Uncertainty is the biggest factor in the life of a community college student.
Does that class go with that major? Will college and work be compatible? Will there be winter session? Will that university accept these grades?
Higher education leaders launched a new website on Tuesday with information for community college students seeking admission to California State University campuses with a transfer degree, according to latimesblog.com.
The new website, Adegreewithaguarantee.com, is supposed to take the uncertainty out of the transfer process, but the computer counseling service is severely limiting students.
The launch of the website is in accordance with the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act that was passed in 2010.
The law made two-year colleges start a program that guarantees students with an associate degree for transfer a spot in a CSU, according to latimesblog.com
The only majors currently listed for EC on Adegreewithaguarantee.com are communication, psychology, geology and sociology.
Not only are EC students limited to those four majors as of now, but even if they are pursuing a major on that list, not all CSUs will be accepting that major.
In other words, for an EC student to take advantage of the transfer guarantee, he or she must pick from only from only those four majors.
The only upside is that this tiny window may be an EC student’s only chance to transfer during the spring of 2013.
“The (CSU) system will only be accepting students who fall under SB 1440, a new law that gives students guaranteed admission in a CSU if they complete certain criteria and gain an associate degree for transfer,” Mike Uhlenkamp, a CSU spokesman, said.
What does that mean for students trying to get in conventionally, especially if California’s education budget is cut further?
If students with an associate degree guarantee are given priority, then all majors must be added to the guarantee list for every school.
It’s not fair to limit EC students to a measly 4 majors.
Some majors aren’t even offered as of today.
A curious journalism student persuing the Adegreewithaguarantee.com website will be written off with a “coming soon!” message.
Geography students would have to find a different state on the map to try to transfer this spring semester because their major is also unavailable.
The website adegreewithaguarantee.com complies with the 2010 Act but reduces hope from students planning to transfer.
Until more majors are approved as guaranteed transfer degrees, the act and the website will then be more useful for students.