Do I have to have an AA to transfer?

It’s not always necessary to complete an AA before you go, although completion of an Associates degree can be helpful if:

1. Your overall GPA is less than a 2.5 – MOST Maryland public schools will accept students who have completed either an AA or 56 credits if their overall GPA is a 2.0 or higher.
   
   See the Maryland HigherEducation Commission’s Guide to Transfer or ask a counselor. Of course, your chances of surviving at the next school are better with a higher GPA, aim high. Here is the Maryland State Transfer Policy.
   
2. Your native language is not English – UMCP requests that students whose native language is not English either submit TOEFL scores or complete an AA degree to demonstrate their proficiency of English.
   
3. You want to transfer with junior status – it’s economical to earn as many credits as you can before you go, as long as the courses you’re taking fit your major at your four-year destination. Why not wrap those 60 credits into an AA degree along the way? Remember that the key to course transferability is getting advised each semester for help in choosing courses. Just presenting a completed AA degree does NOT mean that all courses taken will transfer to a four-year school. Check to see how close you are to earning an AA degree here.

Do I stand a better chance of getting in to a competitive major if I apply as “Undecided’?

Probably not, especially if the University of Maryland, College Park is your destination. See an MC counselor to discuss this.