As we begin the second half of the school year, some students are really settled into college, and some may feel that they are not in the right place yet. Transferring colleges can be overwhelming, daunting and, well, scary. You have to start the college search, application, and decision process all over again. I’m exhausted just thinking about it! As a student who has lived the transfer experience, I want to break down the most essential parts of the process and give a few tips on how to navigate the murky waters of the college admissions ocean.
- Make a pros and cons list
My transfer process was by no means a smooth one. I was questioning each and every decision I made, so do not be afraid if you feel conflicted. The best step I took first was to make a pros and cons list. The bullets on this list accumulated over time, and by the end of my search, it was multiple pages long.
Why is this so important? First of all, this list helps you figure out exactly what is “wrong” about the school you currently attend. Second, this list acts as your guide to identify exactly what to look for when researching other schools. So whenever you start to question if you are making the right choices, consult your pros and cons list to help clear up some of that anxiety.
- Make a spreadsheet
Once you know specifically what you are looking for, you can really begin searching. Making a giant spreadsheet with hyper-specific categories can help filter through each college and its individual statistics. Categories such as cost, size, demographics, study abroad opportunities, available programs, specific clubs you would be interested in joining, etc. are all really effective ways to determine what schools might be right for you. Bonus points if you color code the sheet! I also suggest putting the school you currently attend on that document to see how it compares to other schools.
- Ask for letters of recommendation early
You are going to need approximately two letters of recommendation to submit with each application. One of these letters of recommendation will have to come from a professor or advisor at the school you are attending currently, so finding a professor you can confide in about your decision to transfer is super important. The second letter of recommendation can be from anyone. I suggest asking a high school teacher or advisor who may have already written you a letter when you applied to college senior year. Regardless of who you ask, make sure you ask way before the deadline, so your recommenders have plenty of time to write a thoughtful and quality letter for you.
- Essays, Essays, Essays
The most daunting part of any college application is, of course, the essay. It is important to note that you will apply to most schools through the Common Application, but absolutely double check the university’s website to ensure you are reading the most updated essay prompt. Transfer essays are very different from traditional application essays.
In the transfer essay, the admissions committee wants to hear about why you are choosing their school rather than a personal or formative story that you might have written for your senior year college application. Make sure to mention specific programs and classes you are excited to participate in or clubs you look forward to joining. The more specific the better!
It is also crucial that you do not speak poorly of the school you are leaving and only highlight what you gained from the experience of attending that school and briefly, but positively phrase the reason why you want to transfer. Although the essay portion of the application is time-consuming, it is a really good way to get to know the school you are applying to. There were a handful of times where I would start to write an essay and realize that I actually did not want to apply to the school halfway through the essay.
- Finally, talk to as many other students as possible
Before you commit to any school, make sure you have toured the campus (if possible) and spoken with at least one student that currently attends that university. If the only student you can ask about the school is the tour guide, simply mention that you are a transfer student. This will make it more likely that the guide will give you their most thoughtful and honest answers about the school because they understand you are familiar with college life already. There are certain details you can not account for based on the school’s website alone, so it is important to talk to current students and get a feel for the school yourself in-person. As cliche as it sounds, a great thing to do is walk around campus and pretend you’re already a student.
All colleges have different transfer requirements and decision dates so it can be a long and confusing process. You will learn a lot about yourself and what you are looking to gain from the college experience. Hopefully these tips will help you to navigate the application process, but remember that no part of the application will make or break your acceptance.
While I was going through this process, I focused so much on what I was going to do next that I forgot to enjoy the rest of my time at the school I was leaving. As exciting as the future might be, don’t forget to enjoy where you are now in the process.
Wherever you end up, remember that the most special part about your college experience is you. As you make new friends, join new clubs, meet new professors and enroll in new classes, focus on what makes you feel most fulfilled. Your school might change, but the great parts of you don’t need to.