Speaker advises planning
by Carol Vanpell
reporter

“The waters are full of sharks, electric eels and alligators,” a NE counselor told students at a recent degree-planning seminar.

Adam Baugh, academic adviser, suggested his audience plan ahead. Students planning to transfer to a university should make a transfer checklist, Baugh said.

“ Make sure your school has your major,” he said.

Not all colleges offer the same curriculum. Some specialize in certain study areas, Baugh said, so students must make sure their major is offered before they consider anything else.

“Also find out how your school ranks with your major,” he said.

Other considerations, according to Baugh, are the size of the school, location and price.

The adviser suggested asking the following questions: What size are the classes? Is it close to family and friends? Is it within budget?

Answering these questions, Baugh said, will help students make the right choice.

“ Talk to faculty and students and get their opinions.” he said.

Baugh believes it is also important to check out the local area and learn about job opportunities if students plan to work.

Each school has specific degree requirements, Baugh said, and it is up to the student to find out exactly what those requirements are.

“ Find out what the minimum GPA is for your college and for your major. They may not be the same,” he said.

Private schools such as TCU are much more expensive than UTA and UNT, Baugh said.

The cost per semester at UNT and UTA ranges from $2,500 to $4,700 versus $9,800 for TCU.

“ TCU gives a $17,000 scholarship to TCC and UTA and UNT each give $2,000 scholarships to TCC,” he said.

Students who want to apply for these scholarships must plan well in advance and meet all the criteria.

Baugh also advised students to get important dates and deadlines for applications.

“ It is never too early to start planning. This will save you disappointments later on,” he said.

All transfers can be done on the college Web sites.

Richard Vela, academic adviser, presented the second half of the seminar.

“ Credits earned at TCC will transfer to schools anywhere in the nation, but the Texas schools are the best fit,” he said.

Most TCC students will transfer to UNT or UT-Arlington and will have no problems if they stay within TCC’s published core curriculum, Vela said.

Vela stressed that Texas A&M and UT-Austin are not as compatible with the TCC core, and it is the student’s responsibility to find out what the transfer requirements are.

If students need help, Vela and Baugh said they will “tailor make your degree plan.”

Baugh and Vela, both TCC graduates, said they are available to help students make degree planning and transferring as easy as possible.

Their offices are in the NE Campus Student Center.

Last Updated: 4/14/2004
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