About the Common App

The Common Application (the Common App) is an undergraduate application used by numerous colleges and universities across the country and around the world.  Students transferring out of Gateway may be required to apply to their destination institution using the Common App. Click on the Common App Training Resources or Knowledge Base for more information and an overview of the process.  Students have also found this external website helpful in answering various questions and defining terms.

Providing Recommendations for Student

An Academic Evaluator or Advisor is usually the department chair, or faculty/staff coordinator for your academic program, or another faculty member who has had significant experience with a student.  If a student has been working with an advisor in the Student Success Center, he or she may also be listed as a student's Academic Evaluator.

• The Common Application now requires students to submit all recommendation requests online.
• Recommenders will receive an email notification of the request. 
• The email notification will provide you with the option to complete the recommendation online, or to opt-out of the online recommendation process (for all future requests as well.)  
• If a faculty/staff member opts-out, the student must download a printable copy of the recommendation form.

• Students are recommended to speak with Evaluator/Advisors prior to sending an invite. 

Transcripts and One-Stop Reports

• One-Stop Reports are to be completed by the Dean of Student Affairs.
• Transcripts are sent directly from Gateway to your destination institution. Students may submit a Transcript Request through MyCommnet.

Meet with 4-year Colleges & Universities

PLAN YOUR TRANSFER - College & University Representatives are offering a variety of virtual options for you.  Schedule your one-on-one appointment or RSVP to attend an information session!

Prepare the following items for your appointment:

• Unofficial transcripts from every college you have attended
• Recent GCC degree evaluation to identify course you have taken and what courses remain to be completed
• A file with all course syllabi from courses you completed in case these documents are requested by your target school
• A list of questions for the College/University Representative

In State Colleges & Universities

Out of State Colleges & Universities

HCC Courses That Meet TAP Program Requirements

• AESX - Aesthetic Dimensions
• GEND - General Education I
• GENL - Additional General Education II
• HISX - Historical Knowledge and Understanding
• ORAX - Oral Communication
• QUAX - Quantitative Reasoning
• SCKX - Scientific Knowledge and Understanding
• SCRX - Scientific Reasoning
• SOCX - Social Phenomena I
• SOPX - Social Phenomena II
• WRIX - Written Communication II

Transfer Advising

The Student Success Center provides information and activities about transferring. To facilitate this process you must meet with a professional advisor who is experienced in options and resources available to you. To speak to an advisor, contact the Student Success Center.

In order to effectively manage your transfer, the following is recommended:

1. Meet with an advisor/program coordinator at least once per academic semester to make sure that you are fulfilling major requirements and enrolling in courses transferable to your selected college/university.
2. Attend an open house or visit the target university/college; visit the college's/university's website and housing options before applying for admission. Students can call the admissions office at the receiving college and schedule a campus tour.
3. Meet with admission representatives from the four‐year colleges/universities during their visit here on campus.
4. Participate in GCC's transfer seminars and college fairs (contact the Student Success Center for schedules).

Procedures for applying to a four-year college or university:

Once your admissions application and transcript are received by your university of choice, a credit evaluation process will take place in order to determine if you meet the college’s general education requirements, major and elective requirements. The receiving college will make a determination at their discretion of what courses are acceptable for transfer. Most universities require grades of "C‐" or better.

Fall admissions (planning to start in September): Apply in December or January.


Spring admissions (planning to start in January): Apply in August or September.

Students who want to apply for financial aid must file for FAFSA via the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students must file by the priority date of their chosen university/college.