Does having a degree help my chances of getting into a university?

Question

So my GPAs are 3.3 and 3.7, unweighted and weighted respectively. I've noticed Universities accept kids with very high GPAs and I don't understand how so many people can be so good at learning as I'm doing the best I can.

But I plan on going to a community college for at least the first two years and maybe for four (SPC has recently made a four-year program), and then transfer to a university.

But let's say my GPA stays around the same, and my SAT and ACT scores are above average but not perfect. Would the degree be a key factor in accepting me to their university? Would it show that I have proven myself worthy of some sort?

? · Accepted Answer

You don't need an associates degree to transfer to a 4 year university, and getting one doesn't particularly help or hurt your chances of admission.  Your grades, what classes you take, and how many units you earn are the most important factors, not the degree itself.  In many cases the AA/AS degree involves a lot of wasted time and money for classes that don't end up transferring.  But there are some AA degrees designed specifically for transferring to universities, and those can help keep you from taking unneeded classes.   A 3.3 GPA is below average for community college transfers students.  A 3.5 is more average.  The higher GPA you get, the better your chances.  The more units you take, then you'll earn enough not to need your HS transcripts and SAT/scores at all for transfer.

Dwight · Answer

As long as you meet their entry requirements, they usually don't mind. You'll be a transfer student.

Does having a degree help my chances of getting into a university?

2 Answers