When Does A College Transfer Make Sense?

It is estimated that about 30% of college students will decide to transfer to a different school at some point in their college careers. Too often students switch schools for the wrong reasons and find that the grass is not always greener after the move. Here are a few situations in which a college transfer makes sense.

Financial Necessity
Some students simply feel that they can’t afford to stay at their current college. If you're feeling money pressures, be sure to talk to a financial aid officer or your family before deciding on making a transfer. The long-term rewards of a quality degree might outweigh short-term financial inconvenience. Also, realize that a transfer to a less expensive school may not actually save you money in the long run.

Up for the Challenge
If you are not feeling challenged enough at your current school, or you have you earned such high grades that you think you can win admission to a significantly better school, than transfer might be a good idea. A more prestigious college may be able to offer better educational and career opportunities. Remember, however, that being the star of the class at lower-ranked school can also have its own rewards.

Specialized Major
If you discover in your first few years of college that you want to be a zoologist, you might want to transfer to a school that specializes in animals. Similarly, if nothing will suit you but a career as an astrologist, you should transfer to one of the few schools in the country that offers such specialized training.

Family Obligations
In some cases, family has to take priority over school. If you need to be close to home because of a sick family member, transferring to a different school closer to home might make sense. Try to talk to your Dean first--a leave of absence is sometimes a much better solution.

Social Situation
Sometimes the culture at a college turns out to be the opposite of what you wanted. Maybe the seven-day-a-week party scene isn’t for you, or perhaps the opposite is true and you’d like a more active social life. College isn’t just about the academics, so in some cases like these, a transfer might make sense. Don’t jump too quickly though--make sure that the social group that you’re looking for doesn’t exist at your current school and try a change of friends first before a change of school.

Two Year Versus Four Year Degree - Decision Making Tips

In your senior year of high school, it's time to give considerable thought to the next major step in your life. For many students, this involves a decision about furthering their education and thinking about the kind of job they'd like to pursue in their professional life.

Students planning to attend college need to decide whether to pursue a two or four year degree. Here are some things to consider when deciding which type of degree is best for you.

1. Time and Expense - College costs money and requires an investment of time. A popular choice for many is to obtain a two-year associates degree and head right on into the workforce. For those who want to pursue their bachelor degree, it is always something they can do later if they choose. Two-year institutions offer a wide variety of vocational degrees, and opting for a two-year program saves both time and money.

2. Location - Where a school is located has a lot to do with cost as students may be in need of room and board. The majority of two-year colleges are geared toward commuting students, and usually they can live at home with their parents or find off campus housing in a shared roommate style environment.

3. Career Jumpstart - Many students don't want to spend four years in college. They prefer to get a degree quickly and land a job in the workforce faster so they can begin to earn money as soon as possible.

4. Four-Year Advantage - A four-year degree does take more time and more money, almost three times as much according to the College Board. However, there are some employers who favor a job candidate with a bachelor degree, and often times those with the higher degree do receive higher salaries depending on the type of degree and job position.

5. Area of Study - Not all areas of study are available in a two-year degree, so what a student plans to pursue will have something to do with the option chosen. There are also some degrees available in both associate and bachelor programs. For instance, a registered nurse can have an associate degree, a bachelor degree, or an advanced degree, and in most areas the nurse holding the associate degree earns the same salary as someone holding the bachelor.

There are several factors to be considered when choosing the type of degree you plan to pursue, and there are definite advantages to both types. A bit of research and planning is necessary in order to place yourself in the program that is right for you.