Tips for Advising Transfer Students

Summary of Advising Council Workshops (May 21 and 24, 2012)

Questions or concerns: student perspective:

  • Some transfer students expect more individual advising attention than what we can often provide during orientation;
  • Students who transfer 50 or more credits expect to register for upper-level, major-specific classes;
  • Students who transfer 50 or more credits expect to graduate in two years, even though they may not have completed program-specific, introductory courses;
  • Some students are confused about the contact information for their regular adviser (especially if they are advised by somebody different during orientation);
  • Some students are confused about why some courses did not transfer;
  • Some students are overwhelmed about the size and complexity of VCU.

Questions or concerns: adviser perspective:

  • How can we check on missing transfer credits?
  • How can we change an equivalency decision for a transfer course?
  • How do we know if a student has an associate degree and what is our waiver policy for associate degree holders?
  • How flexible are we with applying transfer courses toward University Core requirements?

Resources for advisers:

  • Orientation Transfer Advising Checklist
  • Transfer Credit Inquiry Form
  • Waiver Request for Approved Degree Holders
  • University Core Attributes for Transfer Courses
  • Information on AP and IB Credit

Goal: resolve all transfer advising problems by the conclusion of the student’s first semester at VCU.

New Student Orientation

Transfer Advising Checklist

Step 1: Review student’s academic transcript.

Is the student missing transfer credits?

  • Were the missing courses taken during the most recent semester?
  • Were the missing courses taken at another institution?
  • Were the missing courses taken at high school as Dual Enrollment credit?
  • Were the missing courses AP or IB credit from high school?
  1. Check with Transfer Center representative to determine whether we have received a final transcript.
  2. List missing courses on Transfer Inquiry Form and submit form to Transfer Center representative at the conclusion of the advising session.
  3. Instruct student to request missing college transcripts (including Dual Enrollment transcripts) be sent to: Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 821 W. Franklin Street, Box 842526, Richmond, VA 23284-2526.
  4. Students should submit AP or IB test scores to: Ms. Evelyn Bradshaw, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Avenue, Suite 5116, Richmond, VA 23284-2015.

Step 2: Review student’s Degree (Audit) Evaluation.

Is the student a degree holder?

  • Check degree status of student: Did the student complete an approved associate degree (A.A., A.S., A.A.&.S) or a bachelor’s degree? If so, the Core requirements and most of the general education requirements are automatically waived (the College requires completion of the writing, math, and foreign language requirements). Complete the Waiver Request for Approved Degree Holders and submit the form to Transfer Center representative for verification of degree.

Has the student completed all his/her Core requirements?

  • Identify all remaining Core requirements for student and instruct student that these requirements must be completed for graduation.
  • Request override into UNIV 111 or UNIV 112 if the student needs the course and he/she is not a freshman (i.e., to override the freshman class restriction). The section must be open and have available seats.

Has the student completed all his/her General Education requirements?

  • Identify all remaining General Education requirements for student and instruct student that these requirements must be completed for graduation.

What does the student need for his/her collateral and/or major requirements?

  • Review major courses listed as 1XX/2XX/3XX/4XX to determine whether these courses need reevaluated so that they can be posted as VCU equivalents. If you think reevaluation is warranted, list courses on Transfer Inquiry Form and submit form to Transfer Center representative at the conclusion of the advising session. NOTE: whenever possible, the Transfer Center evaluates transfer courses as VCU equivalents to ensure that degree requirements are fulfilled.
  • Identify all remaining collateral and/major requirements for student and instruct student that these requirements must be completed for graduation.

Step 3: Advise and register students for classes.

Does the student need any placement tests (math, chemistry, foreign language)?

  • Inform student that placement test is necessary to enroll in class.
  • Inform student of placement test procedures.
  • If necessary, request override into math stretch and/or foreign language classes.

What courses does the student need to take during the first semester?

  • Review remaining requirements and demonstrate use of “Course Descriptions” so student can determine whether prerequisites are necessary for prospective courses (
  • Instruct student on how to use eServices to register for classes and assist student in registering for classes.
  • Provide information on how to request overrides into major-courses.
  • Help students register for the student’s preferred minimum number of credits before he/she leaves orientation.
  • Document the courses you advised the student to take.

TRANSFER CREDIT INQUIRY FORM

Instructions: Complete this form if you are missing a transfer credit evaluation or if you are requesting a re-evaluation of your transfer credit. Please review your request with your academic advisor (the form requires an advisor signature) and return the form to the Transfer Center, 224 Hibbs Hall. NOTE: Please provide a course description or syllabus for any transfer course that requires a re-evaluation.

ALL INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED TO REVIEW YOUR REQUEST

Date:______SIDnumber:______

Last Name:______First Name:______

Current Major:______

Day Phone:______Home Phone:______

VCU Email Address: ______

Adviser Name: ______Adviser Signature: ______

List all previous colleges/universities attended, dates of attendance, and degrees awarded

______

______

______

Indicate each specific course number, course title, college/university, and nature of request:

College/University / Course Number / Course Title / Nature of Request
(missing or re-evaluation)

For office use only:

Date Received: ______Date credit inquiry completed: ______

Transfer Center Signature: ______

(Attach copy of email sent to student)

Waiver Request for Approved Degree Holders

Students who have earned one of the following degrees prior to their enrollment at VCU may request that any remaining University Core and certain general education requirements be waived for graduation (i.e., requirements not completed by means of transfer courses). Approved degrees include:

  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution;
  • Approved transfer-oriented associate degree (e.g., Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, Associates of Arts & Sciences, Associates of Arts & Sciences in General Studies);
  • General Education Certificate from a Virginia Community College.

Instructions to adviser: Please complete the form and email it to the Transfer Center at . The Transfer Center will verify degree completion and email the student, adviser and Degree Audit office with confirmation. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THIS FORM TO THE STUDENT.

Name of Student: ______SID: V______

Transfer Degree: ______Previous School/College: ______

VCU Primary Major: ______VCU Email: ______

Adviser name: ______Adviser Email: ______

NOTE:

  • The transfer policy for associate degree holders has been expanded to include associate degrees from any college (not just Virginia community colleges).
  • Applied associate degrees from community college are technical programs rather than transfer degrees and, therefore, the transfer policy does NOT apply to applied associate degrees.
  • Although all the University Core requirements are automatically waived with the documented completion of an approved degree, each college/school determines its own policy on the waiver of general education requirements (for more information about your school’s policy on general education requirements, please contact your associate dean).
  • Students who receive a waiver of requirements will still need to complete the minimum number of credits required for graduation.
  • Students who receive a waiver of requirements will still need to complete specific course requirements for the degree program.
  • Students will still need to complete prerequisite courses. For example, UNIV 200 is the prerequisite for many upper-level courses.
  • Documentation of the successful completion of the degree must be submitted before the conclusion of the student’s first semester at VCU so the student’s admission record and degree audit can be updated.

For Transfer Center use only:

Date Received: ______Degree verification:  Yes  No

Transfer Center Signature: ______

Core/General Education Attributes for Transfer Courses

The courses listed below are the VCU equivalents of transfer courses. Students who transfer to VCU with these courses will be able to count them toward the Core or General Education requirements. Once students have enrolled at VCU, they must complete approved University Core and General Education courses at VCU. The courses listed below, if taken at VCU, will NOT count toward the University Core and General Education requirements.

  1. Social/behavioral science (Core: CSOC) and Human, Social and Political Behavior (H&S General Education: CSC3)

In addition to the VCU courses already approved for this requirement, transfer courses that are equivalents of the following VCU courses will have the CSOC and CSC3 attributes:

  • GEOG 102, URSP 116
  1. Natural/Physical Sciences (Core: CSCI) and Science and Technology (H&S General Education: CSC4)

In addition to the VCU courses already approved for this requirement, transfer courses that are equivalents of the following VCU courses will have the CSCI and CSC4 attributes:

  • BIOL 151, CHEM 101, CHEM 112, ENVS/GEOG 105, PHYS 101, PHYS 107, PHYS 201, PHYS 202, PHYS 207, PHYS 208
  • Most general (or interdisciplinary) science courses that students take to fulfill general education requirements at their institution
  1. Humanities/Fine Arts (Core: CHUM) and Diverse and Global Communities (H&S General Education: CSC5) and Literature and Civilization (H&S General Education: CSC6)

In addition to the VCU courses already approved for this requirement, transfer courses that are equivalents of the following VCU courses will have the CHUM and CSC5 attributes:

  • INTL/RELS 311, INTL/RELS 312, INTL/RELS 341, RELS 101

In addition to the VCU courses already approved for this requirement, transfer courses that are equivalents of the following VCU courses will have the CHUM and CSC5 attributes:

  • Any introductory English literature course (e.g., Introduction to American Literature)
  1. General Education Electives (for H&S)

The following courses will NOT count toward the Core education requirements but H&S students can count them toward the general education elective requirements.

a. General Education electives for Human, Social and Political Behavior (CGE3):

  • ANTH 312, ECON 203, GEOG 312, HSEP 101, MASC 101, POLI 321, SOCS 340, SOCY 302, SOCY 340, URSP 304

b. General Education electives for Science and Technology (CGE4):

  • BIOL 152, GEOG 203, GEOG 204, CHEM 102

c. General Education electives for Diverse and Global Communities (CGE5):

  • GEOG/INTL 303, GEOG/INTL 304, GEOG 320, INTL 365, POLI 109, POLI 365, URSP 320

d. General Education electives for Literature and Civilization (CGE6):

  • AFAM/HIST 105, AFAM/HIST 106, ANTH 105, ANTH 312, FRLG 204, GEOG 312, any introductory history survey class (e.g., HIST 101), INTL 104, INTL 204, MASC 290, PHIL 101, PHIL 103, PHIL 104, PHIL 211, PHIL 212, PHIL 213, PHIL 214, POLI 107, RELS 334

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

ORIENTATION 2012-2013

IB AND AP TEST SCORES

Examinations determining advanced placement are the International Baccalaureate examination and the Advanced Placement test of the College Entrance Examination Board. AP test scores of 3, 4 or 5 may be awarded from 3 to 10 semester credits per AP test, depending on the subject area.

Credit for IB examination scores will be determined in a similar way. Each Higher Level (HL) subject passed with a score of 4 to 7 and Standard Level (SL) with a score of 5 to 7 will be considered for advanced standing and credit for the corresponding courses at VCU.

Equivalency charts detailing VCU’s policy for granting credit for both AP and IB test scores can be found in the current VCU Bulletin

To ensure consistency, the Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction and Student Success (fifth floor of Harris Hall, Room 5116) will be the official credit notification point for IB and AP scores. Final determination of credit will be made after test results have been received and evaluated by the university. Credits awarded are counted as credits earned toward the degree, but are not used in the computation of the student’s VCU grade-point average. Notification of credits earned will be sent to the registrar and to the student. The School of the Arts will evaluate courses taken in music, theatre or visual arts. Additionally, an IB diploma will entitle you to 3 elective credits for the “Theory of Knowledge” course, provided the grade is a C (Satisfactory), or higher.

All other transfer credits (including dual enrollment and credits from a community or four-year college/university) are handled by the University Transfer Center located on the second floor of Hibbs Hall.

NOTE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS. The VCU policy on AP and IB credit may differ from any previous college you attended. In order for VCU to award you credit, you must submit your AP and IB scores directly to VCU.

HOW TO ENSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE CREDIT FOR AP AND IB

When you took the AP/ IB exams in high school, you may have requested that your scores be sent to several colleges and universities. If you included Virginia Commonwealth University in this request, your scores will automatically be sent to us in mid-July of that year. However, if you did not, you have several other options to ensure that we receive them:

  • Send a copy of the score report (or IB certificate/diploma) that you received from the testing agency to us via fax, mail or email. We do not need the original. The copy will be checked for authenticity by a member of our staff.
  • If you cannot locate your copy, we suggest that you call your high school and ask that they mail, fax or email your score report to us. IB and/or AP score reports are automatically sent to your high school (just like the score reports you received). WE CANNOT ACCEPT A COPY OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT THAT REFLECTS YOUR AP OR IB SCORES. Neither can we accept score reports that you, or your high school, print off the computer.
  • Another option is to contact The College Board at their web site at or IB (), and request that a copy of your scores be sent to us. There is a fee for this service. VCU’s “code” number for the AP score report is #5570. All score reports and any questions should be directed to:

Evelyn F. Bradshaw

Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction

Virginia Commonwealth University

P. O. Box 842015

Richmond, VA 23832-2015

(804) 827-0838

Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that all AP and IB scores are sent to VCU before the end of your first semester!!

Virginia Commonwealth University | University College | Transfer Center
Room 224, Hibbs Hall | 900 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 827-1349 | Fax: (804) 828-0495