Transfer to a University
Bellevue College hosts a Transfer Fair every Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter. Events include major-specific group advising sessions, personal statement writing workshops, and a fair including admissions representatives from over 30 local and national universities. To find out more about the next transfer fair click here.
We also host a variety of University representative visits throughout the quarter. Check out our current schedule here.
Find us on Facebook!
The Bellevue College Transfer Program consists of university transfer advising and the Transfer Center located at the Educational Planning Advising Office (2nd floor of Student Services, Bldg. B). Being a transfer student is very exciting but can be challenging. The more you take charge of your educational path, the more successful your transfer will be. The following pages provide information and resources to help you navigate the transfer process. The transfer program provides you: Bellevue College advisors and university admissions counselors, events, and materials to learn about degree and admissions requirements, and being major ready. Throughout the quarter we provide programs and events to help support you through your transfer process.
What is a Transfer Student?
A transfer student is any student who has college coursework at one institution and then transfers that coursework to another institution. As a transfer student, you may complete about half (90 credits) of your bachelor’s degree at Bellevue College (BC). After transferring, you will complete your bachelor’s degree, which consists of at least 180 college-level quarter (120 semester) credits.
What degree do you want to complete?
Once you know you are a transfer student, deciding what transfer degree you are working towards is important. Selecting the appropriate transfer degree depends on your ultimate goal and your college major. View the transfer degree options Bellevue college offers.
We recommend you complete your transfer degree at Bellevue College prior to transferring for several reasons. One benefit is most Washington state 4-year colleges agree to accept all 90 credits from your degree for transfer, and you may be able to transfer with junior status, depending on whether you have also met prerequisites for your major. Some colleges and universities will also consider most or all of your general education requirements to be met if you complete a DTA degree.
If you are an undecided student, don’t worry. Exploring your career and/or major is one of the first steps as a college student. Many students begin college undecided on what these goals will be. There are several resources available to assist you in identifying your future paths. Visit the Career Center to meet with a career counselor. There are websites for you to research majors such as, Princeton Review Major Research.
After you know your area of interest or major, it is time to search for the best school for you. View a list of in and out of state schools.
About a year before you plan to attend a university, you will want to begin the admission process. First Being aware of the priority dates and deadlines to apply for admissions as a transfer student is crucial. View the following tables for general university admission requirements, such as grade point average, as well as what documents to submit with your transfer application. Also, universities have admission and graduation requirements regarding foreign language. Please review the Foreign Language Requirements to learn about your requirements.
The Associate Transfer Degrees are designed to transfer within Washington State. To transfer out of state, work closely with your BC advisor and research the university requirements and transfer process. In some cases, you might not be completing your transfer degree. Make sure the classes you are planning to take at Bellevue College will transfer. Equivalency Guides in the state of Washington. Articulation agreements are designed to build strong partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions, view the Bellevue College articulations with 4-year colleges and universities.
Being major ready means that in addition to completing the degree requirements for your transfer degree, you also need to be ready to apply or join your major when you transfer. Many majors have prerequisite classes you must take prior to being admitted to that particular major or program. The following are common planning website transfer students’ use.
Univeristy of Washington Academic Planning Worksheets
Western Washington University Major Planning Site
Applying to your university
Application
Each university has individual application deadlines. Please view the Admission tables to learn more about admission’s deadlines and requirements. Applications are generally available online (electronic) or in a hard copy version. Some universities have lengthy applications so give yourself plenty of time to work on these.
Application Fee
There will be an application fee that is non-refundable. Here’s a Tip…Some universities may waive the fee based on different conditions. Check with the universities regarding this option.
Official Transcripts
Request official transcripts from all colleges you have attended. You must submit all transcripts even if you don’t like your grades or think coursework will count. Some universities require an official high school transcript as well.
Personal Essay
most universities require a personal essay. It’s important to write a different essay for each school you are applying to. Bellevue College’s Writing Lab can assist you in the creative process in the writing statement. View the Personal Statement guide.
Financial Aid Application
Applying for financial aid and scholarships is similar to what you did at Bellevue College. Make sure you visit your transfer university’s financial aid website to see other steps you might have .
GPA
Have a strong GPA to be a competitive applicant. To learn what your GPA please view your unofficial transcripts . The GPA calculator will help you determine what your GPA could be.
After applying
Make sure you have competed your transfer degree. Use Degree Audit to make sure you are on track for graduation.
Apply for Bellevue College graduation to ensure your degree is posted on your transcripts.
Financing your Bachelor Degree
Tuition at the university will be substantially higher. View here to see how tuition can vary depending on the type of institution.
1. Apply for the financial aid through the federal financial aid application
2. Scholarships and Grants for Transfer Students. Browse the scholarship links for national scholarships. http://bellevuecollege.edu/scholarships/
Transitions
Many universities provide resources to support you. Here a list of a few examples that have transfer resources for your transition.
SU Transfer Office Link
UW Bothell new student orientation
UW Transfer Services
Transfer guide Read the Transfer Guide to get a more in-depth knowledge about the transfer process.
Transfer Checklist Print this step by step process of your transfer
Transfer Tips:
Transfer Tip #1 Read this document to understand what it means to be a transfer student.
Transfer Tip #2 Here are a list of questions to ask the university admissions counselors.
Transfer Tip #3 Here is a list of all the universities and 4-year schools.
Foreign Language Requirements Learn what the university foreign language requirements are for university admissions and graduation.
Admission tables admissions deadlines and requirements for in and out-of state universities.
The following advising worksheets are designed to provide you with suggested transfer courses for your intended major at the university level.
Know your transfer rights and responsibilities.
If you are having issues with transfer after following campus-specific processes for resolution, please contact the Transfer Liaison directly at transferliaison@hecb.wa.gov
