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Want to Transfer?

© ML Arthur

Are you unhappy at your college? Do you find that everyone is partying all the time when you would like to get some serious studying done? Do you find that your school is too big, too small, too easy, or too hard? Have you discovered an extraordinary interest in archeology at a school which only offers one or two classes in your field? Are you a woman who is sick of sharing the bathroom with boys and desires a single-sex education? Are you tired of your arts college and wishing for some football games? If you answered any of these questions with a yes, then you may be the perfect candidate for transferring.

Thought you were all done with those college applications, didn't you? Well, the process of transferring is a little different and a lot easier than it was the first time around. For starters, you are used to college and you now know the right questions to ask as you look at schools. Most schools use a different form for those who are applying as transfer students. This form focuses on your work since starting college, your reasons for wanting to change, and recommendations from those you have been working with. While it is extremely hard to transfer into some schools, others leave aside spaces for transfer students and have to scramble to fill them, making your application glide through. A school you may never have even considered your first time around may admit you in a flash.

Things to consider Don't transfer just because you did poorly your first semester or you are having trouble making friends. Everyone has a little trouble adjusting to college. When you make your decision, be sure to choose wisely, as you will not get the opportunity to transfer again. Most schools require that undergraduates spend at least the second half of their total enrollment (i.e. 2 years for a bachelors, 1 year for an associates or a masters) enrolled on campus in order to grant a degree, so if you transfer too late, you may have to spend extra time (and money!) to get your degree. Also remember that many of your credits may not transfer. Harvard may let a student from Smalltown Community College transfer in, but they may decide that the classes that student has taken are not 'good enough' to qualify for Harvard credit. If you have been studying in a technical field and transfer to a liberal arts college, many courses may not transfer because the liberal arts college does not offer coursework in your field. Make sure to consider whether loosing your credits is okay with you. You may want to contact your potential schools for a transcript review before you decide to attend.

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