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FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Check out college opportunities in New Hampshire

A college degree can help you get ahead in life and find a satisfying job, but what if you're not ready yet to dive right into full-time classes at a four-year college or university? Or maybe you're considering a two-year community college?

Chart your own college path

If you're thinking about college but are unsure of the path you want to take, you have lots of options when taking college courses in New Hampshire and working toward a degree. You can take individual courses or earn a two-year associate degree at one college while you build your confidence and explore a field of study.

Then, you can transfer your credits to another college to continue taking courses or to work toward a four-year bachelor's degree. Some students take more than the traditional two years to earn an associate degree and others take more than four years to earn a bachelor's degree.

Flexible credit transfer options

Colleges in the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) give you the flexibility of beginning your education at one college and transferring credits to another. CCSNH offers associate degrees, while USNH offers some associate degrees and many bachelor's degrees, in addition to master's and doctoral degrees. Check out these websites to see all the degree and course options available.

Academic performance counts

Just as doing well in high school is important to being admitted to college, doing well in college is important to transferring your credits to another college. A course grade of a "C" or higher is required for credit transfer. Only credits are transferred, not your grade point average (GPA).

Benefits of knowing that you can transfer your credits between colleges

• Build your skills
  If you are unsure of your academic skills, taking a few classes can help you feel comfortable while you build your skills and confidence.
• Explore careers
  Try a variety of courses to help you discover and clarify your career interests.
• Save money
  Taking individual classes part time allows you to pay "by the credit" so it's a less expensive way to start. Classes at the NH Community Colleges are less expensive than those at four-year colleges, so you can take a number of your required general education courses at a lower cost. Of course, if you are a NH-resident student, you'll get the lowest cost option at any public two- or four-year college you select.
• Stay close to home
  Living at home gives you extra time to get ready to live on your own and can save money on room and board.

Ways to earn a college degree

How to plan for college

• Make an appointment with your guidance counselor
  Talk to your guidance counselor about your career interests and ask about options for further education. Inquire about transfer options in working toward a two-year or four-year degree. Start soon so your counselor gets to know you.
• Talk with your parents
  Discuss your interest in college, individual colleges, transfer options and your family's financial situation.
• Check out some colleges
  Go online to explore courses and degree options at various colleges. Call a college's admissions office to ask questions (about anything). Visit some colleges and talk with students and faculty about programs you're interested in.
• Plan ahead for transfer options
  If you think you might like to start your college career at a two-year CCSNH college and then eventually transfer to a four-year USNH college or university, you need to plan ahead. Some course credits and programs of study transfer between colleges easily because they have formal articulation agreements with each other to accept credits. Check out the Program Transfer Matrix for an overview of credits that transfer.
  Many general education course credits taken at one of the two-year colleges are accepted toward the four-year college's general education requirements. Other course credits transfer case by case. Only specific CCSNH math and English course credits are transferable to some USNH programs, so you need to consult an advisor and select appropriate courses. With a four-year degree, courses in your major usually need to be taken at the four-year college.
• Consider dual admission
  With some programs, you can apply to a CCSNH ollege for a specific two-year program at the same time that you apply to a USNH college to continue on toward a bachelor's' degree.
• Contact academic advisors
  As you identify colleges and courses that interest you, call each college's admissions office to speak with an academic advisor as soon as possible. Contact two-year colleges where you might start taking classes AND four-year colleges that you might eventually like to attend. Let the advisors know what your program interests are and that you are thinking about transferring at some point. They can advise you on the process and which classes you need to take at each college to complete your major.
• Explore financial aid options
  Don't assume that you don't qualify for scholarships, grants, work study or student loans. Ask your guidance counselor and check out each college's website for information on financial aid.

The more people you speak to about going to college, the better you'll understand your options, so you can make a decision that works best for you.