Transfer Glossary

Term	Definition
AA (Associate of Arts)	A two-year, 90 credit general education degree that prepares students for transfer to university bachelor's degree programs.
AAS (Associate of Applied Science)	A two-year associate’s degree designed to prepare students for careers in technical and vocational fields, focusing on practical, hands-on training in specific industries.
AAS-T (Associate of Applied Science- Transfer)	A two-year associate’s degree designed to prepare students for careers in technical and vocational fields, focusing on practical, hands-on training in specific industries. Includes college transfer levels of English and Math to better prepare students for career focused BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science) programs.
BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science)	A four-year bachelor’s degree focused on providing practical and technical skills in a specific field, for students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree. A BAS degree helps students gain both practical skills and the knowledge needed for more advanced jobs in their field.
DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement)	A Washington State transfer agreement, a DTA degree prepares students for transfer to all public universities and many private colleges in Washington State.
Education Plan	A quarter-by-quarter plan of the classes and steps to take to graduate with your degree and prepare for your future goals.
Final Official Transcript	An official transcript that shows all of a student’s completed coursework, grades, and degree after graduation. Usually required for transfer or for employment purposes. Order your final official transcript from RTC.
Financial Aid Award Letter	A document from a college that outlines the financial aid package a student is eligible for, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Can be used to compare financial aid packages and college costs between different colleges or universities.
Letter of Recommendation	A letter written by someone who knows the student, such as a teacher, employer, or mentor, that provides an assessment of the student's qualities, achievements, and potential. This may be required for some bachelor degree programs or universities.
Major	The main subject or area of study that a student focuses on for their bachelor’s degree. Students take most of their courses in their major and gain specialized knowledge and skills in that subject.
MRP (Major Related Program)	A transfer degree that prepares students for certain bachelor’s degree programs that require specific prerequisite courses in the first two years.
Official Transcript	A transcript sent directly from one school to another, either electronically or mailed in a sealed envelope. When an official transcript is emailed to a student, it is no longer official. When a sealed official transcript is opened by a student, it is no longer official. Order your final official transcript from RTC.
Personal Statement	A written essay where a student shares their goals, motivations, and personal background, typically required for applications to programs, scholarships, or colleges. Attend a Transfer Tuesday Personal Statement workshop to get started on your personal statement.
Prerequisite	A course or requirement that must be completed (often with a certain minimum grade) or a skill that must be demonstrated before a student can enroll in a more advanced course or apply to a certain major or degree program (for example, level 1 Spanish is a prerequisite for level 2 Spanish).
Unofficial Transcript	A transcript that provides an unofficial record of courses taken and grades earned, can be viewed & downloaded from ctcLink. Not considered official by colleges or employers.