Students have many reasons for starting a four year degree at a two year school. A two year degree, commonly referred to as an associates degree, isn't valued among employers the way it used to be. To be competitive in the job market today requires one to have a four year degree, also known as a bachelors degree. Transferring to another University at the end of a two year degree has its advantages. It can save money or allow a student a little extra time to prepare before embarking on an expedition to a faraway college. Some schools are really difficult to get into as a freshman, but transferring in as a junior might be a surer bet. Here are some tips I found very useful in my own experience as a transfer student.

*DO YOUR HOMEWORK- You need to compare the track of your two year school with the track of any four year school you plan to apply to. Contact the admissions department of the four year college to be absolutely sure the classes you are taking at one school will transfer successfully to the other. Try to take all of the basic core classes, these usually transfer without any problem. Knock out your P.E., math, basic English, science, or any courses both schools require you to have. Take note of application deadlines and keep a calender marked with your charted timetable so you will be prepared to make the change from one school to the next as seamlessly as possible. Keep a folder of all your college paperwork along with the names and numbers of pertinent people you deal with in the process. Organization can make this so much more manageable.

*DO YOUR BEST WORK- A four year school will be hard pressed to deny any transfer student with an impressive academic record. Invest your time wisely at your two year school by giving nothing short of your very best effort. Involve yourself in honor societies or other valuable extracurricular activities at the two year school to make your application really stand out. It also helps to be able to succinctly and intelligently express what area of academics you are pursuing. A major university will want to know a little about your scholarly aim and most applications will have a question inquiring about this. Being able to give a solid answer here will be much to your advantage.

*DON'T PANIC- The process of preparing to apply to one school while attending another is twice as tedious and confusing. You may be filled with anxiety as you labor to meet the requirements of two institutions. Successfully making the transition will require more responsibility and tenacity then is required of a student who stays at one school. Just take a deep breath and take one step at a time. Stay on top of the situation and you will make it through. Be prepared for a little shell shock once you do move to a four year school. Often times an aggressive and dedicated student will become a big fish in a little pond at a two year college. You will feel like a tiny minnow in a vast sea for awhile at a four year school most likely. There are far more students, a bigger campus, different procedures, and consequently more red tape. Be sure to give yourself time to adjust. Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Tiffany Coley.
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