MCC Start Program
The MCC Start Program is an invite-only program in partnership with McLennan Community College (MCC) created specifically for students who we believe will thrive at Baylor with just a little more time to strengthen their academic foundation. This pathway is your direct route to becoming a Baylor Bear!
At McLennan Community College, you’ll take Baylor-transferable courses—many with flexible online or in-person options—while saving money and getting connected in the Waco community. By meeting the academic and conduct expectations of the MCC Start Program, you’ll be eligible to transition to Baylor as a member of the transfer class.
Through this experience, you will join a dedicated cohort of peers, enjoy individualized support, and form friendships that you will carry with you when you transition to Baylor.
Our partnership with MCC reflects Baylor’s long-standing commitment to preparing students for lifelong success. This program keeps you fully on track to graduate from Baylor on time.
Pre-Admission
Visit our website to meet your counselor and get the help you need as you move through the process.
Baylor receives more than 50,000 freshman applications each year for a limited number of spaces. Because of this competitiveness, many strong applicants are not able to enroll at Baylor immediately.
While we are not able to offer you a place in the Fall 2026 freshman class at this time, the Admissions Committee is excited to offer you a different path to Baylor — an invitation to join the MCC Start Program.
The MCC Start Program is a supportive, invite-only pathway in partnership with McLennan Community College (MCC) created specifically for students who we believe will thrive at Baylor with just a little more time to strengthen their academic foundation. This pathway is your direct route to becoming a Baylor Bear!
If you have any questions, please contact your Admissions Counselor.
Yes! If you complete the minimum required hours for your program with at least a 2.75 GPA, you will have a spot at Baylor.
Post-Baylor Offer
Once you receive an offer from Baylor to participate in the program, you will be directed to submit a short, free application with MCC to start the process with MCC directly.
MCC will share information directly with Baylor to ensure consistency.
Baylor University accepts transfer students from all community colleges and universities in-state, national, and internationally. However, this program is a partnership with McLennan Community College only.
Yes! Students in this program will take specific coursework designed to transfer into their desired degree plan. If you change majors while at MCC, the credits taken may not fit into your new degree plan.
Each student attending the MCC Start Program will work closely with a designated Baylor and MCC academic advisor to ensure they stay on track at MCC and have a smooth transition to Baylor once all requirements have been met.
Depending on your offer from Baylor, you will be required to complete either 1 or 2 semesters at MCC. The offer is based on your initial Baylor application and cannot be changed.
1 semester program participants – 15 credit hours before transferring
2 semester program participants – 24 credit hours before transferring
If you have been offered a spot in the MCC Start Program, your first step is to complete the interest form found in your goBAYLOR account. From there, you will be prompted to submit your application to MCC and follow their enrollment process. To learn more about this pathway program, we encourage you to attend one of our virtual informational sessions listed below.
February 3rd – 7pm
March 12th – 7pm
April 25th – 1pm
The MCC Start Program is available online; students can participate without moving to Waco. If a student chooses to move to Waco to participate in the MCC Start Program in person, the student is responsible for the cost of their food and housing.
Post-MCC Admission
All students must earn a GPA of a 2.75 minimum and enroll in a minimum of 15 credits to if participating in 1 semester or 24 credit hours after 2 semesters.
Students who are interested in the following majors will be required to earn a higher GPA for admission directly into these majors:
Biology - 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA
Biochemistry - 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA
Chemistry - 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA
Pre-Veterinary - 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
Click here to learn more about major-specific requirements for Baylor.
Students must meet the 2.75 minimum GPA and minimum hour requirement. If the minimum GPA is not met, students should prepare to continue an extra semester to increase their cumulative GPA. At this point, students will not be considered part of the pathway program and should meet normal transfer requirements.
Students who do not meet the requirements for their specific major will be considered for admission as “Undecided” or a different major with a lower GPA requirement.
If you are participating in the one-semester pathway, you must meet the 15-credit hour requirement to transfer to Baylor. If participating in the two-semester pathway, you must meet the 24-credit hour requirement to transfer to Baylor. If you do not meet the requirement, you will be required to enroll one more semester at MCC. Please contact your Baylor Admissions staff member to ask any specific questions you may have at Jennifer_Ready@baylor.edu.
To earn credit for your MCC courses at Baylor, you must earn at least a C or higher.
No, as long as the student stays above the credit minimum students may withdraw from a course after the add-drop period and not have their pathway impacted.
Yes! The main contact for the MCC Start Program is Jennifer Ready. She will check in with you to prepare you for the necessary enrollment steps to transfer to Baylor on time.
The MCC Start Program is a partnership initiative that allows for enrollment in academic courses that will easily lead to articulation a Baylor degree plan. However, MCC Start Program students are not technically enrolled at Baylor during those semesters, so living on campus and participating in campus activities are not included in the program.
Students can be reviewed for need-based financial aid at both MCC and Baylor. During MCC Start, students will work with the financial aid office at MCC to review aid and billing information. Before transferring to Baylor, students can begin working with Baylor’s One Stop office on the financial aid process. Students must complete the FAFSA for MCC and both the FAFSA and CSS Profile for Baylor to be considered for maximum need-based aid.
If you decide you no longer want to attend Baylor, please contact your MCC advisor as well as jennifer_ready@baylor.edu and we will remove you from the program.
Transferring to Baylor Process
NOTE: To complete your application, your high school must send an official, final high school transcript to Baylor Admissions. You can request for your official transcript to be sent at any time throughout the program.
One Semester:
During your semester with MCC, you will receive an “Intent to Enroll” form from Baylor via email. Completing this form confirms your continued interest in transferring to Baylor.
Once we receive your form, we will create your transfer application.
Two Semesters:
During your second semester with MCC, you will receive an “Intent to Enroll” form. Completing this form confirms your continued interest in transferring to Baylor. Once we receive your form, we will create your transfer application.
One Semester:
After receiving submitting your "Intent to Enroll" and receiving your conditional acceptance, you will be asked to pay a $500 enrollment deposit to hold your spot at Baylor. The final deposit deadline is December 15th, but we recommend submitting it early, by November 15th, for course registration purposes.
Two Semesters:
After receiving submitting your "Intent to Enroll" and receiving your conditional acceptance, you will be asked to pay a $500 enrollment deposit to hold your spot at Baylor. The final deposit deadline is July 1st, but we recommend submitting it early, by May 1st, for course registration purposes.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Admitted students are eligible to be considered for a transfer student scholarship to Baylor. Transfer merit-based scholarships are awarded once we receive your official MCC Fall or Fall/Spring transcript, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. You can learn more about our transfer merit-based scholarships here.
Need-based Scholarships and Funding
Need-based scholarships and funding are determined as a yearly offer, based on the student’s individual and/or family income. Both a completed FAFSA application and a CSS Profile are required to be fully considered for the highest amount of need a student may qualify for.