Improving Resume with College Transfer Experience

I transferred colleges once, and I'm wondering how to best highlight that experience on my resume. Should I mention the transfer directly, and if so, what details are important to include?

On a resume, if you're still in college, you should list both schools under your "Education" section. Start with your current institution, follow with the degree you're expected to receive, and include your expected graduation date. After that, list your transfer school, along with any significant achievements or involvements while you were there — such as honor rolls, important projects, or particular courses that might be relevant to the job you're applying for.

For instance:

University of XYZ (Current Institution)

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, expected May 2025

Community College of ABC (Transfer Institution)

Associate of Science in Computer Science, June 2023

In this section, given that you're still in school, you might not have date ranges for each institution. That's fine — you just want to ensure accuracy in terms of where you're currently studying and where you transferred from.

Generally, you don't need to explicitly mention that you transferred in your resume unless there was a compelling, relevant reason associated with the transfer. For instance, say, if you transferred to take advantage of a more comprehensive program that is relevant to the job or internship you're applying to.

Remember, too, that experiences at both colleges can be relevant and valuable. If you were part of a significant project, club, or position in your previous college, that can be detailed in the "Experience" or "Activities" sections of your resume.

Also, you can potentially explain your reasons for transferring in a cover letter or during the interview process if it aids in painting a picture of your trajectory and ambition. These are the platforms where you can provide your story, motivations, and demonstrate how these have prepared you better for the role you're applying for.

It's all about making your college transfer work as an advantage. Think about what you have accumulated in terms of skills, knowledge, and experiences from both schools, and how those could benefit your potential employers.