College and Career Application Blog

What to expect when transferring colleges

12/12/2018

You've been soul searching about transferring schools. One factor that's likely going to contribute to your decision making process is what challenges may lie ahead if you do decide to go for it.

Here's a list of possible challenges to think about:

Application process - well, you've done it before if you're in school now. It's arduous, hard work that usually incites nervousness and anxiety at different points of the process. But, it's also a time of self reflection, especially as it relates to why you'd like to transfer. You'll be carrying on with a college level course load while also working on personal statements and essays.
Course credits - depending on which school you're transferring to and from, your credits may not all (or at all) transfer in the process. It's like changing majors, but more so as you're changing schools entirely. Many schools have different foundational/general studies requirements, too. This might set you behind especially if you're considering studying abroad or a double major.

Leaving behind people - you've likely made a few good friends in your first year or two at college or have met some professors/TAs that you really connected with. It can be hard to say goodbye.
Fresh start - this is obviously also a positive, but a fresh start means making new friends and new connections. This also means relearning the physical campus, culture, and social life of the school.
Financial aid - the paperwork! And the financial aid package might be different at the new school; navigating this is administratively challenging and time consuming. This could also have positives if the new school is giving you a more substantial financial commitment!
Academic changes - class style, educational philosophy, requirements of the school, and individual professors, will all change when you transfer schools. This might be adjusting to large lectures or needing to take more literature classes because of a core requirement at a liberal arts college.
Logistics: the basics of registering for classes, orientation, checking your grades, communicating with the bursar, on campus housing, etc., are all new again. Things that you just got the swing of, you'll need to learn to navigate once more.

However, there are lots of positives that come along with transferring, especially if it's the right decision for you:

Personal growth - change usually means you get to learn something new, and there will be lots of changes ahead if you apply and get in (and especially if you choose to go)
Best fit - most likely there is something significant about your current school that is unchangeable, hence consideration of transferring to another. Transferring will mean that this significant challenge will be very different and hopefully a much better fit for your learning needs. Whether it's rigor of coursework, right social environment, or a school that has a strong department in your chosen career path, you'll feel a bit more at home in this regard.
Friends - you'll gain new ones, while hopefully keeping the ones from your "first" school.

While there are lots of challenges to consider, with the right self reflection and research, you may come to the conclusion that it is the best possible decision for you. In which case, you'll be glad you did it!

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Should I transfer colleges?

11/21/2018

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There is a lot of narrative out there on thoughts for and against transferring schools - so you're not alone if you're reading this (about 25% of students actually transfer!). We've compiled it here into several topics to consider as you go through the process of deciding if putting in applications is right for you:

Think twice:

Is there a major problem with the current school? Homesick, long distance relationship challenges? Definitely think twice about transferring if these are the case; and see if there are workarounds that will solve these difficulties while staying.
Trying to upgrade schools? Well, if you're at Cornell, aiming for MIT, and were denied admissions the first time around, keep in mind that the odds are lower as a transfer applicant. Consider if there have been major shifts or changes in your academic and career resume that would make a big difference in your admissions chances (major awards, publications, etc.). Also, consider that the time and effort to apply/adjust to a new school may not be justified depending on where you're coming from and going to (transferring courses, financial aid, the application process).
Lousy roommate? This is something that can may have solutions if working with school administration or with time (rooming with others the next year or semester, or finding a single the next year).
Classes are too hard or too easy? Consider changing classes first, not schools. Do some research: talk to professors and upperclassmen to better gauge if rigor might be a good reason to leave.
Not making friends right away? This is more common than people think. Already tried to join a bunch of clubs? How about actively going to more events or finding an on campus job? Putting together a study group for a challenging class or sports/gym may also put you in places that will expose you to more possible future friends.

Reasons to transfer:

You're in a 2 year program and looking to continue your education.
Your current school is in a location that is no longer a fit for your academic learning or social interests. For example, you decided that you wanted to study urban challenges, but your rural school is over an hour to the closest major city where you can get hands on experiences.
Your current school's academic breadth and depth don't meet your career goals. Perhaps you've decided to become an engineer, but your liberal arts school doesn't have a mechanical engineering program. Or you're hoping to become a doctor, but there is a weak (or no) program for pre-med students.
Your school's social life and culture is holistically not in alignment with yours. For example, most students leave campus to connect with the external community more often than stay on campus to build depth to student-student relationships. Or, Greek life rules campus and you hoped to have meaningful connections through clubs and have found that unsuccessful due to the dominance of Greek culture at the school.
Your current school's method and philosophy of education/learning do not align well with your own. Perhaps you're at a huge university with lecture classes, but you have a strong need and desire to have deep discussion in learning new material. Or you're a visual learner but all the seminar style classes are not conducive to your learning style.

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What to expect when transferring colleges

Should I transfer colleges?

About Lucent:

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NewsletterMonthly newsletter with tips and promos.

About Lucent Education

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Services

THOUGHTS & ADVICE ON COLLEGE, Careers, the APPLICATION PROCESs, and More

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Monthly newsletter with tips and promos.