Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring to JMU
Transfer FAQs are separated into five groups: the transfer admission process, academic questions, questions about tuition and financial aid, what to do once you have been admitted, and questions for high school students taking dual enrollment courses.
The Transfer Admission Process
Where can I find information on the transfer admission process?
What do I need to qualify as a transfer admission applicant?
What do I need to do to be competitive?
- Competitive transfer applicants should have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and successfully completed college course work in all core subject areas: English, mathematics, social science and lab science.
- Priority consideration is given to associate degree completers or those with at least 48 college credits earned. JMU offers admission to a very small number of students who only have one year of college course work at their previous college.
- JMU considers transfer applicants' college courses, college GPA, high school program and high school grades. The more credit hours you have earned in college, the less emphasis is placed on your high school record.
What is your transfer acceptance rate?
What does it mean to be put on the waitlist for summer or fall?
Do you accept transfer students in the spring?
Will a D grade on my transcript hurt my chances for admission?
What are the core courses mentioned in the guaranteed admission agreement (GAA)?
I am in my first college-level math class and am applying for admission. Will that hurt me?
What is the guaranteed admission agreement (GAA)?
Do students who attend Blue Ridge Community College get preference over other community colleges?
I've attended 3 different colleges. Does admissions average the GPAs from all my schools?
Do all my application materials have to arrive at the same time?
I am a dual-enrolled or concurrently-enrolled high school student. Am I a transfer student?
Do I need to send ACT or SAT scores as part of my transfer application?
Do I need to send my AP or IB or Cambridge International Exam scores to Admissions?
Yes, especially if you have not taken a college course in a particular core area but have received AP/IB/CIE credit for it from your current college. JMU may have a different score requirement; acceptable scores for credit can be found in the current catalog.
I am a former JMU student who took a leave of absence. How do I return to JMU?
I am a JMU student who was on probation or suspended. How can I return to JMU?
JMU Academics
How do I know if or how my courses will transfer?
- The Transfer Credit Equivalency Guide contains courses by college/university which have been approved for transfer. You will need to create an account through Transferology to access the guide. Credit is accepted only for grades of C and higher; grades of C- and below do not transfer. Elective credit is designated by "000", e.g. ENG 000 indicates an English course that will count toward the total number of credits required for graduation from JMU.
- Credit is not given for elementary or accelerated/intensive foreign language courses if you have had two or more years of the same foreign language in middle and/or high school.
Is there a limit on how many credits transfer?
What is the minimum grade needed to transfer a course?
Is there an advantage to earning an associate degree at a Virginia community college?
There are several advantages to earning an approved transfer associate degree:
- JMU admissions gives associate degree completer priority in the admissions process.
- An approved transfer associate degree waives all general education requirements at JMU.
- Earning an approved transfer associate degree is one of the requirements for guaranteed admission to JMU.
Do all associate degrees transfer?
No, not all associate degrees are transferable. The degrees that do transfer are the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) and the Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.). View the complete list of transferable associate degrees. Please note that an associate degree in General Studies does not transfer from all community colleges.
The community colleges also offer applied degrees (Associate of Applied Arts/Science). These are known as "straight-to-work" degrees and are not designed to transfer to a 4 year college or university.
Can I be undeclared as a transfer student?
It is university policy that all matriculating transfer students and current JMU students must declare a major upon completion of 30 credit hours (this includes transfer credit hours from another institution). Therefore, it is very important that you research your major of interest and learn more about the discipline, any progression or admission standards, and course requirements. See major snapshots for all JMU's undergraduate majors. If you are still unsure, take a look at the Career Guide to JMU Majors for a more in-depth look at the major and career opportunities.
Students with fewer than 30 JMU approved transfer credits may choose Undeclared as their major upon entering JMU. The university has great resources for undecided students, including Career and Academic Planning where experienced advisors will assist you in choosing a major.
Can I be directly admitted to my major if I am admitted to JMU?
Does JMU take all my credits from my VCCS associate degree?
My previous college gave me credit for my AP scores. Will JMU take that credit off their transcript?
Tuition and Financial Aid
Current tuition rates are listed on the University Business Office’s web site.
Will JMU drop my classes if I don't pay tuition on time?
No, JMU does not drop for non-payment, however you may be assessed a late fee. There are tuition payment plans available.
Are there any scholarships for transfer students?
There are some – you’ll find information on the admissions web site.
I can use my financial aid at my current school to buy books - can I do that at JMU?
On my preliminary financial aid award, it says that I'm a freshman. How do I change that?
JMU needs your final transcript from your current school so they can apply your transfer credit and update your class standing. Once that has been done, you need to contact the Financial Aid Office and let them know your class standing has changed. Class standing affects the amount of federal student loan money you are allowed to borrow.
You're Admitted - Now What?
I have been admitted as a transfer student - now what?
The first thing to do is accept the offer by paying a $250 tuition deposit – that will hold your spot for the next semester. Once you do that, you will be prompted to change your password in MyMadison and then you can begin to complete the One Book steps on the orientation web site. Some of the steps must be completed before you can register for orientation.
Will I get an academic advisor? How do I find out who that is?
Yes – when you register for orientation, your advisor will be assigned. He/she/they will be listed in your Student Center in MyMadison.
Where do I find my credit evaluation?
I received my credit evaluation, but it is missing some courses. What should I do?
See the credit analyst in the office of the registrar if you have any questions about missing credit. Here are some common reasons for missing credit:
- Some credits may not be transferable (e.g. SDV 100 and ITE 115 do not transfer because JMU does not offer comparable courses).
- If the courses you took in your most recent semester are missing, make sure you have requested that a final transcript be sent with those grades.
- Did you get AP or IB credit from your previous college? AP/IB score requirements may be higher at JMU, e.g. you need at least a 4 on many AP tests to get JMU credit. You also must request that an official copy of your scores from The College Board or International Baccalaureate be sent to JMU.
- JMU cannot grant credit from test credits listed on your college transcript. JMU does not grant credit for CLEP exams.
- If you took the 101-102 (introductory) levels of a foreign language that you also studied for two or more years in high school, those courses will not transfer.*
*It is JMU’s policy that students who study a foreign language for two or more years in high school may not enroll in the introductory (101 or 102) level of the same language. This policy is applied to transfer students, however if there was a gap of several (3 or more) years between studying the language in high school and enrolling in it in college, this may be appealed. See the foreign language department head if this applies to you.
What does "000" mean on my credit evaluation?
It means general elective credit that counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
How do I appeal for transfer credit?
If you earned an approved transfer associate degree from a Virginia community college, be sure that you have requested a final official transcript with the degree listed. Once JMU receives it, your general education will be waived.
Since I have been admitted, do I really need to send my final transcript to JMU?
Yes, see above. Without your final transcript, your last semester’s courses can’t be transferred. In addition, if you earned an approved transfer associate degree from a Virginia community college, JMU needs your transcript with the degree recorded in order to waive general education.
Where do I send my final transcript?
It needs to go to the admissions office: Madison Hall MSC 0101, 100 East Grace Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. They will then forward it to the registrar’s office.
Why does it go to the admissions office?
Your admission is contingent upon successful completion of your coursework – your final transcript will verify that.
What if I don't do well in one of my classes? Will I not be admitted?
Admissions will handle that on a case-by-case basis. Someone will likely contact you to find out what happened if you earned a D or F in one or more of your classes.
Is there an orientation for new transfer students?
Do I have to attend transfer orientation?
It is highly recommended that you attend – you will learn about resources, meal plans, student organizations, financial aid, etc. You will also meet with your advisor and register for classes.
I am not able to attend, or I was admitted after transfer orientation - what do I do?
Summer and fall transfer students who do not attend orientation should select “unable to attend” on the orientation registration site. This will prompt the University Advising office to build a schedule for you. This is not an option for spring transfer students - you should contact your advisor ASAP for help choosing classes.
Do I have to take the math placement exam? What if I don't do well?
All new transfer students must take JMU’s math placement exam before they can register for orientation. If you finished all your math at your previous college, you will not be required to take more math if you don’t do well. However, it’s in your best interest to do your best in case you decide to change your major to one that requires more math.
How do I know if I need to test into a certain math course?
Yes, and you must test into calculus or you may be required to take a lower-level math course first.
I need calculus, but I didn't test into it. Can I take the test again?
In general, this is not allowed except in very specific cases. That’s why it’s important to do your best!
Do I have to take the foreign language placement exam?
Only if you want to take a course in a foreign language which you have studied previously, but don’t have transfer credit for.
Example #1: Jimmy took 4 years of Spanish in high school, but did not take any Spanish courses at Reynolds Community College and wants to take it at JMU – he should take the Spanish placement exam.
Example #2: JoAnn took SPA 101, 102 and 201 at Northern VA Community College and received transfer credit for all three at JMU. She can enroll in SPAN 232 (second semester intermediate) without taking the placement exam.
Example #3: Jenny studied Latin in high school, took no foreign language courses at her previous college, and would like to study Spanish at JMU. She can enroll in SPAN 101 and does not need to take the placement exam.
If you are not sure if you should take it or not, complete the foreign language placement exams questionnaire.
It depends on your major and degree. International affairs and international business majors need foreign language at the 300-level. If you are pursuing a B.A. degree, you must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the intermediate level. This can either be through credit (for FL 232 or higher), or through the foreign language placement exam. Read more about foreign language placement exams.
Students who transfer a few credits short of completing an approved transfer associate degree from a Virginia community college may elect to do a reverse transfer – you can take equivalent courses at JMU that will meet degree requirements at the community college and transfer them back to complete the associate degree. You will need to apply for graduation from your community college, and send JMU an official transcript once the degree is posted. JMU will then waive general education.
Why should I do a reverse transfer?
An approved associate degree from the VCCS waives all general education requirements at JMU. Without it, it’s possible you will need additional courses to meet our requirements. We have seen students who needed two or three courses to complete the associate degree, but as many as 15-18 credits to complete general education at JMU. In this case, doing the reverse transfer saves a student both time and money!
Transfer Questions for High School Students
I will graduate from high school with my associate degree. Do I apply as a transfer student?
No – you must apply as a freshman. A transfer student is a student who has completed a minimum of 24 credits after graduating from high school.
If I earn my associate degree in high school, do I still need to submit SAT or ACT scores?
No, standardized test scores are not required for applicants to JMU.
Can I be guaranteed admission if I earn an associate degree in high school?
No, freshmen are not eligible for guaranteed admission.
Will all my dual enrollment credits transfer?
JMU will grant credit for any transferable course, regardless of whether it was taken during or after high school.
Will my associate degree earned in high school waive general education?
Yes, as long as it is an approved transfer associate degree from a Virginia community college.
It’s confusing! Socially, we treat you as a freshman, meaning you apply and submit materials required of all freshman applicants, and you are required to live on campus. Academically, you are a junior and technically don’t need any general education.
So does that mean that I will graduate with my bachelor's degree in two years?
Not necessarily! You must earn 50% of your bachelor’s degree at a 4-year institution. An associate degree is completed at a 2 year college, so in general that means you need to complete at least 60 credits at JMU. The number of credits required for each major can vary widely – from 78 for a B.F.A. in studio art to 36 for a B.A. in English. In addition, some majors have admission requirements; for example, the admission process for nursing requires you to be at JMU for at least 3 years, and students who declare a major in the College of Business must complete 8 lower-level B.B.A. core classes before they can be fully admitted to the major. Because you had to use dual enrollment courses to meet high school graduation requirements, you likely did not have as much flexibility in choosing courses for a particular major at a 4 year institution and that may result in you spending more time at JMU.
How does being a freshman with an associate degree affect me at orientation?