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.

Attend Campus Open House Events

Families find few decisions more difficult than that of selecting the right college or universities. Both students and parents may have schools that they prefer. The more that you know about an institution of higher learning, the more likely you are to make a wise decision. There are a number of different ways to gather information about specific schools.

You can do research to discover what types of degree programs that are available at each school on your list. This helps you when it comes to selecting a major or even pursuing a career. There’s nothing quite like visiting a campus. This allows students and parents to get a feel for the institution. At the same time, they are able to see for themselves what is offered. Open House events are great tools when it comes to making your selection.

Touring the Campus

Most colleges and universities these days offer Open House events to families. This offers them a way to connect with potential students. At the same time, this is an opportunity for them to show off the best that their campus has to offer. There are a host of events scheduled during Open House. You will have the chance to tour the campus itself, as well as, dorms and class buildings. Families also visit dining facilities, gyms, and other locations on campus.

Choosing a Major

One of the key factors when it comes to choosing a school is the major programs that are offered. Some students enroll with their major already in mind. Many other students select a major after their freshmen year. Open House events are designed to show families the majors that their schools have available. These events often include presentations by individual departments, which provide students with even more information.

Understanding the Cost

Tuition is definitely one of the critical factors when it comes to selecting an institution. Open House events allow families to understand exactly what the tuition includes. They will learn about the cost of classes, room and board, as well as, meal plan options. Comparing this information from university to university can help you to make your decision.

Open House events allow families to come to campuses to visit. These visits are normally a day of fun and excitement. They can be beneficial even if you think you know the details about a school. Meeting staff and instructors is another bonus when it comes to attending an Open House. Oftentimes students are able to make a final decision about an institution by simply visiting a campus setting.

How Important Are College Campus Visits?

One of the frequent questions I get asked by parents and students is “Do I really have to go visit the campus?” With most colleges offering full multi-media presentations on their websites, including virtual tours, it may seem like a waste of time to visit the campus itself, especially when consider an out-of-state or remote college.

Here’s why college campus visits still make sense:

Videos May Not Tell the Whole Story

Keep in mind that the virtual tour you watch has likely been shot in ideal circumstances and edited to show the campus to its best advantage. What the video may not show is crowded study space at the library, long line-ups at the cafeteria or book store, or poorly maintained classroom spaces. Similarly, you may see something in the video that worries you, such as ongoing construction in the background, only to find on your visit that it’s no longer a concern.

You Need to See More Than the Campus

Unless your child is planning on living in residence and will never set foot off campus  except to go home at Christmas (rarely the case), you and your child will want to get to know the residential and commercial area around the college. Is the area safe? What are the transit options? Is there easy access to a local bank/grocery store/pharmacy, etc? Your child will be spending the next several years living in this area; take the moment to consider if the general community is a good fit.

It Goes Both Ways

It isn’t just that students should go to campus visits to see the campus; it’s that the campus visits give admission staff a chance to see the students. Your child has a golden opportunity to meet with upper-year students in the same program and ask questions, or to be introduced to professors and make a positive first impression. Demonstrating interest and enthusiasm during a campus visit can be a key factor in the college admissions process later on.

Campus visits may be time consuming, especially if you haven’t narrowed down your focus to a short list of top-choice colleges, however it’s invaluable for making the decision as to what college is best for you.