universities that accepted me. That means that if I choose to leave Florida, I have to be willing to re-take some general education classes.

Deciding where to complete your education can be a tough decision. But if you take the proper steps and prepare ahead of time, you'll enjoy a smooth and successful transfer process.

"The biggest challenge in transferring is whether or not you have all your prerequisites for your major," Perkins said. "Students sometimes will graduate with their AA degree, or have their 60 credits, and assume that means they're ready to be a junior at a university. That does not guarantee junior-level status."

Many majors at Florida universities are limited-access, meaning that they can only accommodate a certain number of students. Admission to these programs is more selective, so completing all the requirements is especially important.

"Some admissions requirements are peculiar to the institution, and it's up to the student to find out what changes are happening each semester and which of those apply to them," said Perkins.

Perkins told of past experiences where universities have changed their admissions deadlines without much notice. Because of this, students are advised to check the college's website frequently for updates.

Another way to ensure transfer success is to pay special attention to your performance in class. One of the most important criteria for admission to a competitive program is a student's cumulative grade point average.

"I think planning from day one for transfer is the best thing you can do," said Perkins. "If you have an awareness that you want to go on to the university, you understand how important that humanities grade is, and that science grade is, regardless of your major."

Meeting with the guidance staff at FCCJ is one of the best ways you can establish a clear plan for the future. You can call the Counseling and Advising department at 904-646-2300, or you can schedule an appointment with an advisor or counselor at your home campus.

So, how many schools should you apply to? That, of course, depends on you and your major. However, it's important to remember that having several options is a key to success.

"Apply as many places as you can afford to apply, that you would seriously consider attending. If you're worried about your chances of getting in, I would definitely encourage you to apply to more schools," said Perkins.



Personally, I value diverse options and choices. Because of this, I applied to a lot of schools: 3 in-state universities and 4 out-of-state universities. However, most students generally narrow their list to 3 or 4 schools and then apply to those.

Peter Biegel, the Executive Director of Student Success and Services, also emphasized this. "Apply to more than one school," he said, "and do not wait until the last minute."

Even the most well-prepared students can face difficulties in the transfer process. Budget cuts are forcing universities to deny more students, and this can make the admissions process more complicated than before. Thankfully, FCCJ has established a team of college professionals to help.

Biegel encourages students to take advantage of the college's Student Transfer Advocacy Team (STAT) if they are experiencing difficulties transferring out of FCCJ. To request help from STAT, sign into your Artemis homepage and select the "Transfer Advocacy" link.

"Once a student submits a request for assistance, one of these college professionals assists the student to provide guidance and in some cases provides advocacy on behalf of the student," said Biegel.

So to all of you who graduating students out there, I wish you the best of luck. I know that the transfer process can be daunting at times and exciting at others. My advice to you, besides planning ahead and researching the schools you'd like to attend, is to enjoy the journey.

As you step out into life's next chapter, remember all of the professors, friends, and staff members at FCCJ that have helped you get to where you are today, and never forget that anything is possible!