How do transfer students compare colleges?

For transfer students, what are some good strategies to compare potential colleges? Should I be focusing on course feasibility, campus culture, or other aspects when considering where to transfer?

When comparing potential colleges as a transfer student, you should consider several factors. While some of these factors are similar to what a first-year applicant might focus on, there are other factors that are more specific to transfer students.

1. Credit Transfer: First, look into each school's credit transfer policies. Some schools might accept more of your existing credits than others. Part of this will also depend on your intended major; even if a school accepts most of your credits, they might not all count toward your major. It can be frustrating to find out that many of your credits won't count towards your graduation requirements after transferring, so this should be a priority in your research.

2. Academic Programs and Faculty: Review the academic programs and courses available at each college. Are there enough courses of interest to you? Do they seem engaging and in-depth? What is the reputation and standing of the program you're interested in? Access to renowned faculty in your major can also enrich your learning environment.

3. Fellow Transfer Students: Another important factor to consider is how the college handles transfer students. Some colleges have large transfer cohorts and others only take a few transfer students. A school that admits a higher number of transfer students may have more resources available to assist transitions, such as orientation programs or transfer-specific advisors.

4. Campus Culture: Next, consider the college's culture and whether it feels like a good fit for you. What are the values, spirit, and community like? How are the dormitory life, clubs, and organizations? You can learn about this from virtual tours, college fairs, chat rooms, and asking current students.

5. Financial Aid and Costs: Check the tuition fees, living costs, and the financial aid offered by each college. Some colleges offer generous financial aid to transfer students while others do not. It’s also worth mentioning that financial aid for transfer students can be different from those for first-year students.

6. Graduation Rate for Transfer Students: This can give you a glimpse into how supportive the college is toward transfer students - a high graduation rate indicates that transfer students are generally able to achieve their academic goals.

7. Location: Consider the college's location and how well it suits your lifestyle and career ambitions. It might be ideal to be in a city related to your field of study, for example, finance in New York or tech in Silicon Valley.

In summary, while course feasibility is indeed important, so too are factors like the number of credits that transfer, the college's resources for transfer students, and the overall culture of the school.