Many students come to a point in their education when they decide to transfer colleges. Whether for financial reasons, academic purposes, or any other variety of reasons, transferring is very common among students. In 2018, UCF hosted 6,907 enrolled transfer students.
Even though it is common, transferring can appear to many as a large challenge. There are programs to research, transcripts to send, deadlines to meet, and more. Transferring doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here are a few tips to help with making your transfer experience easier:
Do Your Research
Transferring is a big decision, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve researched your prospective college thoroughly. Things you may want to consider…
- Does the school use semesters or quarters?
- Do they offer your degree program?
- What kinds of student organizations are offered?
- Is the program fully online, or will program visits be required?
These are just a few questions you’ll want to consider to make sure the college is the right choice for you. You can also reach out to admissions coaches or current students to see if a move is right for you. At UCF, success coaches are available to answer your questions and guide you through your application process.
Keep Track of Deadlines
After deciding to transfer, it is important to check your prospective school’s website regularly to keep track of any submission deadlines and/or changes. You may want to write down the date on a calendar, add it on your phone or computer, and set reminders to make sure your forms, transcripts and essays are all in by the due date.
Don’t Be Afraid to Apply
The No. 1 way to not get accepted to a prospective college is to not apply at all. Don’t be afraid to send in your application. Make sure all information and materials are collected, double-check all of the requirements, and then send in.
Keep Up with Forms and Transcripts
Be sure to check on the status of your application regularly. Even in the digital age forms can get lost, so it is important to keep track of the application status. Not only will this ease any stress of wondering if it’s been received, but you can also be aware of any extra forms needed or any issues you may need to address.
Look for Transfer Scholarships
There are many opportunities for scholarships created specifically for transfer students. Here at UCF, the Access 2 Opportunities (A2O) page lists all available scholarships and their application deadlines. There is also a search feature, which allows users to filter the list to specific opportunities for transfer students.
Familiarize Yourself with a New Platform
Once accepted, it is important to become familiar with the website and learning platform of your new college. Every school utilizes a different platform for both student services and learning. UCF utilizes the MyUCF platform and Canvas for online learning and introductory courses. Logging in for a little bit each day to look at the various tabs, customization options, and more will reduce stress later on when it comes to registering for classes, viewing fees, accessing the library, and more. If you find you need help, many colleges have live chat features so you can get redirected to the right place. UCF has its own Information Technology page with options to receive help with mastering the platforms. Additionally, UCF offers the UCF Mobile app, available in the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
Build Relationships
One of the challenges of transferring colleges is the initial feeling of isolation that comes with a new step in life. Building a support system is a great way to combat this. One of the first relationships you’ll establish in your new college is with your academic advisor or success coach, depending on the program your university has in place. UCF Online provides every student with a success coach, who is there to assist with any needs online students may have and to direct them to the correct department for their needs. They’re there to help, and they want to see you succeed. Your success coach will be present for your whole college career, so building a relationship with them early is a great benefit for both short-term and long-term goals.
Explore Resources
In addition to academic advisors and success coaches, many schools have various materials and resources available for transfer students to help make the transition as smooth as possible. UCF provides the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center, which supplies handouts, ways to connect with an advisor, access to technology resources and more, all designed by Transition and Transfer Services to help transfer students seamlessly begin their journey as a Knight. UCF also has a special webpage of Helpful Links for Transfer Students to guide new students through the process.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
When in doubt, ask. Advisors, coaches, librarians, and help desk staff are all there to offer support and assist students. Many of them may have been transfer students themselves and know what it’s like to be transitioning to a new school. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have a question.
Transferring can be difficult, but it doesn’t need to be. With some research and assistance, what may seem like a huge challenge may turn out to not be so bad after all. Explore more about UCF Online and the opportunities in store for transfer students at the UCF Online webpage.
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