Many John A. Logan College students plan to go to a four-year college.  If you are among that group, you are probably asking some important questions.

• Where should I transfer?
• When should I transfer?
• What special preparations should I be making?
• How should I go about it?
• Who can help?

The Transfer Center of John A. Logan College provides services to help you make the most of your college education.  John A. Logan College provides quality associate degree programs at an affordable cost.  The center will assist you in transferring to four-year colleges and universities.

How the Transfer Center Can Help

• Provides you with information on transfer opportunities and assists you in the transfer process.
• Provides you with information about course selection and entrance into courses and programs.
• Refers you to student services such as financial aid, academic advising, counseling, and study skills workshops.
• Provides you with information on financial aid and scholarships available at four-year schools.
• Schedules meetings with representatives from four-year colleges and arranges for free visits to those schools.
• Provides access to a computerized career planning program and outlines the educational requirements for different careers.
• Follows your academic progress at John A. Logan College.

Question:  What's the best way to plan my program?

Answer:  Planning ahead while you are enrolled at John A. Logan College will help make the transfer process go more smoothly.

Consult your counselor, faculty advisor, and admissions officers from the colleges you are considering to determine which programs or courses will best suit your goals.  When you have chosen a four-year college, applied, and been accepted, ask the college for:

• An immediate credit evaluation, so you know which courses will transfer.  If this evaluation is completed early enough, it may be possible to revise your program at John A. Logan College to make up deficiencies or complete additional course requirements, if necessary.
• A meeting with your counselor or faculty advisor, if this can be arranged.  Your counselor or advisor will help you outline your program and plan the proper courses in the proper sequence.

But:

• "D" grades and below in your intended major will not be accepted by most colleges.
• Credit for non-college level developmental or remedial courses is not transferable.
• The acceptance of credit for specific courses will depend on their relationship to the senior college curriculum you have chosen.  If you change your major (for example, from biology at John A. Logan College to art at your transfer college), you can expect to lose some credits.  Some colleges will request that you take placement or competency examinations at or before registration to determine the exact level of your achievement in certain areas.  Your course placement may depend on the results of these examinations.
• The sooner you decide on your major and the four-year college you want to attend, the easier it will be to plan your program at John A. Logan College.  Don't wait until your last semester at the College to make decisions.
• John A. Logan College has "articulation" agreements for a variety of majors with many colleges in Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri.  These agreements outline the best program for you to take here in preparation for transfer to that college in a given curriculum.  Ask the Transfer Center coordinator, College counseling personnel, or your faculty advisor/coordinator whether articulation agreements exist for the college and major you are considering.

The admissions advisor, Transfer Center coordinator, your faculty advisor, the chairperson of your major department at John A. Logan College, and the transfer counselor at the four-year college you are considering.

Question:  How do I know my courses will transfer to a four-year college?

Answer:  What is known as the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is designed to allow you to begin your college career at one Illinois school and transfer to another school if you wish.  Consult your academic advisor early and often in your academic career, and remember that only certain courses will transfer.

These courses are the Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (i Transfer Gen. Ed.).  The curriculum is divided into 5 fields or categories.  Successful completion of these core courses at any participating associate or bachelor's degree program.  In order to complete Transfer Gen. Ed., you are required to take at least 12 to 13 courses (37 to 41 semester credits) as follows:

Communication: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select a 2-course sequence in writing (6 semester credits, C grade required), and select 1 course in oral communication (3 semester credits).

Mathematics: 1 or 2 courses (3 to 6 semester credits)

Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (7 to 8 semester credits)
Select 1 course from physical sciences.
Select 1 course from life sciences.
Select at least 1 laboratory course.
(Students with the appropriate preparation may substitute an initial course designed for science majors for a more general course.)

Humanities and Fine Arts: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 1 course from humanities.
Select 1 course from fine arts.
Select 1 course from either humanities or fine arts.

Social and Behavioral Sciences:  3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 3 courses from at least 2 different disciplines
(e.g., no more than 2 courses from, for example, psychology).

Question:  What is the best time to transfer?

Answer:  That depends on various factors, including your major and where you are transferring.  It is to your advantage to complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree before transferring.  Your other objectives at John A. Logan College may be:

• To correct academic deficiencies or strengthen academci skills.
• To complete prerequisites for admission to a particular college or for a major field.
• To explore the possibility of a major field of study.
• To prove that you can succeed at the college level.
• To earn inexpensive college credits that  will transfer.

Have you accomplished your goals at John A. Logan College?

You will want to ask yourself:

• Is my grade-point average acceptable to transfer to another school?
• Have I completed the courses I will need?
• Am I confident in my ability?
• Am I prepared to choose a major?
• Am I ready for the financial costs of a four-year college or university?

Some points you may want to keep in mind:
If you have completed only a few college credits, you will be considered a freshman--not a transfer applicant-- by most collegs, but, generally speaking, you will need to have earned at least one year of college credit (26-30 hours) to qualify as a transfer applicant.

• When colleges evaluate you as a transfer applicant, they will place more weight on your previous college grades, and attach less significance to your high school record or your standardized test scores.
• A "C" cumulative grade-point average (3.0 on John A. Logan College's 5-point scale) is a minimum needed for transfer.  Many colleges require higher grade-point averages for some, or all, programs.
• A maximum of 60-66 credits earned at a community college may be applied toward a four-year degree.
• Be certain you have completed all course prerequisites needed for admission to the program you are interested in.
• Consider the benefits of earning an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree:

1.  John A. Logan College's low tuition rate during half your college career.
2.  Preferential treatment for admission to state universities and the programs they offer, i.e., the 2+2 Program at  SIUC.
3. teh opportunity to show your success at the College level.
4. Automatic junior standing at some state universities and private colleges.

Who can offer help?

The center coordinator, academic and faculty advisors, and your instructors can help you evaluate your progress.  Your course grades also indicate your achievement.

Question:  What questions will the application ask?

Answer:  Colleges and universities may require some or all of the following:

• High school transcript
• Transcripts from all colleges previously attended
• Test scores--usually ACT or SAT, although many colleges waive this requirement if you have earned a year or more of college credit (30+ credits)
• Personal recommendations from people such as your counselor, faculty advisor, a favorite instructor, a high school teacher or guidance counselor, an employer or clergy
• An application essay
• A portfolio (especially for students in the arts)
• A personal interview or audition
• Information about co-curricular activities

• Read the form carefully and follow all directions.
• Supply everything the college asks for.   Have John A. Logan College and every other college you have attended (and, if necessary, your high school) send an official transcript.  Withholding materials can lead to rejection; if you believe that something in your records does not fairly represent your abilities, write an explanatory note or discuss it in person with an admissions counselor at the transfer college.
• Be careful, neat, and accurate.  Print or type all information.  Answer all questions completely.
• Meet all deadline dates.  Late applications may not be accepted, and will diminish your chances for financial assistance.

Question:  How many colleges should I apply to?

Answer:  It is a good idea to apply to more than one four-year college.  Here are several reasons:

Cost:  You have an opportunity to compare financial aid awards (see section below) from several colleges to see which will be the most affordable for you.

Security:  You may not be certain your application will be accepted by the college that is your first choice.

Uncertainty:  You may not be sure which of the two or three colleges is your first choice.  Applying to all of them allows you to delay your decision until you are certian which one you most want to attend.

Keep in mind:  Almost all colleges wil lcharge you an application fee (usually between $20 and $50) so submitting a number of applications can be expensive.  Try to narrow the field to two or three colleges before you apply.

Question;  Where should I transfer?

Answer:  There are many excellent colleges and universities in the State of Illinois.  Nationally, as well, you may choose from a wide selection of colleges and universities.  The college best suited for you will meet your personal and social needs, as well as provide the kind of academic environment you want.  Start to look around and ask questions.  Take a systematic approach.

You will want to ask yourself:

• Do I want a small or large college?  In the State of Illinois or elsewhere?
• What can I afford to pay (and what financial assistance will the college offer me)?
• Will I be limited to colleges within commuting distance, or will I be able to live on campus?
• Does the college have a strong program in my major field?
• Do I meet the requirements for transfer admission?
• What type of special services will be avilable to me?
• Disability related (notetaker, reader, interpreter, etc.)
• Tutoring
• Child care
• Mentoring
• Study skills workshops
• Counseling
• Career planning
• Job placement services

• Ask instructors or your faculty advisor.
• Ask friends, acquaintances, and family members who are attending (or have attended) other colleges or universities.
• Attend John A. Logan College transfer seminars (these are scheduled each semester; contact the Transfer Center).
• Talk with an admissions counselor.  Many area colleges regularly send representatives to visit John A. Logan College;  the counseling personnel or Transfer center coordinator can provide schedules for you.
• Consult general reference books such as the College Blue Book, Barron's, Lovejoy, and Peterson's Guide.

John A. Logan College advisors are specially trained to provide accurate and useful informaiton.