Area universities work to ease transfer
by Tiffany Hatfield, Reporter

   Last fall, 800 Tarrant County College students transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington.
   Thus, TCC is the biggest source of transfer students for UTA.
   Many TCC students work hard to achieve their goal of earning credits for transfer to a four-year college.
   While most work toward a transfer to UTA, many choose to move on to the University of North Texas or Texas Christian University.
   "I am working on my basic classes right now to earn credit to transfer to UNT," Alicia Orta, NW Campus sophomore, said. "I am majoring in psychology, and North Texas has the best psychology program in the area."
   After graduation, Orta hopes to work for the TCC district.
   In support of students who are earning credit for transfer, UTA and TCC signed an agreement earlier this semester to ease the transferring process for TCC students.
   The two colleges will identify students who might be candidates for transfer. The loss of credits during the transfer process is another concern addressed in the plan.
   Fear of lost credits is on the mind of most transferring students when they enroll for classes at TCC.
   "I am very careful when I register for classes," Orta said.
   "I make sure to check the transfer guide for UNT before I register for anything. I don't want to waste time taking a class that will not transfer," she said.
   UTA's, UNT's and TCU's Web sites have transfer equivalency guide links. All students who hope to transfer to any four-year college should check these guides before registering for classes at TCC.
   Financial assistance weighs on some decisions.
   KC Jones, former TCC student, said students should not forget the extracurricular activities.
   "Universities look for students with a variety of experiences and talents. They look for activities that show leadership and compassion toward the community as well as good grades," she said.
   "They want to invest in a student who is going to make something of their education," she said.
   Counselors and advisers are available on all four TCC campuses to answer any questions and help students make decisions regarding the transfer process.