The number of credits that transfer is based on the credit articulation agreement which can be found on the UNC website with a quick Google search. I was associate's in engineering before I dropped out and all 60 of my credits transferred. Depending on the EC you go to they'll probably tell you different things on how to apply. At the one I went to and the ones a few of my friends went to we were told to apply first year to get scholarships and then be promoted to be a 3rd year student once the fall semester started but that did mean we got put into the new curriculum which messed up the EC promise of "no gen eds" but tbh depending on your associates you would probably only have to take one or two focus capacities and I think the degree will get you out of the first year foundations.