Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Pre-Transfer Advisors are committed to preparing transfer students to make a smooth transition to the University of Maryland. Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the services available to prospective University of Maryland students.
3. I have earned a lot of credits. How many will apply towards my UM degree?
1. I am filling out my pre-advising worksheet and I can’t find my courses in the transfer credit center database. Does this mean that I won’t get credit for them?
It does not automatically mean that you will not receive credit for the courses. It may mean that some of your courses need to be evaluated to determine if they are accepted and if so, which requirements they will satisfy. It takes four to six weeks to receive the results of your evaluation.2. I want to major in a Limited Enrollment Program but I haven’t satisfied all of the gateway requirements. Can I still be considered for admission?
Yes. If you have not completed all of the gateway requirements, you may still be can still be considered for admission to Maryland. If you are admitted, you may complete the remainder of the requirements and apply as an internal transfer student.3. I have earned a lot of credits. How many will apply towards my UM degree?
Students are expected to earn at least 120 credits to graduate with a degree from UM. A maximum of 90 transfer credits can apply to your UM degree but only 60 of those transfer credits may come from a 2-year institution. If you have completed more than the allowable amount of transfer credits, your major department will make sure that the most important and necessary credits are applied to your degree.4. I’m taking classes at Montgomery College; do I need to complete my associate’s degree before I can transfer to UM?
You may apply to UM before completing your associate’s degree. If you transfer with less than 30 credits you will have to submit your SAT/ACT scores and high school transcript with your application. If you finish your associates degree you may have completed many of your lower level general education requirements.5. I’m really interested in attending the University of Maryland (UM). What are my chances of getting in?
The Pre-Transfer Advisors are not involved in the admission decision making process but can answer questions about the transferability of your courses and major options. Contact a counselor in the Admissions Office for more information about the application process and your chances of being admitted. They can be reached by telephone at 301.314.8385, via email at um-admit@umd.edu, and in person in the Admissions Office.6. I’ve taken a lot of courses at my current school, what happens to the courses that don’t count towards my major?
Courses that do not satisfy your remaining general education (CORE) requirements or major requirements may still count towards your UM degree. However, not all courses will be used as electives.7. I took a course that is similar to one of my UM major requirements at my previous school but the Transfer Credit Center database says it only counts as an elective. What should I do?
Send the syllabus for the elective course to the Transfer Credit Center (tccinfo@deans.umd.edu) to request an evaluation of the course for the major requirement. It may take four to six weeks to process your evaluation.8. I am a junior at my current school but I want transfer and graduate from UM. How long will it take to graduate?
It depends. You must complete at least 120 credits to graduate which includes major requirements, general education courses, and electives. There is a four year plan available for every major which outlines (semester by semester) which classes students need to take to graduate. Prior to enrolling at UM, you may receive an unofficial audit of your courses which will tell you which requirements you have satisfied and use that information to create an academic plan for graduating.9. I have one more semester at my current school before I transfer to UM. However, I am about to register and don’t want to take any unnecessary courses. What should I do?
Prior to enrolling at UM, you may receive an unofficial audit of your courses which will tell you which requirements you have satisfied. Based on that information, a Pre-Transfer Advisor can provide you with course suggestions. Information about the UM equivalent to courses at your current school is available in the Transfer Credit Center database.For more information about the transfer process please visit http://www.transferfaqs.umd.edu
Pre-Transfer Advising Program • 0110 Hornbake Library, College Park, MD 20742Phone: 301.405.9448 • Email: transferadvising@umd.edu