This Week at ELI: February 17 - February 21

Smith, H. (2009, Dec. 23). Perks of Being a Wallflower [photograph]. Retrieved from 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37413173@N07/4219854546/lightbox/?q=perks+wallflower&l=cc&ct=0&mt=all&adv=1

Book and Cinema Club: Live Online Book Discussion

Tues, February 18, 7 pm - 9 pm

ELI Book and Cinema Club's Live Online Book Discussion of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." This event will be presented on Google Hangouts.

Click here to RSVP.

Ask the Transfer Representative!

Thu, February 20, 12 pm – 6 pm

Transfer applications for many institutions are due by March 1st. You may have questions about your application or about transferring to a specific institution. If so, join us for a virtual “Ask the Transfer Representative Day” on February 20th from 12-6pm. You can address questions to transfer representatives from institutions including; George Mason University, Old Dominion University, American Public University, and University of Phoenix. 

Attendance for the entire event is not necessary; join us anytime between 12 and 6. Please contact Kim Burkle, ELI Counselor, with any questions at kburkle@nvcc.edu or 703.323.3712.

You can participate in this virtual meeting from any computer with Internet access. You will need speakers or headphones to hear, and a microphone would be helpful but not required as you can use the text chat feature for questions. You will need the ability to run JAVA to load Blackboard Collaborate, the web conferencing tool we use for the virtual session. 

Click here to register.

Transfer Planning

Are you planning to graduate from NOVA this spring? Do you intend to transfer to a four-year institution in the fall? Did you know that most transfer applications are due by March 1 or April 1? 

If you have questions about transfer planning, please join us this Thursday, 2/13 from 12:15 – 1:15 for a Transfer Planning webinar. This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer planning; information about Guaranteed Admission Agreements, Articulation Agreements, and Transfer Guides; and a web tour of NOVA’s transfer website. Register here.

More specifically, do you plan to apply to George Mason University, Old Dominion University, American Public University, or University of Phoenix? If so and you have questions, stop by the virtual “Ask the Transfer Representative Day” on February 20^th between 12 and 6 pm. You can address questions to transfer representatives from these four institutions. Register here.

You can also contact the ELI Counselor, Kim Burkle with transfer questions at kburkle@nvcc.edu or 703.323.3712.

What is the difference between a Guaranteed Admission and Articulation Agreement?

Guaranteed Admissions Agreements mean as a NOVA student, you are offered Guaranteed Admissions to a variety of four-year colleges and universities when you meet the requirements of the written Agreement between NOVA and that college. These Agreements guarantee admission to a college or university; but most do not guarantee admission to a specific program.

NOVA and the VCCS also have special articulation agreements with several four-year colleges and universities. These articulation agreements define the way courses, programs or entire categories of programs transfer to another institution and may include admission guarantees.

In order to be considered for guaranteed admission, a student must:

·       Complete a transfer degree (A.A. or A.S.)

·       Meet the minimum G.P.A. requirement

·       Obtain a “C” or better in all applicable courses for their degree

·       Take a minimum number of credits at NOVA (can be up to 15 credits)

·       Some institutions require specific courses

·       Complete a letter of intent, if needed

You can view the list of GAAs and AAs via NOVA’s transfer webpage. It is important to read the agreements carefully, so you know what specific requirements you will need to meet. NOVA also has developed a great webpage that is all about Guaranteed Admission Agreements! Check out the four-minute video.

The ELife Blog Team would like to thank ELI Counselor/Instructor, Kim Burkle, for her time and effort creating this informational blog.   Want more information on transfer planning? Plan to attend our webinar, facilitated by Kim Burkle, on Transfer Planning.  For dates and information, please click here and scroll down to ‘Transfer Planning’.  

Looking to Transfer?

Annandale Campus Transfer Fair Knowledge is Power...the World is Waiting
When		Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Gymnasium, Richard Ernst Cultural Center (CE Building)
How		The College Transfer Fair brings colleges and universities from throughout the region, to YOU! Gather information and talk to representatives from over 80 4-year schools! Let NOVA help you find out how you can transfer to the college or university of your dreams! For more info or to check out what schools will be attending the fair, go to www.nvcc.edu/annandale/transferfair/
Other NOVA College Transfer Fairs
Alexandria Campus
When		Thursday, October 13, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Bisdorf Building (3rd and 4th Floor – Phase III)
Manassas Campus
When		Monday, September 26, 2011
Time		12:00pm-1:30pm
Where		Howsmon Hall (MH Building), Counseling Center and Cafeteria
Woodbridge Campus
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Seefeldt Building, 1st Floor Atrium
Local College Transfer Fairs
Washington Convention Center – National College Fair
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		9:00am-1:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where		Hall C - 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW Washington, DC 20001 Visit the website for additional information
ALCANZA Fair – Latino Students from VA/MD/DC
When		Friday, October 14, 2011
Time		11:00am-12:30pm
Where		Patriot Center – George Mason University Visit the website for additional information
Fair Oak Mall College Fair
When		Sunday, October 16, 2011
Time		7:30pm-9:30pm
Where		Fair Oaks Mall Visit the website for additional information
College Night
When		Monday, October 17, 2011
Time		7:00pm-9:00pm
Where		Hayfield Secondary School Visit the website for additional information
TC Williams High School College Fair
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		7:00pm-9:00pm
Where		TC Williams High School
Questions?  Check out www.nvcc.edu/annandale/transfer/


Workshop: Tackling the Admissions Essay

Are you getting ready to transfer? Have you started the process of completing your applications yet? How about that admissions essay? If you want to know to find out what makes a good admissions essay and where to get writing assistance then consider making time to attend this workshop this week at Annandale:

Tackling the Admissions Application Essay

Thursday, Nov. 4, 12-1pm

Annandale – CM Building, Room 327

College Transfer Fair at Woodbridge

NOVA's Woodbridge campus is hosting a College Transfer Fair next Wednesday, October 20. Representatives from a variety of colleges and universities throughout Virginia, D.C., and Maryland will be on site to answer your transfer questions. If you're interested in transferring to UVA, an admissions rep is available to meet with prospective students from 10am-3pm. Contact Douglas Rhoney to schedule an appointment or to find out what other colleges will be at the fair.

Did you know? Students who graduate from NOVA with an associate's degree and a minimum grade point average are guaranteed admission to a long list of colleges and universities, including George Mason, UVA and William and Mary. See the full list of schools and their detailed agreements here. Check the NOVA Events Calendar often to find out about upcoming transfer events at a campus near you.

Can't make it to campus? No problem! Our counselors at ELI can work with you by phone or email to help you plan a successful transfer and tell you more about transfer options too. Contact the ELI Counselors to arrange a virtual appointment today.

Capella University Transfer Visit

Are you looking to transfer to an online institution after completing a NOVA degree or certificate program through ELI? A representative from Capella University will be at the Annandale Campus, Thurs. Sept. 29 from 10am - 2pm to answer your admissions questions (event details). For more details about transferring to Capella, refer to the Transfer Guide and the NOVA-Capella Articulation Agreement (pdf).

Transfer Tip #9: Attend orientation

Here's ELIfe's weekly transfer tip from Dr. Glenn DuBois:

Attend orientation. You might think that you do not need this because you already are a college student. But navigating the university is different. Take advantage of the opportunities that the universities have created for transfer students. These orientations will help ease the transfer process. (Source)

The purpose of orientation is to integrate you into the campus community - both academically and socially. Whether you transfer to an online or on-campus program, orientation gives you an opportunity to learn about services, understand the process of credit evaluations, meet with advisers from your intended major or field of study, obtain an ID card and parking permit, learn how to use the student information systems and schedule classes.

If you choose not to attend Transfer Orientation it will be your responsibility to contact your respective academic departments for times and dates that academic advisers are available and take care of other campus business on your own. Attending orientation helps you ensure a positive start at your new college and university with confidence in your new surroundings with other people in the same boat as you. This way, when classes start, you can truly focus on your course work.

Transfer Tip #8: Make them show you the money

Here's ELIfe's weekly transfer tip from Dr. Glenn DuBois:

Make them show you the money. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you have not done so already. Call the university admissions office to see if it has scholarships set aside for transfer students—many institutions do. Make sure that you meet all of the deadlines for financial aid. Otherwise, you might miss out on assistance that is available to you. (Source)

One of the biggest considerations involved in choosing a transfer school is cost. Here are some helpful resources for arranging financial aid:

• First, if you are a Virginia resident you may be eligible for Virginia's Two Year College Transfer Grant. Learn more about eligibility and awards here from VAWizard. 
• Also, the Federal Student Aid website or Student Aid on the Web provides excellent guides to walk you through the financial aid process (see especially Understanding Grants and Loans). For text based instructions on completing your FAFSA, go here. If you're more of an audio/visual learner, go here. 
• Finally, try the scholarship search and financial aid calendar and find more articles about paying for college at Collegeboard.com.

And here's a tip to share with your friends (from Student Aid on the Web): 

The official FAFSA is at www.fafsa.gov - not at a .com Web site. If you go to a .com site, you will probably be asked to pay to submit the FAFSA. Remember, the first F in "FAFSA" stands for "Free" - so use the official government site to submit your application.

Don't forget to check with your transfer school's admissions office for more scholarship opportunities.

New UMUC Transfer Agreement

NOVA and The University of Maryland University College have recently signed an alliance agreement. UMUC will accept several of NOVA’s degrees such as the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Science in Business Administration, and the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, Administration of Justice, Business Management and their specializations. You can read about the agreement on NOVA’s transfer page. You can also visit UMUC’s transfer website to get more information on applying to the university.

Transfer Tip #7: Get admitted

Happy Friday! Here's ELife's weekly transfer tip from Dr. Glenn DuBois:

Get admitted. Make sure that you apply to both the institution as well as the program that you want to attend at that institution. If you get admitted to the university, it often does not mean that you are admitted to the specific program that you want to study, like engineering or nursing. Make sure you complete those application materials, too. The deadlines for the university admissions materials and the program admissions materials might be different. Do your research! (Source)

Keep in mind that some bachelor degree programs will not require a separate application.  Be sure to confirm whether or not any additional forms or documents are required for admission into your program of interest. See Transfer Admissions Info for popular institutions that have transfer resources available online.

Also, remember to apply in a timely manner. Some institutions will accept applications on a rolling admissions schedule but to be considered for certain programs with limited space you must follow admissions deadlines. To help you plan a timely, successful transfer see this guide from NOVA's Transfer web site. Also, check out this Transfer Timeline from Collegeboard.com.

Below are upcoming Transfer Events for the month of April. See the full calendar of Transfer Events here.

Monday, April 12
Art Institute of Washington
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Atrium, Seefeldt Building, Woodbridge Campus

Tuesday, April 13
Marymount University - Onsite admissions review
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (*by appointment only)
Transfer Resource Center, CM 327, Annandale Campus

University of Virginia Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Room 315, Howsman Hall, Manassas Campus

Wednesday, April 14
Park University
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Atrium, Seefeldt Building, Woodbridge Campus

Tuesday, April 20
University of Virginia Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Individual afternoon & evening appointments made by email to bblack@virginia.edu.

Wednesday, April 21
Old Dominion University
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Atrium, Seefeldt Building, Woodbridge Campus

Tuesday, April 27
University of Virginia Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Provost's Small Conference Room, CG 202A, Annandale Campus

Thursday, April 29
Art Institute of Washington
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cafeteria, Seefeldt Building, Woodbridge Campus

Update: NOVA has just signed a new agreement with UMUC. More details soon!

Are you following a transfer plan? We want to hear from you. Share your tips, tools and questions by posting a comment.

Transfer Tip #6: Choose a major

Here's ELife's weekly transfer tip from Dr. Glenn DuBois

Choose a major. Pick your major early, and seek advice about the best courses to take to meet requirements. By choosing your major early, you can take the prerequisites that you need for that program at the university. Well-planned course taking will help you finish your transfer program more efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run. (Source)

NOVA’s Career Services website allows you to research majors and guides you to resources that will help you decide the best path. You can explore career fields and find out the education needed for specific jobs. Also, take a look at the Explore a Career Cluster feature on Virginia Career View.

And remember, the Virginia Wizard is a great one-stop resource. This tool can help you choose a career, get the information you need to pursue your career, find the college that is right for you, pay for college, transfer from a community college to a university, and get answers to your questions about your future. Check it out: https://www.vawizard.org/vccs/Main.action.

Note: Applied degree programs (AAA and AAS) are not designed to transfer, although in special cases graduates of applied programs may be able to transfer.

Transfer Tip #5: Don't be shy...

Prior transfer tips identified many resources to help you identify possible transfer options. Transfer Tip #5 encourages you to get out and make connections.

Don't be shy. Meet regularly with advisers at the community college. Keep your adviser informed of your transfer plans, and as transfer approaches, set a time to meet with an adviser at your target institution. If you try to navigate this process without the help of advisers, you might not be able to maximize your community college courses. (Source)

NOVA transfer counselors and advisers are an invaluable resource for navigating the transfer process. They can keep you informed of new programs, schools and transfer strategies and keep you focused towards your goals. If you haven't been assigned an adviser, contact ELI counselors who can refer you to the appropriate department on campus. Be sure to have your Program Advising Sheet handy when working with counselors and/or advisers.

Here are some more tips:

• Attend Transfer Events: Admissions reps present at these events can connect you with advisers at your target institution.
• Know College Terminology: It always helps to know these terms when speaking to advisers/counselors.
• Read NOVA's Transfer Blog: The tips shared here will keep you in the know.
• See Profiles of Successful Transfer Students: Understanding the process from a fellow students' perspective can be informative and motivating. If they can do it, so can you!

Transfer Tip #4: Know what transfers

We took a week off from Transfer Tips for Spring Break, but we're back this week with tip #4:

Know what actually transfers. Make sure you are picking courses that are transferable to colleges and universities. There are Web sites, tools, and advisers at both community colleges and universities to help you choose wisely.

Star Tip. Many states have "articulation agreements"—negotiated documents that make clear what's needed to transfer from one higher education institution to another. The benefit to you as a student is that the agreement takes the guesswork out of the process by telling you, in black and white, what classes you need to take and what grades you need to make to avoid losing hard-earned credits when you transfer. (Source)

In addition to NOVA's articulation and transfer agreements introduced in Transfer Tip #3, many public and private colleges and universities in Virginia and surrounding areas publish transfer admission information to help you determine appropriate transfer procedures and transfer course equivalencies. Refer to Transfer Admissions Information for links to institutions that have transfer resources available online.

If you plan to transfer to GMU, NOVA has a special transfer website to make this easier for you based on the program you want to pursue.

Remember, Summer 2010 registration begins March 30. Now is a great time for you to establish a transfer plan and begin selecting transferable courses. Contact an ELI counselor today and get your transfer plan under way!

Transfer Tip #3: Plan ahead

Here's ELife's weekly transfer tip from Dr. Glenn DuBois:

Plan ahead. The earlier you begin to prepare for transfer, the better. Visit your top choices, collect transfer materials, and find out if there are any transfer agreements between where you are and where you want to go. The more information that you have, the easier it will be to make a decision. (Source)

NOVA’s transfer website provides an excellent semester-by-semester guide for successful transfer planning.

Also see:

• Transfer Guides: A list of available college websites and their transfer guides for popular colleges and universities that NOVA students are often interested are available here. Transfer guides indicate how these institutions accept NOVA courses.
• Articulation Agreements: NOVA and the VCCS have special agreements with several four-year colleges and universities. These agreements define the way courses, programs or entire categories of programs transfer to another institution. Check out the list of schools and their agreements here.
• Guaranteed Admissions: As a NOVA student, you are offered guaranteed admissions to more than 20 Virginia colleges and universities when you meet the requirements of the agreement between NOVA and that college. To view the full list of colleges and universities and their guaranteed admissions agreements, visit here.

For a one-stop resource, use the VA Education Wizard to plan out, track and prompt you of the necessary steps to an easy transfer.

Transfer Tip #2: Shop around

Shop around. Examine all of the options available to you as a transfer student. Examine both public and private four-year institutions to decide what will be the best fit for you. The four-year institution that you had your heart set on in high school might not ultimately be the best choice for the subject you want to pursue. (Source)

Completing your education is a big investment in your future so it’s important to educate yourself and do your research. To start with, think about what you want to gain from your college experience and the type of environment where you perform your best. Other important considerations include, school size, location, cost, academic programs, retention and graduation rates. Collegeboard.com has some excellent articles to guide you and several college search tools to help you narrow down and organize your options.

While you can find some useful information by browsing college websites (see Ten Tips for Searching College Web Sites here), transfer events provide an even better opportunity to get in-depth, first-hand knowledge about the colleges that really interest you. NOVA offers many free transfer events throughout the academic year, including college fairs, bus trips and visits by representatives of senior institutions. These events allow you to speak to on-site admisssions reps and ask important questions about the transfer process, special programs offered, and whatever else you want to know. To make sure you get the most out of transfer events, see tips for how to prepare for college fairs here and a checklist for college visits here.

Speaking of transfer events, the Adult Transfer Fair is coming up! If you’re in the area, why not stop by and check it out?

Adult Transfer Fair

Interested in continuing your education after NOVA and need a school which has programs that are delivered in a way that fits in with your other responsibilities? Then mark your calendar and plan to attend the Adult Transfer Fair! This event is sponsored by the Annandale Campus and the Extended Learning Instiutute and open to all students.

Adult Transfer Fair:

• When: Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 5:30-7:30pm
• Where: CE Building, Forum Room, Annandale Campus
• How: Just drop by! Light Refreshments will be served!

This Transfer Fair is one that focuses on the needs of the many non-traditional, adult students who attend NOVA and who desire to continue their education. We invite colleges and universities who provide not only traditional track curriculum, but also programs which are delivered in more flexible and non-traditional methods and which support the theme of “Work, Live, Learn”, which embodies the lives of the adult student.

The following colleges will be represented:
Argosy University
Capella University
The Catholic University of America – Metropolitan College
DeVry University
George Mason University
George Washington University, College of Professional Studies
Troy University
Nyack College
Park University
Regent University
University of Maryland – University College
University of Virginia – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
…and possibly more!

Transfer Tip #1: Complete your associate's degree

In Professors' Guide, a U.S. News and World Report education blog, Dr. Glenn DuBois shares ten transfer tips for community college students. Each week we’ll highlight one tip and provide resources to help you ensure a successful transfer from NOVA to your next destination. Stay tuned to ELife so you don’t miss out on this helpful advice!

Complete your associate's degree. National research shows that community college students who finish their degree program complete the baccalaureate at a much higher rate than those students who transfer with simply a grab bag of credits. (Source)

Many students are unsure about their ultimate goals when beginning college. Enrolling in a specific degree program (even one as generic as General Studies) will ensure you fulfill core requirements while you contemplate your long-term goals and options for getting there.

• To identify programs offered at NOVA, browse the General Curriculum Programs section of the College Catalog, which lists the required courses for each degree and offers a recommended sequence.
• Once you’ve decided on a degree program, contact an ELI counselor to be officially placed in a program. Then, download the appropriate Program Advising Sheet and use it as a basic checklist for choosing your courses.
• Finally, track your progress and run your Degree Progress Report each semester to determine which courses you still need to complete your program. See instructions for running your Degree Progress Report in NovaConnect here.

When in doubt, NOVA counselors are available to guide you. As a distance learning student, you can e-mail ELI counselors at any time with your questions.

Transferring to George Mason University

Many NOVA students plan to transfer to George Mason University after they have completed their coursework at NOVA. Did you know that NOVA has a website specifically dedicated to giving you information about transferring to George Mason? It always pays to plan ahead. Check out the site and see what you need to know as you plan the next steps in your college education.

New NOVA Transfer Blog

If you're planning to transfer to a four-year college after NOVA, you might want to follow NOVA's new transfer blog. It will be a place to hear from other students with plans just like yours, to get important updates about transfer policies and procedures, find links to useful information to help you transfer smoothly, and to ask questions about transfer. Just don't forget to read the ELI blog first! :)