Transfer Advising

Steps to Successfully Transfer

From your first day as a Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) student, begin working on these steps to ensure a successful transfer. There are three choices to make when determining your ultimate goals: your career, your program, and your four-year institution.

Choose question

Step 1: Choose Your Career Path and Institution

Your Career

Start planning your future professional career path today. Not sure which path to take? Our Career Services team is here to help.

Your Program

Once you have a career goal in mind, we can help you determine which pathway at PGCC leads to your future goals at four-year institutions.  

Meet with an advisor to help select:  

• Transfer Programs (A.A., A.S., A.A.T.)
  • Programs designed to parallel the first two years of undergraduate studies to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college or university.
• Career Programs (A.A.S.)
  • Programs that provide technical skills necessary for employment and career advancement in a particular area of study. 

Your Institution

With a career and a program in mind, you can choose a college or university that best fits you.  

Step 2: Make A Plan

Meet with an academic and career adviser to develop your academic plan, and revisit that plan every semester to ensure you are on track for the smoothest transfer possible.

There are two categories of courses to consider:

General Education Requirements

These are approved courses required for most majors at two- and four-year institutions. Their purpose is to ensure a well-rounded education. All PGCC’s General Education credits are guaranteed to transfer to any Maryland public institution. Learn more about PGCC's Transfer Agreements and partnerships.

Program Requirements

These are courses within your specific academic pathway. If you are transferring to a Maryland public institution, you can access the Maryland Articulation System (ARTSYS) that specifies how PGCC courses will transfer to other Maryland institutions.

Note: Use your Owl Link login and click Equivalencies. 

Step 3: Apply to Your Four-Year Institution

Consider these questions:

• What is the application deadline?
  Give yourself the best chance of admission and apply by the school's priority deadline. Please make sure to review each school's application deadline.
• Do you need an essay? 
  Four-year institution applications usually require an essay or personal statement. The  Writing Center  offers help with transfer essays and personal statements.
• Do you need letters of recommendation? 
  Choose your reference providers carefully. Give them at least three weeks to complete and submit your reference. (Don’t forget to send thank-you notes.)
• Do you need to interview with admissions or a department chair?
  Our Career Services team can help you prepare for college interviews. 
• Are you planning to apply for financial aid or scholarships?
  Submit your FAFSA by the institution’s deadline and research any requirements for scholarship consideration. 
• Have you sent your final PGCC transcripts after grades are posted?
  Request an official PGCC transcript  before the application deadline. Once accepted, remember to also request another final official transcript that states your final grades and degree conferred date.