If I could go back in time, there are a few things I would have done differently as I was preparing to transfer colleges.
I am glad I chose Whittier College, but I feel my search could have been more efficient if I had a stronger idea of the type of college that I wanted to transfer to from community college. Doing your research early can save you a lot of time.
One of the main things I would have done differently is to get familiar with potential colleges to transfer to as soon as possible, because the university systems may have different requirements than private colleges. If I knew early on that I wanted to transfer to a college like Whittier instead of a UC or Cal State, I could have taken less classes or different classes that would transfer credits for requirements at Whittier. My advice would be to start researching small private colleges and large public schools to get a sense of which school would be a better option. The sooner you have an idea of your potential school, the easier it would be to figure out which classes to enroll in that will transfer.
Deadlines are another thing I would have been more aware of. I waited too long to meet with admission counselors and delayed scheduling a tour of the schools I was interested in because I was undecided on where I wanted to go. I had to quickly look into meeting with a counselor and visit Whittier College to make sure it was actually a school I would want to attend. So, maybe keeping a calendar with important dates and deadlines of all of the schools you are interested in can help avoid rushing the process.
Another thing I would have done differently is looking at class schedules available. Transferring from a community with thousands of students meant a lot of flexibility with class scheduling, such as early morning classes from 6:30 a.m. to evening classes at 8 p.m., as well as online classes in almost every subject. Transferring to a college or university with a significantly smaller student population meant there wouldn’t be as much flexibility with my class and work schedule. Adjusting your schedule is something you have to keep in mind if you work or have any other priorities.
I transferred to a local school, so I am a commuter, but something else to consider is the location of the school and the opportunities for internships and jobs in the field you are studying for near that school. Whittier College is conveniently located between Orange County and Downtown Los Angeles, so there are many employment possibilities. There are also part-time jobs for students living on campus near the school at The Quad shopping center or in Uptown Whittier. Location is a big factor for both commuters and students living on campus and you can see what is surrounding your potential schools on google maps or see how far a commute would be to different types of jobs and internships you would be interested in.
Overall, If I could go back in time, I would have prioritized my time better to make the transfer process a lot easier for myself.
