Looking to Transfer?

Transfer Students

When you decided to attend a two-year school, you might have already known that you would transfer to the college of your dreams. Or maybe you started your post-high school career at a community college because you weren’t quite sure where you wanted to go or what you wanted to do. Either way, the decision is upon you – your college transfer is just around the corner!

Regardless of the “why” you are going to make a college transfer, the “how” is what matters most. Have you been taking the right courses? Will your credits transfer? Will you be able to graduate on time? How will you fit in at your new school?

If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re like many transfer students. Just ask Pia LoRusso, a sociology major at SUNY Brockport (www.brockport.edu) who was unsure of where to go as well as what a transfer would really mean for her. LoRusso attended Monroe Community College (www.mcc.edu) right out of high school with plans to transfer directly into a two-plus-two program, but things didn’t go quite as planned.

“I just wasn’t sure what I really wanted to do,” explains LoRusso, “so instead of continuing on with my education, I took some time off and put my associate’s degree to work.” LoRusso spent a few years in a couple of different jobs but quickly realized she needed — and wanted — to go back to school. “I thought I would have to go back to MCC for some classes before I could transfer since it had been a couple of years, but that wasn’t the case. They were so helpful and very supportive.”

With the guidance of an advisor at her community college, LoRusso visited SUNY Brockport and it was there that she was not only encouraged, but was able to transfer all of her credits and enroll quickly and easily as a transfer student. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” LoRusso says.

Your transfer process can be smooth, too! Follow these helpful tips and your transfer is likely to be a positive one.

College Transfer

It’s never too early to think about your future.

It is critical to begin thinking about where you might like to transfer as soon as your first semester of your first year of college. That may sound early, but the college years truly do fly by and you will be ready to transfer before you know it.

Courtney Pearsall, a transfer student who switched to Seton Hall University (www.shu.edu) from Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu), explains that she “focused on what type of school I wanted and the location and environment of the school” as she prepared her college transfer. “Ultimately, I chose to go to school close to New York City because of the lively nature of the surrounding community,” says Pearsall. Seton Hall is only 14 miles outside of the city.

Transfer students should try to start making decisions early and often when it comes to searching for schools by exploring locations, possible majors and looking into potential careers. (Even if you change your mind, like LoRusso, you are better off having a goal and working toward it than not thinking about what you might like to do.)

Get the basics under your belt.

It’s no secret that every college education begins with a few foundational courses that every student must master before completing their degree. This is particularly important for transfer students. These areas of study include liberal arts classes like basic college-level math, science, English and social sciences. Beginning your college career at a two-year school is a great way to complete these classes while saving money and figuring out what you really want to be when you grow up.

Experience independence in small doses.

Going away to college can be a major shock to the fresh-out-of-high school student’s system. That is why attending a two-year school close to home can provide a smooth transition from adolescence to young adulthood. While college classes require a certain level of self-discipline and increased responsibility, it may be helpful to have the help and guidance of your parents and/or family and friends to keep you on track as you begin your college career. Transfer students will have had a taste of what it is like to be a college student and (hopefully) better prepared to be on their own.

Take advantage of transfer students resources.

Transfer counselors, career counselors and most professors will be more than willing — and happy — to answer any questions you have about the transfer process or your college career in general. Andrea Kurtz, assistant director of admissions for Mount Mary College (www.mtmary.edu) in

Milwaukee, Wis., along with several dedicated transfer admission counselors,

helps guide students through the application-to-enrollment process.

“Once classes begin, transfer students have access to a variety of services provided by our Student Success Center, including: tutoring, academic advising, career development, professional counseling, accessibility services, and more,” says Kurtz. And Mount Mary College isn’t the only school with such a strong support system for transfer students. Look into the transfer resources your potential school offers. You will likely find guidance, expertise and support as you work toward earning your degree in a personal and productive way.

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College transfer can be tough. Don’t get discouraged!

It’s nice to think that every single credit will transfer, that you will be accepted to your “dream” school as a transfer student, and that you will graduate in four years or less. However, that is not always the case — and that is okay! Be at ease with whatever bumps in the road you may encounter because it is all part of what will make your individual journey unique and, believe it or not, most memorable. It’s up to you to enjoy the ride!

Pearsall tells students to “have a little faith in [yourself] because you can do so much more than you know and taking a leap at a new school is the start of finding yourself.” For her, transferring was “the greatest thing [she has] ever done” and hopefully it will be for you as well.

Transfer Students Timeline

A semester-by-semester guide for a smooth college transfer

The moment you know you are going to transfer is the moment you should begin to plan for the process. We have put together a timeline for you to follow from your first semester to your final class at your two-year school. Follow these helpful tips and you will be well on your way to a smooth and successful transfer!

1st semester

Gather as much information as possible. Contact admissions offices, schedule campus visits and narrow down your choices. You’ll also need to begin to gather the necessary pieces for your application(s). Find out what special requirements exist, any classes you might have to take and what (if any) four-year institutions your current school has established relationships with.

2nd semester

Research scholarship and grant information. You will likely be surprised at the number of financial aid opportunities available to transfer students. Also, ask the transfer school about any awards they might offer. Email faculty and department chairs to get more information if necessary.

3rd semester

Decide on a school and/or program and apply! Include a resumé, recommendations and a portfolio if necessary. As a transfer student, you will be expected to offer a bit more than incoming freshmen right out of high school.

4th semester

Submit your FAFSA (as soon after Jan. 1 as possible) and apply for any other need-based financial aid. Make sure your application is filed and all deposits are paid. It’s time to transfer!

For a young University of Akron (www.uakron.edu) alumnus interested in politics and public policy, there was no greater classroom than the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York City. For me, it was a way to start my internship with the William J. Clinton Foundation.

The Global Initiative draws 1,000 members for talks and panel discussions and it takes over several floors of a hotel. I helped draft media advisories, responded to press inquiries and escorted members of the press to various sessions. It was a busy time and very exciting.

What prepared me most for the opportunity were the classes I took after transferring to UA in 2008, and an internship in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Although I was accepted at UA right out of high school, I — like so many transfer students -— opted to save money by beginning college close to home. I completed my first two years of coursework at Cuyahoga Community College (www.tri-c.edu), but stayed in contact with Karen Dickerson, director of UA’s Transfer Student Services Center, to ensure all of my classes would transfer. It was a seamless process and I appreciated all of Karen’s help.

“Leonard is a true Tri-C/Akron transfer student success story,” said Dickerson. “Our center has worked to coordinate services for credit evaluation, preadmission advising and helped build stronger relationships with area community colleges.”

Once at UA, I knew I made the right choice. I liked the diversity of classes in political science and I enjoyed the real world experience we received through research projects.

The direct knowledge I’ve gained through my internships is going to be very useful to me professionally. Ideally, I’d like to have long-term involvement in nonprofit work, perhaps in a policy analyst position.

Leonard Bellisario has been working for the Cleveland Foodbank on its annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign.

My name is Debra “Naaqtuuq” Dommek, I was born and raised in Kotzebue, Alaska and grew up in Anchorage. I transferred to UAF (www.uaf.edu) to pursue a baccalaureate degree, dual majoring in Alaska Native Studies and Iñupiaq Eskimo.

I began my college career as an undecided major student at the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2006. During my first semester, I took classes like western civilization, psychology, women’s studies, and Yup’ik Eskimo. I ended up failing history, did an average job wrapping my mind around psych, felt inspired as a woman, and more so as an “Eskimo.” Although stemming from the same language family, Yup’ik was not my mother tongue, but I knew it was a stepping stone to learning my own language, Iñupiatun. After mentioning this to some advisors, they told me of the Iñupiaq language program at UAF, an institution that also happens to offer a bachelor’s degree in Alaska Native Studies as well.

Following my newfound desire to indigenize my studies, I transferred to UAF to learn Iñupiaq and am dual majoring in Alaska Native Studies and Iñupiaq Eskimo, with a minor in Film. What I truly love about UAF is that it sits atop a hill that, for centuries, has been a meeting place for Dena (Athabascan Indian) chiefs who foresaw this particular land as a place in which people from all over the world will continue to gather and learn from each other. 

Language, culture, and a strong educational and community atmosphere drew me to this hill in the interior of Alaska. Api igiga puttuqsritquvlusi…I ask that you all be inspired!

How Does College Transfer Affect Your FAFSA Application Process?

These days, most college undergraduates do not spend four years at the same school.

Many cost-savvy students are completing two years at a community college—where they knock off liberal arts courses or (finally) choose a major—before transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Others transfer between four-year schools to save money, because they’ve chosen a new major or found the setting wasn’t a good fit.

Whatever the reason for a college transfer, one thing is certain: students still have to pay for school whether they are transferring from a community college to a university or other.

The first thing on your transfer to-do list should be filling out a FAFSA Application , (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) This is the form schools use to determine eligibility for scholarships, grants, work-study and federal loans. It is required for all students who are applying for need-based aid (funds which do not have to be repaid).

1.) What’s your timeline?

How much do you really need? Sometimes all of your old credit hours don’t transfer to your new school and sometimes life and work experiences can count for college credit. So (with help from a transfer coordinator or counselor, of course) find out what your expenses will really be before filling out a FAFSA application.“In the case of a college transfer, it’s important to have an idea of how much a new school will cost you. Ask for a degree audit before making any financial decisions and that will help you know how many more semesters you have. Knowing you have six more semesters, rather than four, could make a big difference when it comes to tuition.”Kathy Kurz, VP of Scannell & Kurz, Inc., a New York firm that specializes in higher education consulting services.

2.) Complete and file the FAFSA Application (or update the current form)

While filling out a new FAFSA application for the year, the student will need several important documents within reach:

Social security number

Driver’s license

Income tax return (yours and your parent/guardian; if you’re a dependent)

Bank statements

Investment records

College students must fill out a new FAFSA application form for every school year (For example, this year’s would be 2011-2012). A fresh FAFSA can be filed online after January 1 for the coming school year.

College Transfer?

If you’re beginning at a new school in the fall semester, a new FAFSA application will need to be filed, but a spring semester college transfer will only need to update the federal school code on the current FAFSA. This number is available on the school’s website, through their financial aid office or by searching the school name or location on the FAFSA site. If you’re unsure which school you’re going to attend that year, enter codes for every option. This way, schools receive the information before financial aid deadlines. You can always edit the FAFSA once a final college decision has been made.

Helpful tips as you fill out the FAFSA Application:

-     Read all directions slowly and thoroughly.

-     Note your state and school deadlines for filing financial aid. Apply early, if possible,

     before you even know if you’re accepted to a new school.

-     Estimate your income if you are unsure of the actual amount.

-     Do not use the term ‘N/A’ or leave a question blank.

     Both of these responses can slow the filing process.

-     Make sure you sign or e-sign all submitted documents.

-     Keep copies of your financial aid documents for future FAFSA filing.

-     For more information, check out: www.finaid.org/fafsa.

3) Sit back and wait for a Student Aid Report (SAR)

The FAFSA can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to process, depending on the time of year it was filed. When it is complete, the student will have a better idea of the tuition assistance he or she will receive, including grants, scholarships and work-study and loans.

Leah Stacy, a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College (www.roberts.edu), is a freelance writer, photographer and arts publicist.

Going to college wasn’t an option for me; It was my way out.

My strict, old-fashioned, Puerto Rican parents always instilled in my sister and me that college was the gateway to a better future—and a better life than they had lived. They were some of the most hard-working people I have ever known, but the money they earned was to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. Needless to say, they hadn’t budgeted for college. So when I started calculating room and board, books, lab fees and tuition costs, I quickly grew worried that, although I knew college was a must, it certainly wasn’t within reach. 

Fortunately, my grades were good and my high school counselor talked to me about AP and dual enrollment options at a nearby community college. This meant that as I finished up my high school requirements I could also work toward my first two years of college credits. The community college was an easy transition from high school because of its small class sizes and accessible faculty. And thanks to an agreement between the high school and the community college, my parents didn’t have to worry about the costs as long as I kept my grades up.

After finishing my first two years at the community college, I was able to successfully transfer every college credit to my school of choice, the University of Florida (www.ufl.edu), where I graduated two years later with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications. 

Although I did well in college, math was never my strongest subject. I guess that’s why I became an editor. But I did learn one equation that made college a possibility. 2 plus 2 can equal a degree if you lean on the experts, plan for the expenses, transfer college credits and work hard. 

Best of luck in your transfer. 

 Enid Arbelo Bryant is a freelance writer in Rochester, N.Y. Her mistakes are your good fortune, as she recalls her college years and what she wishes she knew then.

Transferring college credits out of state?

Transferring from one school to another institution of higher education doesn’t automatically tack on more time. But it certainly can if you aren’t diligent about your planning and research, particularly if you are transferring college credits out of state. These days, it’s not a given to plan to graduate from college in four years. 

In fact, on average, 48 percent of students graduate from private colleges in the traditional timeline and a staggering 27 percent graduate in four years from U.S. public institutions, according to the federal government’s college navigator website (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator). 

The top schools for best graduation rates include University of Virginia and the United States Military Academy. There are also some colleges who perform well in rankings and produce top quality graduates, who aren’t anywhere near a four-year graduation rate. 

What does that mean? 

Although it’s important to compare how colleges stack up against the four-year graduation rate, be objective in your research.Tom Delahunt, vice president for admission and student financial planning, at Drake University (www.drake.edu), says colleges can’t completely control graduation rates, but they do control some of the factors. 

“You have to ask yourself, ‘if I stay the path, can I graduate in four years?” Delahunt warns. On the other hand, if a college only offers a course once a year, that’s going to make accessibility a real concern. 

Make sure that the school doesn’t have any barriers to your goal, if you are transferring college credits out of state or in. “(Graduation rate) is also a financial consideration,” Delahunt says. The more time you spend at college, the more you will spend. If you don’t finish in four years, you’ll need to start researching how much the extra tuition and room and board will set you back and cut into the time you could be actually making money. So if cost is a variable in your college search, (and I’m sure it is!) make sure the school is going to offer opportunities to graduate on time. The rest is up to you. 

Here are some tips to keep you on track for a four-year graduation:

• Start early. Start thinking about transferring as early as possible and consider schools with an articulation agreement, which means they accept credits from your current school. 

• Four-year rate. Research the four-year graduation rates at schools you are interested in? What’s their graduation rate and compare it to other schools on your list. But don’t take the list at face value. Do a little digging to find out if your situation would be better off than the average.

• Make sure your credits count. Don’t waste time and money by taking courses that won’t transfer. Talk to the transfer coordinator at your target school, and make sure you’re taking the right classes. 

• Study all year. Summer break is great, but so is graduating on time! Take classes in the summer. It will be great to get courses completed and graduate on time.

Enid Arbelo Bryant is a freelance writer in Rochester, N.Y.

Prospective college transfer students may hear lots of funny acronyms, so we’re here to help decode some of the college jargon. Here are a few terms you should become familiar with as a college transfer student:

American Council on Education or ACE: This council reviews military training and other forms of credit-bearing experiences to see if they can be equated to college-level credit.

Accredited: An institution of learning is accredited when it is recognized as maintaining standards necessary for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve professional credentials.

Articulation Agreement: An articulation agreement is a formal agreement that allows credits earned in specific programs at community colleges to be accepted at another college or university. 

Credit/Semester hours: Credit hours are awarded to a student upon passing a course. Courses typically range from one to five credit hours.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Exams distributed by The College Board that can be used to fulfill requirements of your degree. The fee for the exam is $77. 

Transfer coordinator: A college transfer student’s best friend! He or she can evaluate your transcript and note if your credits will transfer, help you choose courses that fit your degree needs and be a trusted resource throughout the entire transfer admissions process.

The interesting and complicated part about transferring from community college is that you are already prepared for the search process. After all, finding and deciding on a four-year school is much like the original college search you went through two years ago. You had to consider size, location, programs, student body and even atmosphere. So you’re an old pro at that part. But this is where it gets complicated. 

You have to do all of that while still being fully engaged in your current school. Sure you have to plan ahead. But if you are too busy living in tomorrow, you will forget to embrace today. Many community college students don’t participate on campus, join groups or even make friends during their first two years. Your days on a community college campus may be numbered, but they are a crucial part of your next step. So make the most of those years.

Patrick Kotary, a transfer student at The College of Saint Rose (www.strose.edu), admits that being the new guy on campus can be a bit overwhelming. Getting acclimated with the new campus and its community is tough, and getting involved seems even more daunting. 

“It was sort of a challenge at the beginning to push myself to get involved on campus,” says Kotary, who majored in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. “But there are so many opportunities to become a leader on campus. You really just have to put yourself out there and look into those things and go for it.”

We’ve got a few tips, from successful transfer students like Kotary and admission experts, to help make the most of your community college years, while still preparing you for transferring from community college for the next two! You’re not in high school anymore. College admission representatives judge transfer students differently than high school students. The biggest issues for transfer students are college grades. The further you get along in the college-level curriculum, the less they care about high school grades, says Todd Johnson, an independent educational consultant based in Minneapolis. 

“The real focus needs to be on getting the best grades you possibly can because that will give you the most options on transfer,” Johnson says.

The counselors are your friends. Talk to your counselor, transfer coordinator or registrar. Tell them what your plans are. For instance, if they know you are expecting to transfer to a certain school, they can help get you on the right path early and ensure you are taking the right courses. Kotary strongly suggests taking a visit to the registrar’s office to dig into your transfer equivalency. These visits helped him stay on track and even graduate early! Don’t waste time trying to figure it out on your own. 

Lean on the experts. 

Financial aid is still a must.It’s no secret that transfer students seem to get less financial aid than freshman. That’s why you need to ask a lot of questions about aid early on, says Johnson. For instance, does the school you’re considering as a transfer student offer merit-based awards for transfer students, need-based aid and what percent of need do you require? “It’s all fine and good to apply to school, but if you really can’t afford to go, it doesn’t help you,” Johnsons says. Kotary adds that although a lot of the transfer scholarships are advertised as two-year awards, be sure to talk this over with the school? Sometimes the school will work with you to ensure you can afford more than two years if necessary. 

Do your own homework.

Remember those college fairs you attended in high school to help you decide on a school. Well, those don’t really exist at the college level. Sure there are a few, but most of the research will be gathered on your own. If there is a particular program you are interested in, make sure you investigate if it’s available. Don’t make assumptions about what colleges do or don’t offer. Also, talk to current students at the school. What do they like? What do they like least? How big is the department? Get to know the faculty and pay particular attention to the academic department you’re interested in. 

Schedule appointments with faculty. 

Are they accessible? Johnson says: If they don’t have time to meet with you now, how will it be when you are there? Just like you were warned before you made your first college decision, don’t make a transfer decision without visiting the college or university. Schools have personalities. You have to visit them, walk down the halls and get a feel for the campus.

What’s your timeline? Make sure the time you spend at your community college counts. What’s the graduation rate like at your transfer school? Is it four years or is it six? Johnson says you have to consider the time and money you’re investing when transferring from community college. 

“How many years are you going to pay for?” So think twice about going to a four-year school that won’t accept all or most of your credits. You don’t want to start worrying about the lost opportunity costs, which is the price of not being out in the workforce earning money and building your career. 

Transferring can be a bit of work, but it’s not impossible and it could be the right next step for you. Take Kotary for example. He’s set to graduate in December from his transfer school, earlier than expected and with more financial aid than his first school offered. So although he admits the transfer process seemed intimidating at first, he’s thrilled he made the move. 

“Don’t be afraid of the process. It’s a lot easier than a lot of people think it is,” he says. 

Transfer timeline

Here's what to do to prepare for a smooth transition

The sooner you start preparing for your transfer, the better. During your first year in college, start working toward your transfer process. Here’s a suggested step-by-step, although processes may vary from school to school. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your counselors and transfer coordinators early and often. They can help develop a personalized plan for success!

First semester

Start thinking about the transfer as soon as possible and gather as much information as possible. Not sure on a major? That’s OK. You can apply to the college and decide on a major later. But if you are confident in your major, apply specifically to that program.

Second semester

Look for scholarship and grant information. Keep in touch with the school to discuss awards. Email faculty and department chairs to get more information.

Third semester

Decide on a school and/or program. Apply and include a resume and recommendations. You want to stand out from the other applicants. Visit your transfer office for advice. 

Fourth semester

Submit your FAFSA (as soon after Jan. 1 as possible) and apply for any other need-based financial aid. Make sure your application is filed and all deposits are paid. Don’t forget to visit the campus and talk to other students, staff and faculty. Get ready for your big move!

Enid Arbelo Bryant is editor of the Transfer Guide. She transferred from a community college to the University of Florida for her bachelor’s degree in journalism.

First Semester• Start ASAP! Your process to transfer to another college should start when you begin your first semester at your two-year school.

• Start thinking about a major. Talk with counselors, faculty members and representatives of four-year colleges about what is available. Research potential careers to help your decision-making process. Talking to a career counselor can help you define your strengths and interests, which will help you choose a major.

• Apply to both if possible. If you have a major in mind and know where you want to transfer to another college, check into applying to a joint/dual-admission program. It guarantees your transfer to a four-year school if you perform well at your community college.

• Attend transfer fairs. Obtain information from many four-year colleges and universities. Also meet with any four-year college reps who visit your campus.

• Make an appointment with a career/transfer counselor.

Second Semester
• Get on mailing lists. At college fairs and other college visits to campus, sign up for college and university publications. Pay particular attention to the material about transferring your credits and majors offered. Once you’re on a mailing list, you will receive invitations to open houses, information about scholarships, and brochures that address the major you are interested in studying.

• Visit the library. Pick up some reference books to learn the
details about specific colleges. Search for colleges with your major at nextSTEPmag.com/Match.

• Start looking for money. Start your search at nextSTEPmag.com/Scholarships. Your college’s career/transfer center will also have information on transfer scholarships.

• Talk to some faculty. E-mail admissions offices and department faculty of the colleges in which you’re interested for information about degree requirements and deadlines.

Third Semester
• Keep your counselor/adviser in the loop. Discuss your transfer to another college plans with the faculty members at your two-year college. They are important resources.

• Apply as early as possible. Several colleges consider transfer applications on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. Planning to transfer in the spring? Apply no later than September or early October. Planning to transfer next fall? Apply by mid-November the year before.

• Create an application portfolio. Include an essay or writing sample that demonstrates your abilities.

• Submit a résumé. Have it critiqued first by a career counselor. Then ask some favorite professors to write you recommendations.

• Have an admissions interview so you can express your interest in a particular school. Interviews give admissions officers a sense of who you are beyond your college transcript.

• Ask your transfer office or career center for help in completing application forms. Also ask for clarification if needed and what other forms are required.

• Request your college transcript. Official copies of your transcript must be forwarded to the admissions office of the four-year schools to which you’re applying. Also send a cocurricular transcript if your two-year college makes them available. If you have attended other colleges, you must contact them and request that they send official transcripts as well. High school transcripts are not usually needed if you are transferring from a two-year college with an associate degree.

• Figure out what’s important to you. Identify the college characteristics you care about most. Use the following list to start:

• Public or private
• Rural, urban or suburban
• Geographic location and distance from home
• School size
• Undergraduate and graduate programs
• Full-time or part-time status requirements
• Costs
• Financial aid available, including scholarships
• Transfer student scholarship opportunities
• Housing
• Degree requirements
• Faculty-student ratio within major
• Clubs and organizations
• Recreational activities and intercollegiate sports
• Internship and co-op opportunities

• Obtain, preferably from a faculty member, a letter of recommendation if required by the transfer college.

• Apply for admission. Follow all application procedures, including filling out any program-specific application forms, and make sure you’re aware of all application deadlines. This is particularly important for high-demand programs.

Fourth Semester
• Apply for need-based financial aid. Fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, fafsa.ed.gov) as soon after Jan. 1 as possible.

• Visit the colleges to which you’ve been accepted. Schedule an appointment with an admissions officer three to four weeks in advance. Ask about opportunities to stay overnight in a dorm and sit in on classes. If you’re interested in a college sport, meet with the team’s coach. Also meet with a financial aid counselor if you have questions.

• Talk to other people. Contact alumni and current students to get their opinions of the school’s programs.

• Make sure your deposits are in by the deadline dates.

• Re-read your acceptance letter. Make sure you understand what you’re getting into. If you applied to a special program or major, make sure the letter indicates that you have been accepted into that particular program. Also check to make sure you have been accepted for the appropriate semester!

• Review your credit evaluation. If you have not received an evaluation, contact the admissions office and request one. The evaluation should state what courses will transfer, how they fit into your program and how many credits you will have remaining before you earn your bachelor’s degree. If you do not understand the document, review it with your transfer or career counselor.

• Read all your mail! Take advantage of the special orientation, advising and registration programs offered. Participation in these programs will help you understand the college’s environment, give you the chance to meet other transfer students and acquaint yourself with the opportunities available.

• Review your financial aid. Understand what each item in your package means and whether or not the package will be renewed each year. Understand your loans and what is involved in borrowing and paying loans back.

• The better prepared you are, the sooner you will feel comfortable at your four-year alma mater.

With contribution from G. Christopher Belle-Isle, director of the career center at Monroe Community College. Belle-Isle is a past president of the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association (NYSTAA), nystaa.org, which advocates for transfer students on two- and four-year campuses.

How to transfer colleges

When I drove up to the Towson University (towson.edu) campus for the first time, the air was crisp and the sun was shining bright, but a mixed cloud of melancholy and anxiety caressed my soul.

Questions of uncertainty continued to boggle my mind as I thought about how to transfer colleges. Would I fit in with everyone else? Would I be challenged by the curriculum? I began to feel a bit overwhelmed and nervous because I was embarking on a new journey—one that only transfer students experience.

Attaining self-confidence and celebrating my accomplishments as a college student became my first priorities and my biggest challenges.

Purchasing books from the university bookstore wasn’t as difficult as maneuvering around a campus with 15,000 other students. But my enthusiasm and desire to establish connections with my peers was never-ending. I joined organizations such as The International Student Association and CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ). As a result of getting involved, I attained a sense of comfort knowing that I could share my ideas about various topics and introduce my cultural background.

In addition to participating in extracurricular activities as a transfer student, I began to strive to establish close relationships with my professors by participating in class discussions and asking thought-provoking questions. I thought this would eventually increase my self-confidence and create a beneficial networking and support system.

That decision proved to be worthwhile when I requested academic reference letters for an internship.

Being a transfer student was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Realize that fitting in should not be your goal. Aim to share your unique talents and skills; they are bound to be acknowledged and appreciated.

That's how I transferred colleges.

Chrissy Diakokomninos, 24, is a senior at Towson University. Diakokomninos is from Baltimore, Md.