Academic & Career Planning will assist newly admitted transfer students in arranging an advising appointment with the program coordinator for their intended major. Undecided students are advised by staff in Academic & Career Planning. In this meeting, the student will receive an overview of the major, discuss her history and goals, and plan the first semester classes. She will be ready to register after meeting with the program coordinator and payment of deposit. Sometime after meeting with the program coordinator, the student should also meet with the department head of the major (if different than the program coordinator) to formally declare the major, learn of her permanent faculty advisor assignment, and receive potential substitution credit for any major coursework completed elsewhere. Students may be required to repeat courses in the major that are over 10 years old.   

Understanding the Transfer Credit Evaluation
Upon admission, all students with transfer credit are provided with a preliminary transfer credit evaluation and course-by-course evaluation conducted by the Office of the Registrar. Since only the prior course credit transfers but not the grades, GPA starts fresh at Meredith. Be sure to forward Meredith the final transcript of any semester recently completed elsewhere, as well as any AP scores, if they are not reflected on your evaluation. A revised and updated transfer credit evaluation will then be completed. 

Registration
Once you have met with the program coordinator in your major (or with staff in Academic & Career Planning if undecided) and you have paid your deposit, you will be ready to register. Transfer students should meet with the Office of Financial Assistance early in the process to make sure their financial aid is in order. Students can use the online WebAdvisor program to register, or can turn in a signed registration card with desired classes to the Registrar’s office.  For instructions and FAQ on WebAdvisor, see the WebAdvisor FAQ on the Office of the Registrar’s page.

Declaring a Major
Since all new transfers enter as undeclared, you’ll need to declare your major(s) and any minor(s) using the forms from the Office of the Registrar. After meeting with your major program coordinator for advising, visit the department head to obtain his/her signature and be assigned a permanent faculty advisor. Turn the completed declaration form(s) into the Office of the Registrar, first floor Johnson Hall.   

English and Foreign Language Assessments
Meredith College maintains rigorous writing requirements. A transfer may be required to complete an English assessment to determine the need for developmental English coursework if no prior composition courses have been taken, or to determine placement if transfer courses are over 5 years old. Since Meredith has a foreign language general education requirement,
a transfer may be required to complete a Foreign Language placement test if she (A) took 2 or more years of language in high school (within the past five years), or (B) has college language credit over 5 years old. Students with recent transfer credit may enroll in the next course, and others should start with the introductory course.  English and foreign language assessments are offered during August and January orientations. Current transfers who missed placement tests during orientation should consult the department of Foreign Languages and Literatures to learn when placement testing may be offered during the year. Transfers are notified by Academic & Career Planning about the need to complete assessments. 

How Much Longer Until I Graduate?
This is a common—but not easy to answer—question that most transfer students have. It can be determined after prior general education credit is awarded on the transfer credit evaluation, any major course substitutions have been determined by the department head, and the student has an idea of major(s), minor(s), and/or potential teaching licensure. Then, a student can total the remaining courses together to obtain a general idea of credit hours left until graduation. The timeframe for completion also depends on how many classes the student is taking per semester (full or part-time, including summer enrollment), sequencing of required courses, and course availability by semester (e.g. if the course is offered every fall, spring and/or summer, or “every spring in odd years,” for example). Students are encouraged to print out a program evaluation in WebAdvisor which lists all courses left to complete. In conjunction with an undergraduate catalogue and a four-year planning grid, a transfer can plot out her time at Meredith College.  Of course, the advisor is a great resource and partner in the planning process.

Policies of Interest
A few graduation requirements are of particular interest to transfers, especially those entering as juniors or seniors. Note that of the 124 credit hours required for graduation, 60 of those must be completed at four-year institutions, including here at Meredith College.  All students are required to complete at least 31 credit hours towards their undergraduate degree in residence (at Meredith College), with 24 of the last 30 hours completed here as well.  At least half of any courses required for a major or minor at Meredith must be completed at Meredith College.

Role of Academic & Career Planning
We understand the process of transferring involves many steps, and we’re here to assist you along the way.  If you have any questions, contact Lisa Flint-Morris, Assistant Director for Adult and Transfer Advising at 919-760-8062, and we’ll help you get the information you need.