Center for Global Education | Help for Students - Colleges and Universities Respond

United States Colleges and Universities
Help for Student Victims of Hurricanes

Transferring schools

1. Introduction

Applying to a third institution as a transfer may be an option you are considering. There are a number of issues to consider when thinking about transfer, including requirements for transfer admission, how your credits will transfer, financial considerations and relocating again, among others. If you were not able to attend school this semester and want to start again at a new institution, you may have an issue obtaining records from your home institution, depending on the amount of damage that was incurred. It is important to act in a timely manner and start applying as soon as possible to increase your chances.

2. Resources for transfer

An excellent place for you to begin the process of transfer is Princeton Review’s article, The 8 Step Guide to Transferring. It offers some pros and cons about transferring, how to search for schools, financial issues around transfer and information about the application process. Read the first two steps below:

Step 1: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

If you're unhappy and thinking about transferring, try to figure out whether what's causing your angst is unique to your current school. Many students, especially freshmen, struggle with academics, romantic relationships, fitting in socially, and being away from home. Often, you can resolve these issues without switching schools. On-campus counselors can be helpful in these situations. Getting involved in activities and realizing that college can be a challenge for most students (you're really not alone!) also helps. Take a minute to ask yourself the following questions:

Am I certain that there is nothing I can do differently next year to improve the situation?

Are there advisors whom I have yet to consult?

Were the classes too easy/difficult for me? If so, did I try to switch into classes that might be better suited for me?

Did my living situation cause me stress or discomfort? If so, can it be changed?

Am I on the fence about transferring? Do I need more time to make this decision?

Step 2: Some Good Reasons

Sometimes transferring is the best solution. Perhaps you've found that you just can't find your niche at your current school, no matter how hard you try. Other good reasons to transfer are finances (your current school is too expensive and/or doesn't offer enough financial aid) or academics (your current school is too easy, too hard, or doesn't offer enough courses in a certain field of study). Can you answer "yes" to the following questions about your school?

Was the social environment radically different from what I expected?

Is there a particular major that interests me, that seems weaker than I imagined when I applied?

Is there a major or program that I am interested in that is not available at my current school?

Were there particular classes I was unable to take that I had planned on taking?

If you've answered these questions in a way that confirms you should go ahead and transfer (you've weighed the pros and cons, searched your soul and are already daydreaming of that college on the beach, in the mountains, upstate or wherever), read on. Although no school can offer the perfect academic and social experience that's free of struggles or disappointment, we are certain that for every student there are a few schools that are more likely to offer a fulfilling and meaningful college experience. (Princeton Review: Eight Step Guide to Transferring)

The College Board maintains an excellent site which helps students in the application process. Although you will not be applying to college for the first time, much of the information they provide may be helpful to you in the transfer process.

EssayEdge.com offers help with editing your transfer essay, whether it be for undergraduate, graduate, or professional school admission.

The Center for Global Education provides links to the homepages of U.S. colleges and universities as well as a direct link to their information about special assistance for students displaced by the Hurricane.

3. Area Resources

It’s important that students learn something of their potential new city so that they can understand the unique qualities of other cities around the U.S. Many college and university websites have information about the local city or towns in which they are located. Other websites that may be important to view include:

Citysearch.com has information about most large cities in the U.S. Search for general information about the city, services, weather, things to do, and any other information which may be of use to you when looking to relocate.

Infoplease.com lists information about the 50 states including history, points of interest, elected officials and other interesting tidbits.

Craigslist is a community forum connecting people and listing employment opportunities, classifieds, apartments for rent, items wanted and other information that may be useful to you. Go to the website and click on your city for area-specific information. If you are looking to relocate, you can browse for this information in the city you will be moving to, etc.

4. Student Stories

(from Pope,J. Some New Orleans Students Happy Elsewhere Associated Press, 11/28/2005)

…the question becomes, if students are determined to transfer, why force them to return to New Orleans at all?

That's what Amy McClendon, a Tulane freshman from Amite, La., who ended up at Harvard after a brief stint at Louisiana State University, is wondering. She wants to stay at Harvard but will have to return to Tulane and take her chances applying for transfer next fall (Harvard does not let any visiting freshmen apply to transfer). That would mean going back to be a new freshman-- for the fourth time.

"I don't want to have to go through it again," she said. "All my friends are here."

Another Tulane student at Harvard, Julie Hall, was so disheartened by conditions in New Orleans on a recent visit that she's applying to transfer to a third school, Wellesley or Washington University. Five of the seven Tulane freshmen at Harvard want to stay there, she said.

"I'm sympathetic to the (New Orleans) schools," said Hall, who says she has made great friends and been a crew coxswain at Harvard. "At the same time, it's my education and I should have the right to go where I want."

Neither she nor McClendon had applied to Harvard out of high school.

We hope that the campus you came from before the Hurricanes will reopen soon and you will be able to return if you wish to. Other options are available for you to take advantage of, and the information presented here will assist you in making the best decision.