Thinking about Transferring Colleges? Five Tips to do so Successfully

Courtney Couch, a first-generation high school and college graduate who successfully navigated the college admissions process, shares her five tips to successfully transfer colleges:

1. Many community colleges are now offering Promise Programs that will allow students to attend full-time with tuition covered. This removes the financial burden of higher education for so many students, consequently creating a more diverse and collaborative learning environment. Community college is a great way to discover the right major and career path, especially when you are still finding yourself. 
2. Take the time to get to know your professors; they want to get to know you too! Office hours are essential to student success. 
3. Your school has an abundance of student success resources that are included in your tuition. Use them! Even in the era of Covid-19, schools are offering a full array of resources from virtual tutoring, counseling, health and wellness offerings, and online libraries/databases to career and transfer guidance. Take a moment to research your institution’s student success resources--you won’t regret it. 
4. Meet with your college counselor at least twice a semester to ensure you are on track to graduate. These can be booked well in advance, so it is important to be proactive. Your college counselor will help you understand your major requirements and your general education requirements. They will play an instrumental role in the transfer application process, and most importantly, they want you to see you succeed!
5. Get involved! Community college is for more than just finding your academic and career path; you should also use this time to discover your interests outside your major. Join clubs, give back to your community, and be active on campus. If you don’t find a club that matches your interests, create it!

If you are thinking about transferring colleges and/or have questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to ESM Prep’s resident expert on transfer applications, Courtney Couch (ccouch@esmprep.com).