At any given moment you have the power to say, ‘this is not how the story is going to end’.
- Christine Mason Miller
Choosing the right course, right college and the right way to a bright future can be quite confusing especially, for young, fresh-out-of-school students. Sometimes, even if you are confident and clear about your pursuit, things may go awry on the way, forcing you to think about taking a detour. Relatable?
We have always been an advocate of being practical and keeping the options open throughout your career journey. Committing to a college for those 3 or 4 crucial years is a big decision. Many students develop some serious doubts about their college of choice when they come face to face with reality. Please keep in mind, it is more than normal to change your mind about your choice of college once you arrive on campus.
Some concrete reasons to consider college transfer
You feel academically unchallenged at your current campus: Choosing a more interesting subject, deciding to switch majors, or aiming for a more prestigious and intellectually stimulating college than the one you are in, are some of the most acceptable reasons to seek a transfer.
You feel financially burdened: Sometimes even after being aware of the college’s monetary expectations, students tend to miss-assess the financial implications. Connect with a financial aid office, consider going for a loan or ask a friend to help before thinking about a college transfer.
Other unavoidable circumstances: Moving out of town due to personal reasons, joining the workforce due to family needs, or military transfers can be some of the many challenges that may persuade students to look for a transfer option.
So, no guilt trips there. It’s okay to change your mind after joining a college. Now let’s talk about how to seek the transfer of credits from your current institution to the new college/ university you are aiming for. Is it even possible? If yes, to what extent?
Transfer of credits is a great way to fast-track a new degree by using what you’ve already done. Here are some quick tips for making the most of your time spent in college and using it to accelerate the completion of your degree.
1. Evaluate the new program. Is it transfer-friendly?
The first step toward a successful transfer is to analyze the rules of the new college you are considering.
Ø Do they accept transfer students?
Ø Do they accept transfer credits?
Ø If yes, will they be able to match the number of hours of coursework previously attended to the number of accepted credits?
Please note that colleges want to ensure that you have a stronghold in the chosen subject. It’s also very important to check the transfer rate of the college. Colleges tend to accept a higher number of freshmen as opposed to transferring students. Often, colleges have mutual affiliation or partnership that makes the transfer process easier.
2. Be on your toes: As mentioned earlier, the acceptance rates for freshmen are higher than for transfer students in any college. So you need to be extra careful of the criteria set by the school. You don’t want to miss out on the deadlines! Check out what achievements are considered by the college as credits. Could you transfer as credit an advanced placement class you took in high school? Is there any credit offered by the college that is beyond the usual transcripts and performance assessments? Having said that, be sure to submit all the transcripts, however old.
3. Stay true and organized with your paperwork: While the transfer process differs from college to college, there are some things almost all colleges consider important. For example:
Ø An essay on why you are seeking a transfer: It is usually, a 500-word essay that focuses on your growth in the years of college attended. In addition to being semantically perfect, you also need to include key points in the essay like the goals you are planning to achieve in this new college and the specific feature of the college you are interested in. In any case, do not belittle your current college. You should in fact talk about how much you have grown through the time spent here.
Ø Procure strong letters of recommendation from the right sources: This is one of the most crucial aspects of your transfer process. If you are transferring for the right reasons, your current professors would be more than happy to provide you with a letter of recommendation mentioning your strengths. You may ask your high school teachers or employer (if any) to provide a letter too.
4. Communicate constantly with your new admissions advisor. Finally, it’s important to be constantly in touch with your new college. Involve them in the process. If possible, pay a visit and talk to them in person about how you can add weight to your transfer application. Be proactive and ask as many questions as you can.
Transferring college and credits is a stressful process only if you aren’t organized and informed enough. Often students overlook the important facets of their profile that may earn them hidden credits. Talk to an admission counselor to get expert guidance on the transfer process.
Book a consultation with WritersQi for a seamless and successful college transfer journey.
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