What do former Mavericks have to say about the transfer process to the university level?

1.    What was the most challenging part of transferring from LSC-Montgomery into your university program?

• Because I took summer classes until August, the fact that I was core complete wasn’t immediately available and I had to get several waivers to be allowed to enroll in specific classes. (John, SHSU, Major: Business, Class of 2016)
   
• For me, the most challenging part of transferring to Texas A&M was the time that they took to evaluate my application. Since I was trying to apply for a scholarship that required I receive notification of my acceptance by May 1, I got lucky and was notified early. However, lots of my fellow transfer students did not receive their acceptance until late June, or even late July. (Whitten, TAMU, Major: Communications/minor in Spanish)
   
• The most challenging part about transferring is making the adjustment from being at a school where you know everyone, or everyone knows you, to being in a brand new place starting completely fresh. (Gaby, ACU, Major: Advertising/Public Relations)
   
• Realistically, they are looking for students with a 3.8 to 4.0 Cumulative GPA. But your GPA is not everything. They put a lot of weight in the amount of community service that you have done as well as your essay. If your GPA is lower but you have completed a substantial amount of community service, you can still be considered. At A&M, reference letter are not really taken into account. It really will not help you if you have them, or hurt if you do not have them. (Matthew, TAMU, Major: Chemical Engineering)

2.    What do you wish you had known (while enrolled at LSC-Montgomery) that would have made the transfer a bit easier?

• Having a student in a similar situation available to discuss the process, classes and professors would have been a bonus. I did have great advisors at Lone Star so I wasn’t completely in the dark. (John, SHSU, Major: Business, Class of 2016)
   
• I wish I had known how important it is to register for the New Student Conference (NSC) early! Additionally, I wish that I had known how much I would really need a parking permit since I'm living off-campus. They're very expensive (around $500 for a year), so I didn't want to order one. By the time I broke down and decided that I needed one, I was put on a waiting list. I ended up buying a night permit, which actually turned out to be the best option for me anyway. It's about $90 and you're allowed to park in most lots from 5:00pm-6:00am. (Whitten, TAMU, Major: Communications/minor in Spanish)
   
• I wish I had known that just because you have your associates degree, doesn’t mean that you’re going to be okay credit wise for your degree plan. Because of this, I might now have to stay an extra semester than anticipated because I will not have ALL the required courses completed at the time everybody else in my year graduates. (Gaby, ACU, Major: Advertising/Public Relations)
   
• The most important piece of information I can give is about getting the information you need. The best person to talk to is an admission counselor. They have all the information you will need for transferring into that specific university. (Matthew, TAMU, Major: Chemical Engineering)

3.    Did you experience “transfer shock” when you transferred to your university?  If so, how did you experience & address the shock?

• I didn’t experience transfer shock due to the amazing staff at Lone Star Montgomery preparing me very well for the transition I was about to experience. Having the Woodlands Center for Sam Houston State right next door was a major benefit as well. (John, SHSU, Major: Business, Class of 2016)
   
• I definitely experienced transfer shock! My classes at Texas A&M are much harder than the ones I attended at Lone Star. It's hard to get used to studying almost the entire day, with absolutely no free time. The best way I coped with my shock was by realizing that this was now the academic expectation, and adjusting my lifestyle accordingly.(Whitten, TAMU, Major: Communications/minor in Spanish)
   
• I would definitely say I experienced transfer shock. I was totally out of my element, being away from home for the first time, and being in a place where I don’t know a single person. It was a lot harder than I had imagined, however, the “shock” disappeared once I started getting involved in student organizations, and now I’m always running into people that I know on campus. (Gaby, ACU, Major: Advertising/Public Relations)
• I personally did not have any transfer shock because I am older (32) and I have been to a university when I was 18. I will say that being able to manage your time is crucial at A&M. If you don’t, you will fail. The work load is extreme.  (Matthew, TAMU, Major: Chemical Engineering)

4.    How did/does your university address the potential transition issues that often impact transfer students?

• I can say that the Woodlands Center has a great “Student Success” office that offers every type of help you will need. (John, SHSU, Major: Business, Class of 2016)
   
• For my college, the College of Liberal Arts, I am required to complete a form where I have to meet my professors, go to certain student fairs for my college, etc. I have to get signatures when I go to verify that I actually did them. There is also the Aggie Transfer Camp (the equivalent of Fish Camp for transfer students) and the Transfer Student Program. I highly encourage any transferring Mavericks to utilize these resources! (Whitten, TAMU, Major: Communications/minor in Spanish) 
   
• Abilene Christian separated the transfer students from the incoming freshmen, so us transfer student were able to get to know each other, which was nice since we were all in the same boat. Also, the required classes for all students on campus, they put all the transfers together for that as well.  (Gaby, ACU, Major: Advertising/Public Relations)
   
• The University has a program that employees Peer Transfer Mentors. They are past transfer students who help answer any questions or address any problems a transfer student may have. (Matthew, TAMU, Major: Chemical Engineering)

5.    If you had a word of advice for a transfer student who may be considering your institution &/or program, what would it be?

• Relax! Enjoy the experience and don’t get to caught up in the details. I’ve learned that if you are persistent, regardless of the task at hand, things seem to work themselves out. (John, SHSU, Major: Business, Class of 2016)
   
• Get connected and utilize A&M's resources! There are over 1,000 student organizations and clubs, so there is something for everyone. A&M also has an abundance of really great resources, like the Career Center, MoneyWise Aggie presentations, free counseling services, and more!  (Whitten, TAMU, Major: Communications/minor in Spanish) 
   
• My advice is to definitely arrange to meet and sit down with your department Advisor, wherever you transfer to.  Make sure that when you transfer in, you're going to be on the path that you envisioned.  I just found out that I might possibly have to stay an extra semester to catch up on my courses that I missed my freshman and sophomore years.  The first two years of college is NOT just the basics.  For the most part, your major related courses begin freshman year.  So prepare for that.  Unfortunately, I never met with my department advisor, and I was never made aware that I was coming in behind the rest of the junior class, and did not find out until I scheduled my own appointment to speak with an advisor.
   
• Also, getting involved can make a world of a difference in your experience here on campus.  Get involved especially with at least one large student organization, such as Student Government.  This will open up the door to new friendships much easier, and definitely get your face to be more recognized on campus!
   
• Plus, be a part of something that you never thought you'd be a part of!  It's really cool to get a little out of your comfort zone and join something you'd normally never even think twice about.  These next few years will be the time where you'll make some of the best memories, make the best of it! (Gaby, ACU, Major: Advertising/Public Relations)
   
• My advice for someone wanting to transfer into the A&M Chemical Engineering program would be to develop the “good habits” at LSC-Montgomery before getting there. If you come up and party, you will fail. Everyone in my major studies every day because there is always something to do.  (Matthew, TAMU, Major: Chemical Engineering)