If you are considering transferring to another college, then you probably have already identified the key signs that you should. This includes an unrelatable campus culture, the inability to pursue the major you want, it is too financially taxing, or you would rather be closer to home.
Whatever the reasons may be for your desire to transfer, you should make sure you understand what this will mean and if there are any negative consequences.
Rebuilding Your Social Life
If you are thinking about transferring to a different college that is not close to home where your friends may be living, or where your friends aren’t currently attending, then you will have to start from square one to build new relationships. Those that are more extroverted will probably have no problem doing this, but if you are more introverted, this may be a factor you should consider. Having friends to hang out with, study with, and help you out if you get into trouble can be an invaluable support system when you’re studying away from home.
Transferring Credits
Before pulling the trigger on transferring, you should make sure that your credits can be transferred. Furthermore, you should make sure they can be put toward the major you are seeking. Often times, you will lose out on credits because not everything can be transferred. This means that you will be attending college longer than most. If this is the case, make sure that you will have enough financial aid to cover it and if not, then you need to make plans to pay for however many semesters you may have left over.
Planning for Higher Costs
If you are thinking about moving to a more expensive college, then you should weigh the financial cost. Take a look at the major you are seeking and determine if it is worth the extra cost. You can do this by seeing how much you can potentially make after college with that major and what sort of career opportunities the school you want to transfer to may have. In some case, forking out more money for a certain major may be worth it. And if it ends up being too expensive, then maybe you should consider moving back to your home state where you can get the same major at a cheaper cost.
Prepare to Adapt Academically
As you might already know, not every college is the same when it comes to academic difficulty. For example, there is a bit of a difference between a Cal State and a UC school. The latter is typically more difficult academically, so you should make sure you research this aspect before moving. Also, it could take you a semester to adjust to this new academic landscape, and your grades may suffer for a bit. Prepare yourself for this situation so that when you do transfer you aren’t discouraged right out the gate.
Is Transferring Worth It?
Determining if you should transfer or not must be a decision you make for yourself. It is your college career, and it will ultimately affect you. Make sure you do all of your research thoroughly and understand what consequences may come from such a move. Only then should you make your final decision.
