If You Don't Know Yet Where You Want to Go

• Make the most out of your community college resources.
  Your community college will have lots of information that can help you decide where to transfer, and in what major. Be sure to meet with a counselor at least once each semester/ quarter you are enrolled. Visit the campus Career Center, where counselors there can help you choose from among thousands of potential occupations that match your particular interests and abilities. Join student clubs, explore the Internet, get to know key people on your campus, and ask questions. You will get the most out of your community college by getting involved in your own education.
• Visit your community college Transfer Center.
  If your college has a Transfer Center, be sure to take advantage of the many transfer services they offer, including university tours, transfer courses and workshops, scheduled meetings with university representatives, application and deadline information, and university admissions requirements, including what courses to take, and what GPA you will need to maintain for your chosen major.
• Research the colleges and universities you are interested in attending.
  In addition to reading university catalogs and other source documents, you should visit the campuses you are interested in if possible, and speak to an advisor in your major or academic program before making a final decision. Virtually all colleges and universities now have their own websites, so be sure to take advantage of the Internet as well. Virtual tours are available for many campuses, as well as housing information, cost of attendance and financial aid resources available to transfer students, program and major information, campus demographics, safety concerns, and more.
  
  Most universities require that you apply a year in advance of transferring, so you should have your choices ready, and be ready to submit your applications at least one year before you are ready to transfer (ask your counselor about application deadlines).
• Meet with representatives from 4-year colleges and universities.
  Check with a counselor or go to your community college Transfer Center to see when university representatives visit your campus to meet with students, and set up an appointment. These representatives can answer your questions about the admissions process, majors you are interested in, financial aid, housing, and more. Meetings may also be arranged on-line.
• Check out 4-year college and university information and related links on the NATN website, www.CollegeStepz.org.
  CollegeStepz contains information on hundreds of colleges and universities, with links to their home pages. Virtual tours are available for many campuses, as well as housing information, cost of attendance and financial aid resources available to transfer students, program and major information, campus demographics, safety concerns, and more.
• Be sure to have a counselor help you plan your coursework.
  A counselor can work with you to help you make good choices about what courses to complete. If you are undecided about a major or don't know where you want to transfer, you can get started on your general education courses while you explore your interests in majors and universities. Once you have decided on a major and a university, your counselor can help you identify appropriate courses for your major and destination, and should develop a Degree Plan for you that help you stay on track while enrolled at your community college. A Degree Plan should also show you what courses you can expect to take at your intended university once you transfer.
• Make it a point to understand university GPA requirements.
  Universities generally identify a minimum grade point average (GPA) that is required for admission. Certain majors also require GPAs higher than that for admission to the university; this is particularly true of highly selective majors. Pay close attention to GPA requirements for transfer, and keep your grades up. When in doubt, ask your counselor or advisor for assistance, or contact the college or university you plan to attend.