Tranferring credits from online college to Ivy League?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by artgirl, Jul 22, 2010.

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  1. artgirl

    artgirl New Member

    I want to eventually transfer into a reputable Brick and Mortar school something like UCLA or even UC Berkeley. I am 24 years old and find myself wanting to travel the world but also be able to work towards a degree. I am considering enrolling in an online Associate's degree program from one of the big 3 schools. My question is, have there been instances of people transferring their credits earned from online colleges to highly reputable universities such as UC Berkeley or NYU and even one of the Ivy Leagues to finish their undergraduate degrees? Not necessarily IVY LEAGUE but I just want to know if it's possible. Perhaps I would have a better chance if I did it at schools that are connected to a physical college. Alternatively I could also do part of an associate's degree online, and the rest at a B&M community college.

    I am also eligible to study and work in London until April of next year. In England they have the Open University as well as Birkbeck College, part of the University of London and both confer Foundation degrees (equivalent to the A.A. in North America) or Certificates of Higher Learning (rather similar). These are acceptable credentials for entry to Oxbridge, but I want to know if they are recognized in the United States.

    Anyone know? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    If you intend to transfer from an online-only (no campus) school, you may run into problems. However, if your degree was earned through DL and the institution that you'll be transferring from has a real campus, you may not have much problems. I'm saying this because I was recently turned down (by a state university) from doctoral admission and I suspect that it was due to the fact that my master's (with 4.0 GPA) was from an online-only school (TUI), even when my bachelors (3.86 GPA) was from one of DeVry's campus-based program. B&M schools are very discriminatory so beware. Chances are if you start attending online-only schools, your options will be limited to online-only schools/programs at subsequent levels. To avoid problems in the future, attend a school that has a physical location even if your classes are through distance learning. Goodluck!
     
  3. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    Your best bet is to talk to several schools beforehand. Elite schools can be very particular about what credits they accept for transfer and what credits they don't. For example, I transferred from a small state university to Georgetown after my freshman year. While they accepted most of my credits, I did have to fight a bit for a few of them.

    Also, be aware of the fact that even though they say yes now, their policies may change by the time you are ready to attend.
     
  4. Vincey37

    Vincey37 New Member

    Several California Community Colleges offer online Associates degrees. If you want to go to UCLA or Berkeley, that would probably be your best bet for transferability and cost.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>


    If it were me, I would enroll in a B&M California based community college that has a written articulation agreement with one of the schools you'd eventually like to attend. Through the CC, you will be able to take MANY/MOST/SOME of the courses online. Nearing the end, it's possible that you'll need to take some credits butt-in-seat.
    A written articulation agreement is important because it's a GUARANTEE from the 4 year university that if you complete the AA or AS degree from the CC that they 100% promise to accept your degree no matter what. :)
    This means you can also probably use a few CLEPs to save time and money.

    ******The articulation only works if you COMPLETE the degree. Having loose credits voids the agreement. Those 60 credits must be rolled into a degree per the agreement or your sol. So, check out one of the many CA CCs and you'll be on your way overseas in no time! Have fun!

    On a side note, generally the Ivy schools don't accept any transfer credit, not even AP credit, so they are likely not going to accept an AA / AS degree...but that doesn't mean you can't try! Email them and ask!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 22, 2010
  6. Godwulfe

    Godwulfe New Member

    Does this apply to transferring of credits only, or to the degree itself?

    I'm currently enrolled in WGU (online only) for my Bachelors and am looking at several Masters programs (at other schools) after that. It's (WGU) an accredited program (R,N & DETC) but I'd hate to find out I'm going to have a problem.
     
  7. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    It's very likely that you could have a problem. It would be a good idea to contact admissions at the B&M school you are considering. Find out directly from them if they will accept your bachelor's. Then there will be no questions in your mind.
     
  8. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I would heed cookderosa's advice if one of the UC's is where you want to end up. In regards to the Ivies, their admission of transfer students changes from year to year. Harvard will be accepting transfer students this Fall, but hasn't even offered it as an option the past three years.
    I know Cornell accepts transfers each year and they have actually had a push to take more transfer students from CC's in the last few years, especially the College of Engineering. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (I know it's not an Ivy, but it is one of the best state schools in the country) has also been accepting more CC transfer students the last few years. I believe Brown accepts CC transfers as well.
    I'll echo what others have said, do your AA at a school with a B&M presence. That will increase your chances of transferring to a top-tier university.
     
  9. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    If your residence is in California then you can take DL courses at CA community colleges then transfer them to UC schools. Most CA CCs list which courses transfer in their catalogs. This is probably the lowest cost approach to earning transferable credits.
     

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