Tips for the Transfer Student

The most successful transfer is the one that you prepare for.
You are considered a transfer student if you’ve been to college at any time in your life and are now enrolling in a different college.
Check the transferability of courses before you take them.
When presented with a list of available options, check to see whether you need a specific course rather than choosing any one that you please.
Get a good grounding in the basics — mathematics, writing, computers, etc. — before transferring will save time and money afterward.
A thorough preparation for your major is more important than fast action.
When opting for a change of major or occupational goal, the quality of the program you wish to enter is more important than the amount of credit you can transfer from your previous course work.
Your new college may place limits on the use of one course to meet several requirements.
Consult with your major department at your new college often.
The course that you want to transfer must be comparable to one in the new college’s catalog in: content, level of subject matter, number of credits carried, and standards of performance.
When transferring to a college that is on a different academic calendar from your previous college, watch for opening session dates, and find out on what basis credit hours or units will be calculated.
Remember that courses, even those required for the major, are often scheduled for only one term during the academic year.
Your academic plan and your financial aid package must mesh.
Defaulting on a student loan could be detrimental to your future credit rating.
Never send your only copy of any document — you may need it again much later.
Watch out for possible changes in the NCAA’s rules regarding the athletic eligibility of transfer students.
Consider the new college’s physical environment as well as its academic offerings.
It is the prerogative of the new college to determine how much transfer credit will be granted no matter what any other authorities have promised.
Applying on time is necessary if you want to make it to graduation on time.
Make use of campus-sponsored support services.