• ‘Baylor Bound’ program offers more straightforward path for transfers

    Blinn College President Harold Nolte and Baylor President Ken Starr

    Baylor administrators take seriously the problems caused by the rising cost of higher education. President Ken Starr has been outspoken in noting that this cannot continue unchecked and unstoppable in working to raise more than $120 million for scholarships since his arrival. At the same time, Baylor Regents are steadily reducing tuition hikes; this past year’s raise was the smallest in over a decade.

    In yet another move aimed at providing access to a Baylor education for as many qualified students as possible, university leaders earlier this year announced plans to partner with 10 community colleges within the next five years, creating formal processes that allow students to more easily transfer to Baylor.

    The first three such programs — known as “Baylor Bound” — have now been announced. A partnership with McLennan Community College here in Waco began last fall, while similar programs will begin at Tyler Junior College and Blinn College in the fall of 2015.

    Students at any of the three schools can join the program before enrolling at the community college or while enrolled as a full-time student; Baylor’s admissions office will review applications, as it does for traditional undergraduate students. The idea is that students will generally take one year of core credit hours at MCC, Tyler or Blinn before seamlessly transferring to Baylor for their remaining three years. Participants can choose from 65 different majors that lead to BBA, BA, BSW and BS degrees.

    Advisors from Baylor and the student’s school of origin will work together to help students select courses that satisfy the program’s requirements and to educate students on scholarship opportunities available at Baylor.

    Sic ’em, Baylor Bound students!