Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
Choosing the right school for you can be difficult. Not only is the decision made while you are still quite young, but it can also be heavily influenced by external factors that ultimately do not align with your wishes. Take it from someone who has experienced it.
In fact, about a third of college students change schools at some point before completing their degree. And total transfers accounted for over 13% of all continuing and returning students last year.
In this article, we'll explore the top reasons students decide to change schools, how to know when the time is right, and what you need to do to be successful at a new school.
Reasons why students change schools
There are a number of reasons that lead students to consider changing schools. While many new transfers are typically community college students, a change in circumstances may leave a student already attending a four-year university wondering whether they made the right choice. Below is a list of the top reasons students decide to change schools.
- Transfer to a four-year university following community college.
- Confronting the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
- Lack of social engagement.
- Maladjustment to the school environment.
- Change of major subjects.
- Interested in the prestige and recognition of another school.
- Poor academic performance.
- Change in financial situation.
- New opportunities for student-athletes.
- Returning to school to complete a degree after a life change.
Regardless of why you want to change schools, it is important that you make an informed decision. This means taking the time to reflect on what you experienced. And if you're undecided, get someone else's opinion on the matter.
Of course, I can't give advice here about what's best for you, but there's something to be said: listen to your gut and identify what makes you happy. If it helps, you can also create a pros and cons list to clarify your educational goals, values, and interests.
Find a better option for you
Once you know why you want to move, you need to determine where you want to go! And most importantly, which school will meet your personal and financial needs while offering the academic program that interests you?
This research requires a little more than just browsing college websites. You'll also want to talk to the people at your school that interest you and perhaps attend some events to get a full picture of what the school has to offer. Use these questions as a starting point for your research:
- Will my major be offered?
- Will my existing coursework be transferred?
- Where is the new university located?
- Are there scholarships for transfer students?
- As a transfer student, how long will it take to graduate?
- Are there any academic barriers to transfer that I might encounter?
- What options are available to meet my social/academic/other needs?
It will be much easier to develop a strategic approach to your search if you are able to answer these questions. This will further clarify your educational goals, values and interests and give you direction. Now you can start finalizing the details of your plan.
Related: Does it matter which college you attend?
Identify target schools
Anything you consider important to your college experience is worth considering in your search for a new school. However, you should pay particular attention to your program of interest, admission requirements, and transfer credit guidelines.
Find your program of interestt: Make sure the schools on your list offer the academic programs that fit your major and career interests. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, and overall credibility of the program. Most colleges are known for their strengths in a few niche areas that could benefit your move.
Check admission requirements: Familiarize yourself with the admission requirements of each college on your list and pay close attention to the listed requirements for your planned program.
Know the transfer credit policies: Approval of transfer credits is always at the discretion of the Registrar's Office, meaning that each school has its own policies for approving transfer credits. While some schools limit the number of credits you can transfer, others have an articulation agreement with schools nearby, often in the same state.
Related: How to make a college list: Find academic and financial fit
Campus visit
If possible, I always recommend that students take a personal tour of the school they are considering. Why? Because no virtual experience can compare to standing on campus and observing first-hand the small nuances of everyday student life.
Get a first impression: A campus visit is your best opportunity for first impressions. Walk around, take a class, explore the residence halls, or visit the recreation center. This is the time to take in everything the school has to offer and reflect on the overall atmosphere of the campus.
Talk to current students: Interacting with current students is one of the best ways to find out if a future at this school is right for you. Current students have first-hand experience with faculty, classroom assignments, internship opportunities, and even campus or community events. They are also more likely to give you honest input!
Explore campus resources: Most schools now have offices dedicated to academic advising, career counseling, and general student support. It's worth stopping by for contact information if you have any questions later. And don't forget to check out other ways you can get involved in campus life, like student government, Greek life, or recreational sports!
The “right” time for the transfer
Timing plays an important role in the transfer process, affecting everything from academic progress to financial aid. Although the decision to transfer is a completely personal decision, the results may vary depending on the timing of the transfer.
If there was a “right” time to transfer college, I would say it would be any time before your senior year and preferably at the end of a full academic year.
Transferring before your senior year may be more efficient due to transfer credit policies. More selective schools often limit transfer credits to prevent students from transferring in time to graduate and have a coveted university name on their diploma. So if you're close to graduating, switching could significantly extend the time it takes to complete your degree.
Additionally, a mid-year move may have unexpected consequences for your current financial situation, such as not paying tuition fees, terminating your rental agreement, or leaving you with no new financial aid options, as school scholarships are typically adjusted based on the academic year.
Find out about the support services available to transfer students at your new school and work with an admissions representative to set key dates for the process. Working with someone not only allows you to align your transfer date with teaching, study, and scholarship cycles, but also ensures you meet all required college application deadlines.
Creating a successful transition
Moving to a new college can be both fun and daunting. Whether you're moving from a small school to a large school or from a local college to a distant university, there are several ways to ease the transition to life on a new campus.
If you haven't toured your new campus yet, set aside some time to tour it first and spend the day checking things out. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the campus layout before classes begin. You may even want to memorize a few routes between your class locations to ease any anxiety in the first few weeks.
Another option is to take part in a transfer orientation. As with new student orientation, universities have a special orientation to introduce new students to each other in addition to the campus. It can be scary to be out there, but every other student present is in your shoes.
Getting involved on campus is another great way to meet like-minded students and add enriching moments to your college experience. Above all, give yourself space to take in your surroundings and remember that it may take some time to adjust to your new campus.
Summary
Navigating the transfer process can be a busy few months, but the more you invest, the more you'll get out of it. As you consider your next step, remember the importance of your personal, academic and financial goals. This will give you the tools to make informed decisions and strategize your transition timeline to set yourself up for success.
As you enter this new chapter, remember that you are not alone! Changing universities is an opportunity to grow, discover new things and develop. And your college experience is unique only to you – celebrate how far you've come and look forward to the experiences ahead.
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
