Applying to transfer to a college is a gruesome task for anyone and everyone.
Students transfer colleges for any number of reasons: personal life changes, shifting educational needs, or dissatisfaction with their current institution. The list can go on and on. Most of the students here at Salt Lake Community College transfer once completing their associate degree, but some don’t even know where to begin when deadline for transferring to a four-year quickly approaches.
“Things to consider when preparing to transfer include understanding the timeline to transfer; which would include applying as early as possible to the transfer school, requesting official transcripts from Salt Lake Community College, applying for financial aid and scholarships, and attending orientation at the transfer school,” says Verl Long, assistant director for Academic and Career Advising. “Preparation is key to transfer, so it is important to explore and, if possible, visit all the schools that might be a good fit and then narrow your choice to a few schools to submit an application.”
Sometimes it seems that students are caught in the crossfire of institutions. Some colleges accept specific courses, others don’t. Some credits will count towards your major, but others will be deemed electives. Students are given the responsibility of making sure they know their academic path is correct. Many people have been lost in the “transfer maze” and it is completely understandable.
“Students should work closely with their program advisor at SLCC and with the school(s) they may transfer to, to make sure they have a good understanding of what they need to successfully transfer,” emphasizes Long.
Sarah Hall, a student at SLCC who plans to graduate this spring semester, is transferring to Utah Valley University in the fall and is seeking a degree in Digital Marketing.
“Honestly, I haven’t personally struggled with applying and transferring, but that is only because my advisors here at SLCC have guided me through the process,” Hall states. “UVU is also really good at communicating what needs to be done.”
A simple Google search on transfer deadlines for the college you are thinking about is a good start to getting an idea on what needs to be done.
SLCC academic advisors and the Transfer Center can also assist SLCC students in the transfer process. In addition to hosting transfer events on campus, the Transfer Center has a FAQ page that covers a lot of common questions students have.
Utilize the tools here at SLCC and communicate any problems you are having. It will save you time and money and make life a little bit easier.
