College Transfers and Everything You Should Know About Them
Let’s imagine a situation. You have enrolled in a college that seemed like the place of your dream. However, with time, you realize that you were wrong, and you should change something immediately. Well, that’s quite natural – we cannot say if something suits us perfectly until we actually try it. Numerous students change their minds and transfer during the college year. What is more, it is much better to realize that this place is not for you as early as possible. By doing so, you can find something better without losing your time in vain.
In this article, we will discuss some critical questions that will help you orient yourself in the transferring process. Read a written essay and arm yourself with valuable information!
Tips for all transferring students
Take a look at this list of hints and keep them in mind! This will make your transfer more thoughtful and successful:
- Pick a major and get prepared
Find out a major policy of a chosen college. Some of them don’t require one from the very beginning, and you have time to choose it. The others, like the University of California, require a major right away.
Also, think about your preferences. What is more important to you: a particular college to attend or a major to pursue? Let’s say you want to study art at a nice art school. If you have better chances of enrolling with another major, you should give it a try. In any case, you will enter the community and have a chance to communicate with art students. On the other hand, you might be obsessed with the idea of studying art, and the school is less important to you. In this case, you may choose the one that is located closer to your home and continue studying your most favorite subject.
Just to let you know, picking a major from the very beginning is a good idea. When you focus on classes that cover a particular major, you have a chance to graduate in four years, which is less expensive than studying for six years without having a concrete direction to follow.
Also, if you complete major requirements, you might be a more attractive candidate for an admission committee. Students with completed courses are beneficial for colleges, and the committee members give preference to them.
- Admission requirements are important
You can easily find the admission requirements of a particular college online. Just Google them and find out the details. First of all, make sure that there is a transfer agreement between your current college and the one you want to transfer to. Find the list of courses to see the academic difference.
The chances are that most courses (if not all) will coincide. This is a great articulation agreement that allows you to transfer easier – your current credits are enough. Contact the administration to ask if they have limits for transfer credits or any other restrictions. For example, some colleges don’t accept students for a concrete major. Ask if they take students for yours and find out if you need to do something particular for that major. Ask for details and take notes.
- Compose a winning application letter
Most colleges ask transferring students to write an essay. This is a huge part of your application, so pay special attention to the task. Explain why you want to change the current college, your plans, and how a college can benefit from accepting you. Present your personality and academic aspirations to make your paper individual and unique.
- Continue working hard for your grades
Even if you are leaving your current college, you must stay focused on studying and keep your grades high. Grades matter and influence the result of your application to a new school. Test scores will also count.
- Talk to your professor
You may ask your professor for recommendations – this will make your application package much better.
- Take part in campus activities
You can engage in active students’ life even before you enroll. Take a look at the list of current campus activities and think about how you can contribute. The admission committee will appreciate your interest and activeness.
- Arrive at the campus
If you aim at a particular college and this is a planned transfer, take a campus trip. Look around and make sure that you really want to stay there.
- Apply for many schools
You might have one college of your dream and several “maybe” or “likely.” Create a list of them and apply for each school – this will increase your chances for a successful transfer. Don’t forget to check the number of available transfers for each school – the numbers can vary from 100 to 3000.
- Recheck the requirements before you apply
Double-check transfer requirements before you send an application. We mention the necessity to check the requirements one more time because it is essential and should never ignore it. If you apply for several schools, take a look at the lists and reassure you that you didn’t confuse anything.
Transferring is a great idea when you are pretty sure that the time has come to change your life. Don’t be afraid to make such twists – arm yourself with these tips, and good luck!
