“Each institution offers unique services to transfer stu- dents,” says Evelyn Waymire, Associate Director of Admissions at Indiana Wesleyan University. At her school, transfer admission counselors serve as the first point of contact. They provide students with an unoffi- cial assessment of how their courses might transfer. Designated transfer advisors then assist in transferring courses, ensuring credits are properly applied and help- ing establish a graduation plan. The University also has an external transcript evaluator who makes sure students get proper credit for previously completed courses. If a college doesn’t have an office dedicated specif- ically to transfers, start with the undergraduate admission office. “Usually, someone within the admissions office is well versed in transfer enrollment,” says Justin Rogers, former Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Canisius College. “If transfer expertise does not live within the admission office, that office still should be able to point you to the best resource on campus.” You may also want to speak with staff in other offices
or departments, such as the financial aid office, student housing office, and the academic department you’re interested in. A career services office can be a helpful resource, while informal campus conversations may also be revealing. If possible, talk not just to counselors or administrators but also to students who are currently attending or have recently graduated. If they were transw
-
fers, even better. Ask about how they have been treated. Find out what they like best about the college—and what they like least. Keeping in mind that no school is perfect and people will have varying opinions, try to get as clear a picture as possible of what your life as a transfer student might be like.
Visit your schools of interest With more and more schools offering virtual tours, you can check out many campuses without leaving your home. That’s not a bad way to begin. But before committing to
any college, you should make at least one in-person visit if at all possible. “Even if you’ve been there before, it’s important to see everything with the eyes of a prospec- tive transfer student,” says Mary Wargo, former Director of Transfer and Part-Time Admissions at Quinnipiac University. “Imagine yourself on the campus. Is it a [good] fit academically? How about socially?” She notes that open house events on campus provide a great oppor- tunity for transfer students to interact with both current students and faculty. If an open house isn’t offered or you can’t make it, request a tour at a date and time convenient for you. With this option, though, be sure to arrange your visit in advance rather than showing up unannounced. If the college isn’t in an area you know well, take some time to scope out the local community. Life outside of campus is important too, and you’ll want to make sure it’s the kind of town or city where you’ll feel comfortable and happy, from the nightlife options to the hiring climate.
Make a plan For any college student, keeping up with degree require- ments, registration deadlines, and other details is key to success. But for transfers, there’s even more to do. That’s why it pays to develop a tentative transfer plan as soon as possible, then finalize details as you progress through your studies. “Start planning for your transfer early in your academic career,” says Lisa Cox, Director of Student Outreach and Transition at Eastern Kentucky University. “This will ensure you’re taking classes that’ll transfer toward your intended degree and qualify for potential transfer scholarships.”
Other than the choice of which college to attend, the next most important question to address may be, when is the best time to transfer? Traditionally, the ideal trans- fer point is the completion of one course of study that leads naturally to another. Often this means earning an associate degree at a community college, then moving
CollegeXpress.com
on to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school. But that’s not the only option. You can also transfer after completing a year or less at any college, whether it’s a two-year or four-year school. Or you can finish a couple of years of studies without earning an associate degree. Just remember, the longer you wait to transfer, the more likely you may be to encounter problems. “Mistakes tend to occur when students don’t take the time to research and plan their transfer,” Cox says. “I often see students who have remained at a community college too long, taking classes that aren’t needed and expending much of their financial aid.”
Pay attention to deadlines Things move quickly on campus. One term blends into the next, and before you know it, an academic year has flown by. Spread across that year are deadlines for sub- mitting admission applications, financial aid forms, and more. So be sure to find out all the key deadlines for the college you’ll be attending and incorporate them into your overall transfer plan. Keep in mind that it’s important to not just meet
deadlines but to act as early as possible. For example, the classes you want (or need) to take can fill up way ahead of course selection deadlines, so you don’t want to wait too long. “There’s nothing worse than having a class schedule you don’t like,” Rogers says. “Make sure you apply early enough so you can register early.” The same applies to financial aid. “Do not leave money on the table,” he says. “Apply early so you get ample con- sideration for financial aid and scholarships.”
Ask for help
As a transfer student, your past experience can be help- ful as you go through the familiar process again. But a lot changes the second time around, so don’t assume you know exactly what’s expected of you. Instead, you should
@CollegeXpress
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
