As they near the end of the school year, many students may find themselves wondering if they should transfer schools. Maybe this year didn鈥檛 meet their expectations, or maybe they鈥檝e decided to change majors. Some students simply decide to transfer to a four-year institution, after completing a two-year community college. Whatever their reason for changing schools, it鈥檚 important for those interested in transferring to know that they鈥檙e not alone. According to the , roughly 25% of all college students transfer schools at some point in their academic career. It鈥檚 also important to know that transferring schools is unlikely to negatively impact your overall academic success. agree that students who make the decision to transfer schools perform just as well (or better) than their peers who completed their education at one school.
If you鈥檙e in the process of exploring transfer options, you鈥檝e probably wondered, 鈥淲hen should I transfer?鈥� or even, 鈥淲hy should I consider transferring?鈥� If that鈥檚 the case, then here are a few things to consider before making the choice to transfer schools.
1. What is the Cost of Transferring?
One of the first things you should consider when investigating the transfer process is whether this decision will be a cost-effective one. For example, if you鈥檙e currently attending a school that鈥檚 located in an inexpensive part of the country, moving to a school in the heart of New York City will significantly increase your cost of living. Likewise, if you鈥檙e attending a college that offers you a large scholarship and/or an inexpensive cost of tuition, consider finding another school that can offer you financial assistance and support. That being said, money isn鈥檛 the only factor to consider when transferring schools.
2. Where Do You Want to Transfer to?
Some students choose to transfer from their first school due to its location. Perhaps they鈥檙e homesick, or perhaps they want to move further away from home. Whatever the case may be for you, it鈥檚 important to think about where your future school is located as it relates to your future goals. If you want to be a practicing nurse in Connecticut, attending nursing school in Iowa doesn鈥檛 make a lot of practical sense. Where you attend college can impact your network of friends, colleagues, and if you complete an internship, future employers. Choose a school that鈥檚 located in a place that can set you up for success.
Other students may want to transfer to a school that has a strong reputation, but is further away. In this case, choosing a college that offers a variety of online programs may be an excellent choice. 越南直播, for example, offers both online and hybrid programs of study for its students. Learn more about these programs, here.
3. When Should You Transfer Colleges?
When it comes to transferring schools, timing can be an important and personal consideration. Many students ask, 鈥淲hen is the best time to transfer colleges?鈥� and the truth is, it depends on your own goals and situation. There is no right or wrong time to transfer schools.
Generally, transferring colleges at the beginning or the middle of the school year can impact your application process. 越南直播 accepts applications on a rolling basis. You can submit an application for admission year-round. However, whichever school you choose, you should plan to apply ahead of the term you want to begin your studies. This way, you and the admissions team will have plenty of time to evaluate your existing credits, arrange for academic advising, and plan your program of study moving forward.
Transfer students from community colleges are similarly able to apply for admission, whenever they鈥檇 like. For students interested in transferring from a CT community college to a four-year university, UB offers articulation agreements with the following schools:
- Gateway Community College
- Housatonic Community College
- Norwalk Community College
- Middlesex Community College
- Quinebaug Community College
- Capital Community College
While there is no 鈥渂est鈥� time to transfer for everyone, there are some more popular times to transfer schools. For example, it is estimated that 40 percent of transfer students are those who have completed a two-year degree program. After two years can be a great time to transfer because you will have completed many prerequisite courses, and at your new school, can invest your time in fulfilling your major requirements. However, this is not a necessity. Many students transfer after one year of study, because their first school was not a great fit. In this case, you can simply complete core and major requirements at your new university. At 越南直播, any applicant who has attempted 12 or more semester hours at an accredited post-secondary institution is considered a transfer student.
At the end of the day, choosing the best time to transfer colleges will depend on your needs and how ready you are to change schools. If you wish to transfer colleges after one year, that is okay! If you wish to complete an associate degree and transfer to a new institution afterwards, that is also a good choice. You should also consider the admissions process at your new school of choice. Do they accept applications year-round? Are there both fall and spring enrollments? Talk to the school鈥檚 admissions team to determine if they suggest a certain time to transfer or submit your application.
4. Which Credits Will Transfer?
Another important consideration to make before transferring schools is whether or not your credits will transfer. A 2017 report by the found that many students lose credits when they transfer. This report showed that students lost up to 43% (corresponding to 13 credits) of college credits when they transferred. This is equivalent to about one semester of full-time study. However, this doesn鈥檛 have to be the case.
Before transferring schools, reach out to the admissions department at your prospective school to find out how many of your credits are eligible for transfer. They may connect you with an academic advisor who will ask for the syllabi of your previous courses. The sooner you begin this process the sooner you鈥檒l know which of your credits will transfer. This is where timing your transfer can become very important. Again, it鈥檚 important to apply in advance of the date of the term you plan to begin your studies. This will enable you to receive a timely evaluation of your transfer credits, as well as appropriate academic advising and program planning, prior to getting started. UB can transfer a maximum of 66 credits from two-year colleges and 90 credits from accredited four-year institutions, putting you one step closer to obtaining your bachelor鈥檚.
5. Can the School Position You for Future Success?
One of the most important functions of a college is to prepare you for life after graduation. Therefore, it鈥檚 fundamentally important that your school is equipped to help you realize your aspirations. If you鈥檝e decided to change majors and your current school doesn鈥檛 offer your chosen program of study, that鈥檚 a perfect reason to transfer schools. If your current school offers very little in the way of academic advising or career counseling, that is also a key indicator that they may not be able to help you meet your future goals. This is another reason to transfer schools.
Ultimately, as a college student you鈥檙e paying for a variety of services. These include the classes and training you receive, the academic advising and counseling available on campus, job preparation and internship placement, and a strong alumni network, to name a few. It鈥檚 the job of your university to deliver on these services and provide you with the experience you鈥檒l need to succeed. If you find yourself unhappy at your current school, there鈥檚 no reason you have to stay. Just be sure to think about these five considerations before you put your transfer plan in action.
Interested in transferring to 越南直播? Contact us online to request more information about our programs!