Navigating the transfer process: Step 1-What do you want out of college?

Well I was supposed to be on my way to CSM-Prince Frederick but because they received 10 inches (!) of snow the opening was delayed so the Transfer Day was canceled.  Hopefully CSM-LaPlata will be opening on time and I will be there as scheduled tomorrow from 10am-1pm.

Instead, I have decided to write about navigating the transfer process.  I have blog about this before, but I think it can always be reiterated and not everyone reads the back blogs!

Transferring, at times, can be a tricky and stressful process for anyone and no matter where you plan on going. There are a few things to think about as you make your way through this transition period in your college career.  This will be a series of blogs to eliminate one very large post!  I will first talk about the first step you need take in the transfer process-basically asking yourself what you want out of the experience?

Often you have just gotten settled into life after high school and immediately everyone is asking you where are you going next? what are your plans?  what do you want to do with your AA degree-are you going to get an AA a BA..MA Phd. etc!?  The truth is it’s never to early to start thinking about those questions-as annoying as it can be coming from parents, teachers, older siblings etc.  I know from experience since my younger sister is currently a freshman at CCBC and often gets frustrated when we are constantly asking her those same questions.  This doesn’t mean that you need to know exactly what you want to do with your life!  Does anyone really know this-ok there are a few out there and that’s GREAT!-but even I am not sure exactly what my 5 year plan is going to look like!  Instead of panicking and working yourself into a frenzy just try to think about this as a fun process and know that there are people out there to help you during your transition (find out who these people are  in Step 2: Use your resources!)

First things first: remember what you did in high school when preparing for college?  Try revisiting this again.  Think about what you want and ask yourself: What do I want to get out of the college experience? Do I want to stay close to home or go away?  How far away is two far?  Is there a particular major or area of study I am drawn to? (if you know great!)  Am I looking for a large school or a small school?  Urban or Rural?  Once you have answered these questions you are already closer to finding your perfect transfer institution!  So even if you have decided to stay close to home (within 1 hour) there may still be a good amount of institutions in that area (especially if you are in the Baltimore/DC area!) narrow down by asking your self the more specific questions such as size, campus facilities, what programs they offer and pretty soon you will have a handful of colleges and universities that fit the bill.

Before you start applying the best thing for you to do is to start doing your homework and I don’t mean that English paper that you have been putting off (although when you are done reading this get on it!).  But find out all you can about each school-I recommend having at least 3.  Compare each school-do they have what you are looking for.  What is there to get involved in?  Do they have any open houses you can attend or other visit opportunities?

Once you ask yourself these questions and begin doing your research you are well on your way to making the transfer process as smooth as possible.  Stay tuned for the next installment coming soon: Using your resources.