Frequently Asked Questions:
Advising

This section includes quick answers to some of the most commonly encountered questions about advising.

To find answers to other frequently asked questions, choose another category:
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Advising

1. How do I transfer my college credits to Seattle Central?
2. I want to complete a bachelor's degree. What classes should I take at Seattle Central?
3. I want to complete a bachelor's Degree but I'm not sure what major I want to study. Am I wasting my time and money studying at a community college?
4. I already have a Bachelor's degree from my country. What kind of programs can Seattle Central Community College offer me?
5. I want to go to graduate school. What should I study at Seattle Central Community College?
6. What happens at New Student Orientation?
7. What kind of assistance is available to students who want to transfer to a 4-year college or university?
8. Which schools in the United States will accept the credit I earn at Seattle Central?
9. Can I transfer my credit from Seattle Central to a university or college in my home country?
10. How can I find out about transferring to 4-year colleges and universities after I finish my AA degree?

Advising

1. How do I transfer my college credits to Seattle Central?

If you wish to transfer college credits, official transcripts of all post-secondary level work must be submitted as original documents which carry the seal of the institution and an official's signature, or a copy of the original transcript notarized by the institution. Transcripts should be in the native language and in English. Whether or not your credits will transfer depends on where you took the courses and which degree at Seattle Central you are planning to complete. If you would like a preliminary evaluation of your transcripts, please check the box on Page 2 of the application form which says "Mark here if you would like your college/university transcripts evaluated for transfer credit" and submit official transcripts with your application.

2. I want to complete a bachelor's degree. What classes should I take at Seattle Central?

Seattle Central, like most community colleges in the United States, offers a College Transfer program as well as Workforce Education Programs. Workforce Education Programs are generally 1-2 years long and prepare students with knowledge and skills for employment. In many cases, workforce education programs will not transfer to a university. The College Transfer program is designed to be the same as the first 2 years of a bachelor's Degree at a four-year college or university. Students complete general education requirements at the community college during the first 2 years of a bachelor's degree. They then transfer to a university and take primarily classes in their major during the 3rd and 4th year. At Seattle Central, students can either enroll in an Associate of Arts degree (for majors in fields such as Art, Language, Music, Psychology, Business, etc. ) or an Associate of Science degree (Engineering, Computing, Health Sciences, etc.).

3. I want to complete a bachelor's Degree but I'm not sure what major I want to study. Am I wasting my time and money studying at a community college?

If you have not decided your major yet, do not worry: you are not alone. Many students explore their interests during the first one or two years of college before choosing their major. In American higher education, the general education classes during the first 2 years help you do this! Seattle Central has many services to help you plan your education and career, including personal, academic and career counseling, career testing and assessment, advising, a Career Center, and a College Transfer Center.

4. I already have a Bachelor's degree from my country. What kind of programs can Seattle Central Community College offer me?

Seattle Central has many options for students with bachelor's degrees, depending on their educational goals. Those students who wish to focus on improving their English language skills can apply to the Intensive English Program(link) or the College Bridge Program(link). Other applicants more interested in college study and with higher English skills might consider the International Internship Program or one of the Short-Term Certificate programs.

Students who already have a bachelor's degree generally do not need an AA or AS degree to study at a university. If you are planning to pursue a second bachelor's degree, it is important to note that many universities and 4-year colleges may not consider you as a transfer applicant, but as a post-baccalaureat applicant (i.e., applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree). For some schools, including the University of Washington, it may be much more difficult to be admitted as a post-baccalaureat candidate.

Preparation for graduate school is also a possibility (please see the following question).

5. I want to go to graduate school. What should I study at Seattle Central Community College?

Although Seattle Central does not offer graduate programs (these are offered only by 4-year colleges and universities), many international students start at Seattle Central before going to graduate school. Most are trying to improve their English skills, and so enroll for the Intensive English(link) and College Bridge programs(link) (these are the most suitable for potential graduate school candidates). Other students choose to take special courses to improve their knowledge before they enroll for graduate school, or they enroll for a workforce education program related to their future field of study.

A common misconception is that students must have a bachelor's degree in their field of study in order to enter a graduate program in that same field (for example, students who wish to complete an MBA must have a degree in Business). This is not necessarily true. In the United States, many students take a graduate program that is very different from the field of study they chose for their bachelor's Degree: students who studied Psychology take MBA programs; students with Engineering degrees study a MA in Psychology. It is very important for students to meet with the counselor or advisor at the university they plan to attend to find out what preparation is necessary before they apply for graduate school. There may be many basic courses that students could take at Seattle Central before they study in graduate school at a university.

6. What happens at New Student Orientation?

The orientation is an extremely valuable part of becoming a successful student at Seattle Central. The orientation provides an overview of American higher education and vital Seattle Central policies and procedures, academic advising, immigration regulations, health and safety issues, information about cultural adjustment, and campus and community resources available to international students to ensure their success. You will also receive the Orientation Handbook at the session which contains information vital to your life as an international student at Seattle Central.

All new students should plan to attend orientation before their first quarter of attendance.
New college programstudents are required to attend orientation (make-up orientations will be offered for those students who cannot attend the scheduled orientation). The orientation for new college program students normally takes place approximately 2 weeks before the first day of each quarter. The orientation for the Institute of English takes place 1 week before the first day of each quarter. Official orientation schedules are sent out with acceptance materials.

7. What kind of assistance is available to students who want to transfer to a 4-year college or university?

Seattle Central has a professional staff of counselors and advisors to assist students pursuing an AA or AS degree in transfering to a 4-year college or university. The College Transfer Advising Center(link) offers transfer workshops, invites representatives from 4-year institutions to meet with Seattle Central students, and maintains a resource library of transfer information. The IEP office also has a student counselor who assists students in preparing to transfer after completing their transfer degree.

8. Which schools in the United States will accept the credit I earn at Seattle Central?

Since Seattle Central is a regionally accredited institution in the United States, credit earned at Seattle Central is transferable to almost any college or university in the United States. To see a list of universities and colleges where students have transferred, click here well known Universities(link).

Please note: regardless of accreditation, it is the choice of the receiving institution as to which courses and how many credits will transfer from Seattle Central. Students should consult with the university or college they plan to transfer to for information on which courses are acceptable for their program of study.

9. Can I transfer my credit from Seattle Central to a university or college in my home country?

This is a difficult question to answer. It may be possible for credit to transfer from Seattle Central to a university or college outside of the United States. In the past, students have transferred credit to institutions in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and Germany, but there is no guarantee that courses taken here will be accepted at a non-American university. Students should contact the institution they wish to attend directly to find out if credit from Seattle Central will transfer there.

10. How can I find out about transferring to 4-year colleges and universities after I finish my AA degree?

Seattle Central has counselors and advisors ready to assist students in preparing an academic plan to earn their 4-year degree. The College Transfer Advising Center has an information library that deals specifically with offering transfer information for universities and colleges in the United States to Seattle Central students.