Transfer Glossary

Term	Definition
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.
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.
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.
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.