Candace Aum receives information from Angela Borja about transfering credit hours. Photo by James Lazo III
Transitioning from a two-year college to a four-year university is stressful.
Students must deal with narrowing down their university choices, exhausting paperwork, finding correct information and meeting countless deadlines. The Center for Academic Transitions can help with the process.
The CAT, located in the Student Center, is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Its staff provides up-to-date information from colleges and universities. No appointments are necessary; walk-ins are welcome.Most universities require a student to have a minimum of 30 hours of college credit to be considered a transfer student. However, it is recommended that students transfer to a university with their associate’s degree (60 hours of coursework), which equals half of a bachelor’s degree.
For state (public) universities, students must apply online by the school’s deadline at www.applytexas.org to be considered for transfer. For private universities, consult their websites for transfer deadlines and applications.
Charley A. Garcia, team leader for the Center for Academic Transitions, works to demystify and uncomplicate the transfer process.
"We provide the educational roadmap for students to get from point A to point B," he said.
Serenity De Leon, a Social Work major, is a Peer Adviser at the Center for Academic Transitions. De Leon has signed a joint admission agreement with Our Lady of the Lake University, a private university, through its 2 plus 2 program with Palo Alto College.
"The center provided programs that helped me further my education," said De Leon.
Students who are considering private universities should sign a joint admission agreement with private universities so they don’t take extra classes and waste time.
Students planning to transfer to a state university should follow the college’s core curriculum (48 hours) along with the 12 hours in their field of study (major) to complete their associate’s degree.
Laurie Ann Guerrero, an adjunct English teacher for Palo Alto College was a former student who was helped in the application process.
Guerrero transferred from Palo Alto to Smith College, a prestigious Ivy League university, in 2004. Guerrero got the application fee waived from Smith College.
"The transfer center was vital in helping me achieve my goals," said Guerrero.
More than just helping fill out paperwork, the CAT staff also provides emotional support to students.
Stopping by the CAT is an essential step to transferring from Palo Alto College to a four-year university. If you’re ever in the Student Center, stop by and talk to one of its friendly staff, or you may call for help at (210) 486-3131.