Take a look at the student population of any major university. Nearly one out of every five students enrolled there are transfer students from a community college, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. That means that approximately 20 percent of all college students are transfer students, which is a sizeable portion of the student body indeed. Yet, many transfer students will tell you that transferring universities was a painful and difficult process. But luckily, it does not have to be.
One of the first things a transfer student should do is research their transfer university. This means visiting the campus if possible to ensure that it suits your needs and personal preferences. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you realize after moving to the school that you will not enjoy it. You should also look into whether or not your credits from your first school will successfully transfer to your new school. This is especially a concern for students looking to transfer to a private school, as many private colleges have their own guidelines as to what they will accept. Those who are looking to transfer to a school in a different state should also ensure that all of their credits will transfer as some states have differing guidelines as well.
Students should also get their paperwork together as soon as possible, such as their transcripts from both their high schools and first colleges. Some schools are slow to provide that for their students, so getting a head start will make the process move along quicker. Filling out the transfer paperwork in a timely manner is another important step in making switching schools easier, as it will save you from the stress and hassle of rushing to get everything done.
Students may choose to transfer from one school to another for a number of reasons. Some choose to earn basic college credits towards their degree in community college rather than at a four-year university because community college costs less. By transferring their credits to a four-year college after first knocking two years out of the degree plan, students can save thousands of dollars. Other students may simply prefer to attend a school closer to home for the first few years before moving to another city and school for college. Still others may have found that their first-choice university was not a good fit for them after all and desire to complete their education elsewhere. Whatever the reason, many students choose to transfer universities.
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