classes, and exams, that dream turns into a nightmare. Universities across the country offer a variety of majors and minors; some offer more pro- grams than others, while some offer more highly ranked programs than others.
If you’re convinced you want to continue with the same degree plan you’ve been pursuing, then your brainstorming phase is done. If you’re still undecided, create a list of pos- sible options and interests. You can narrow down your possible majors later as you move along the trans- fer process. Typically, the larger the university, the larger the pool of op- tions will be.
Doing adequate research to dis- cover the best program for you is crucial. When you’re investing mon- ey in a college, you want to make sure you’re receiving the best educa- tion you can get. Once you’ve found several universities that offer your program of interest, the next step is to review the social and financial elements of each school.
At what cost?
The price tags for universities vary. While some are relatively inexpen- sive, others may have a higher tu- ition rate. Private universities typi- cally have higher “sticker prices,” while public universities maintain a relatively low tuition rate. But de- pending on the financial aid pack- age you’re offered, it may be more affordable for you to attend the more expensive university. Again, it’s im- portant to do your research to find the best fit for you.
Universities do as much as they can to keep the price of attendance low. Although scholarships are more abundant for first-time college go- ers, they’re still available for transfer students. Along with scholarships and financial aid, schools try to find ways to manage the cost by imple- menting policies and services that keep tuition rates from changing or rising exponentially. If you qualify, grants are a great addition to your financial aid package too. Find out
which universities are being pro- active in offering the most support for transfer students.
While you’re considering fees and more, you should also think about what the city and campus have to offer in order to earn money. For those who will work while being a student, research what kind of em- ployment or internship opportuni- ties are available on and off campus. Finding jobs that offer flexible work schedules and wages that will sustain your budget is essential.
Admission requirements Now that you’ve found universities of interest, you can start looking at admission requirements. Before you even submit an application or con- sider submitting any documents, check to see if you meet the require- ments for your program of interest and the university as a whole. These findings will create the blueprints of what steps to take next. If you don’t meet all the requirements, it’s worth speaking to an admission counselor at the school. A more in-depth review will inform you about all the options you have and what else, if any- thing, can be offered to you for admit- tance. If all goes well and you’re ready to continue the path for trans- ferring, it’s time to begin the transfer credit research process.
Transferring credits
Perhaps the most pressing question transfer students ask is: If I transfer, will I extend my time in school? Sometimes the credit transfer pro- cess can bring frustrating obsta- cles when it comes to applying your ac-
transfer.collegexpress.com n 2019 6
complished work to your new degree program. Transferring credits is not the same
for every university. Each school ac- cepts credits depending on how those credits correlate with their curricu- lum. A great free service you can use is Transferology. This website allows you to plug in credits from your cur- rent university to the one you’re plan- ning on transferring to. It will then show you which credits transfer and how they’ll transfer, plus which cred- its do not. Transferology isn’t used by every university. If utilizing this program is out of the question, contact an ad- mission counselor at the universi- ties you’re considering. They’ll be able to connect you with resources to figure out which credits can be brought with you and what you can do to recuperate any credits that may be lost. Degree maps to graduation are extremely beneficial, so ask if one is available. Some universities also offer pre-transfer advising ses- sions that guide you through every step of the transfer process. They give you the resources and information you need regarding transferring credits, exploring majors, identify- ing next steps, and more.
Campus visits While you may be pick- ing a university based on proximity to your job or home, visiting campuses on your college list is still extremely important. Every campus has a different environ- ment made up by the school’s student population, the city it’s located in, and the vast options of programs and organizations at the school. Visiting campus will give you a good feel of what it would be like as a student on a day-to-day basis.
Many universities offer guided tour sessions with informational presen- tations and even special transfer events to help you during this pro- cess. The presentations highlight what the university has to offer, the
@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 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132
