Transfer Time, Panthers! Are You Ready?
By Loureyna Pablo
Congratulations on getting accepted! Now that you have reached the final stretch of the process, it is time to check if you have everything you need. Are you ready to transfer?
Are You Ready… To Commit?
Much of the transfer process requires students to commit to a school first. It is important to pause and compare options. Which school community will help you grow? Are your credits transferable to this college? Discussing with a counselor, friend or someone trustworthy can help you decide your priorities.
Colleges may repeatedly send emails reminding students to accept their admission offer. It is also possible to search up the school’s “admission acceptance” page.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: The bottom of an email from Cal State San Bernardino.
You will also have to create an account for the school if you have not already. This will grant access to accepting the admission offer, sending in transcripts and reviewing financial aid.
Are You Ready… For Transcripts?
Chaffey College’s self-service page (found within the MyChaffey dashboard) is where to start. Students are led to the Parchment website to order an official transcript, which includes choosing when Parchment should send it and for what reason. There will be an option to send it to yourself, but most colleges reject transcripts sent personally.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: How to order your official transcript from the self-service tab.
There is a wait until the transcript is sent. The notification arrives via email. It is recommended to check emails daily to ensure the order goes through. Sending the transcript well before the school’s deadline (often posted on their website) is the best practice. Parchment has the options to automatically send the transcript once grades are posted and after the degree or certification is posted.
To access an unofficial transcript for personal reasons, you can find it on the self-service page.
Parchment tutorial videos provide a comprehensive walk-through for the entire transcript process, and Citrus College also has a similar explanation video.
Are You Ready… For Financial Aid?
Submitting your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step to acquiring financial aid. If you have not completed the FAFSA yet, it is important to do so soon. Financial aid is typically provided on a first come first serve basis. Waiting to file means missing out on more grants and scholarships.
While the FAFSA is not available for undocumented students or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, there is still the possibility to receive aid. Applying for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) gives options for grants, fee waivers and scholarships. The website for the California Student Aid Commission provides a thorough explanation of the CADAA.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: How to start filling out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Because acceptance letters for some schools are released later for transfer students, financial aid packages may also arrive late. For those who are waiting to commit based on financial aid, there can be some conflict with deadlines. Research into your options can help estimate a rough idea of how much different colleges will offer.
Are You Ready… To Find Housing?
After an account is created for your school of choice, there is a portal to submit a housing application. Housing provided by the school is also a first come first serve basis, so researching the best on or off-campus housing should start soon after your acceptance.
There is no guarantee for housing either, so having options is a must. Some schools, like UC Santa Cruz, provide their students with a timeline with important dates for housing.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: What getting started with the housing application typically looks like.
Are You Ready… For Deadlines?
Staying on top of deadlines for committing, transcripts, financial aid, housing and more is important. Sometimes, it is important to focus on when applications open, especially for things on a first come first serve basis.
Are You Ready… For a Fresh Start?
For some, the transfer may feel like having to start all over again. From different academic systems to new classrooms, there is a lot to learn besides course material. If you have not already, scope out the campus life and what is around. Find clubs to join and start building your community.
Some schools allow you to connect with other new students on an app like Nearpeer. Fellow transfer students can also be allies who understand your experience. Having a network can help make the transfer process feel more manageable.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: Some colleges like Cal State Northridge use apps like Nearpeer to connect their students.
Are You Ready… To Check Off All Your Boxes?
For more personalized assistance, students can look to the Transfer Center. Chaffey has a variety of resources on campus for students who intend to transfer, and many more exist on the internet. Questions specific to the school you are transferring to can be answered from the institution themselves. Websites like BigFuture promote scholarships for transfer students as well.
Screenshot courtesy of Loureyna Pablo: The Transfer Center page for Chaffey College.
The transfer experience will look a little different for everyone. Regardless, things like financial aid and deadlines are still important to have sorted out. How ready are you?