If you are a freshman student, you probably asked yourself this question a couple of times. Should I stay or should I apply to an American university? Research shows that 25% of students who enroll in a 4-year program, transfer at some point because the college no longer fits their needs.
Students decide to transfer to other institutions for many reasons, sometimes the college doesn’t offer the major they want, other times they cannot socialize with their colleagues, and often their family’s financial circumstances change, and they have to adapt.
When this question keeps coming, you start thinking about the possibility to apply for a transfer. Don’t make any decision before thoroughly considering the changes it will bring to your life.
There might just be the adjustment period you need to overcome
Don’t hurry to apply for a transfer during the first months because it may take you some time to adjust to college life. During this time, you can research to find out if the new school will erase the course work at the current school. It’s thrilling to think about the possibilities of travelling to the 美国留学 brings, but make sure the new institution accepts all your credits.
Transferring colleges is similar to changing majors, you can lose some credits, and you need to determine if this will affect you in the long run. The average transfer student takes an extra three months to graduate than the no transfer one.
Can you leave your social life behind?
You probably made friends during your freshman year, so are you ready to leave them and travel to the USA? At the new school, people already know each other and have created connections, so it may be difficult for you to grow friendship relationships. Sometimes people aren’t open immediately to include new students in their groups, and you must be ready for this.
If you are a patient individual and social connections don’t matter too much, then transferring to another college may not impact you.
Does your family afford to pay extra expenses?
Transfer students take longer to graduate, so your family has to pay for more tuition costs. You may even need a student loan because they cannot cover all expenses. Check ahead the average price for studying abroad, and get in touch with the college you want to apply for to find out if they ask individual fees for international students.
Find out if the college has aid packages or scholarships for foreign students and if you qualify for one. Inject some research into your decision making because it can change your life.
Studying in the USA comes with many opportunities, especially when your present school doesn’t provide the significant program, you’re interested in. But you must consult with your family to find out if they can provide financial support for your studies.
And don’t forget that you can change the college, but you cannot change who you are, so ensure the institution is fit for your lifestyle.
