A little over a year ago, I received my acceptance letter from the University of Michigan admitting me as a junior transfer student for the fall of 2025: a letter that has changed my life for the better. Making the decision to transfer was not easy, and the process of adapting to a new environment proved challenging, yet I would not change my path for anything.
I grew up near Ann Arbor, and even attended high school down the road from North Campus; I always admired how dedicated everyone was to their academics, their passion for athletics, and how proud they were to be a Michigan Wolverine. Upon graduating high school, I opted to go to school in Chicago, the out-of-state experience I needed to grow into the person I always wanted to be. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I fell in love with the city life and all that Chicago has to offer. However, I found myself wanting more out of my academic experience in college, which led me to revisit the university I had once deemed as too close to home.
My first week of classes here was difficult. The course rigor was more intense than I was used to, and I felt awkward in an unfamiliar environment. Still, I felt so affirmed in my decision to transfer. Despite the difficulty, everything felt right. My peers matched my level of academic dedication. The intense level of determination and drive on campus pushed me to be my best. However, do not be fooled by my overwhelming positivity. The adjustment period was miserable, and classes here are hard! Making new friends is challenging as well. Michigan’s social scene is much different than my previous school—it felt like learning a new language. Similarly, being unfamiliar with campus and the associated lingo (I still get CCTC and CCCB mixed up) made me feel like a freshman all over again. It was humbling, but it taught me to persevere and to set my own path.
My previous university did not have a football team, so I was beyond excited to attend my first game at the glorious Big House, and it did not disappoint. The energy. The packed stands. The sheer size of it all blew me away. And I’ll admit, singing Mr. Brightside with all of my new friends for the first time made me a bit emotional. Something that I always heard about growing up — and even glorified — was now my real life! It was in that moment that I realized the hard work to transfer had paid off.
My biggest advice to transfer students is to never be afraid to ask for help! There are so many transfer student resources and organizations to join. There is even a newsletter that gets sent out every week to transfer students with advice, events to attend, and helpful resources. Transfer Connections, a group that connects new transfers with a transfer student mentor, was a great way to find my footing and meet other students who felt the same way I did. I also found it helpful to discuss any knowledge gaps or uncertainties about my coursework with professors. They are all so willing to help transfer students; the professors here are some of the best and kindest that I have ever met. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but just know that you are not alone at Michigan! There is such a wide transfer student network and a large student body ready to welcome you.
Transferring to the University of Michigan was the best decision I ever made for myself. Whether you are a recently admitted transfer or are gearing up to graduate, I think that all of us transfer students would agree that it really is “great to be a Michigan Wolverine!”