5 Reasons It’s OK to Transfer Colleges

By Deema Al-Rasheed

I am an international, transfer student. I obtained an associate of arts degree from a community college after moving to Texas, and I can honestly say transferring to a four-year university to get my bachelor’s degree was the best decision.
The University of St. Thomas makes the transfer process easy for students. UST offers personalized campus visits and transfer orientations. The transfer admissions staff also works closely with incoming students to ensure an easy transition.

Sometimes change is the greatest thing you can do for yourself. It allows you to grow outside of your comfort zone, meet new people, and discover all the things you are truly capable of. Below are a few reasons other students decided to transfer, too.

1. The new school feels like home

Alyssa Barnes moved from a small city in Detroit to a college in Fort Worth, Texas, but she felt alone for the first year until finding and deciding to transfer to the University of St. Thomas.

“I felt as if I was Nemo lost in the ocean until I visited UST,” Barnes said. “The process was aided by my admissions counselor, who had an abundance of patience as I emailed her question after question. Finally, I felt at home. Go where you feel at home, because you will spend more time on campus than off.”

2.The professors are committed to students’ education

If you are worried about class sizes that are too large, then choose a smaller, private university. Michael Erwin transferred to UST from Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

“At Lee, the classes ranged from 15 to 30 students, allowing for greater access to professors who encouraged learning,” Erwin said. “I remembered that the University of St. Thomas, a school I had been considering for some time, had the same teaching philosophy. My friends who go there absolutely love it, and I am Catholic, so it seemed like a fit.”

3. Change can be good at any stage of life

Vladimir Davidiuk Jr., decided to return to attend college after the economic downturn in 2010 cost him his job.

“As an operations manager for three years with the firm, I certainly had the experience and know-how to do my job well,” Davidiuk said. “What I lacked, however, was a degree.”

Davidiuk enrolled full-time at Houston Community College and then planned to transfer to a four-year university.

“As the first person in my immediate family to attend college, I felt the immense pressure of being both a trailblazer for my younger siblings and the bearer of hope for my parents,” Davidiuk said. “I soon realized I had nothing to fear. The admissions counselors answered every question about my transfer and ensured the process was effortless. The academic advising office made certain that I was enrolled in the right classes, and my professors all took the time to make sure that I had the opportunity to excel in my courses. Each of these was something I hadn’t experienced during my application process to any other university.”

4. There is support for veterans

Robert Ramirez transferred to UST in fall 2014 from Lamar University. Ramirez said he chose UST because of the University’s notable philosophy and theology departments and its reputation for supporting veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Ramirez also said his most valuable experiences at UST have been attending Mass in the Chapel and learning in the classroom. He plans to go to law school with a particular interest in constitutional law, criminal law and ethics.

5. More campus resources are available to students

Jazmin Osores ’14, a first-generation student, stresses the importance of all students using the on-campus resources including the Tutoring Center and Counseling and Disability Services.

“These resources not only help us academically but also emotionally,” Osores said. “I transferred from another campus and my previous school did not emphasize the importance of these resources like they do here. Some of us may not be prepared to face this alone and need to talk to someone. Some of us might feel overwhelmed by the amount of coursework. Others might need help with the job-seeking process. UST staff members are willing to help.”

Learn more about transfer admissions at University of St. Thomas.