USU works hard to be 'transfer friendly' for students

By Stephanie Proctor

March 15, 2005 | "What's next?" This is a question thousands of college students ask themselves each year. A college transition, from one institution to the next, can sometimes be an uncomfortable process. For those of you who have been victims yourself, or who have heard horror stories know what a challenging nightmare it can be. Utah State University recognizes this challenge and has taken time to help make the process of transferring more successful and welcoming to students.

According to Jenn Putnam, associate director of transfer recruitment, USU brings in around 1,200 transfer students each fall and an additional 500 to 700 each spring. USU's new president, Stan Albrecht, said in his acceptance speech that one of his top 10 goals for USU was to "strengthen the recruitment."

Putnam believes USU can reach this goal because of its unique transfer process. "We are the only institution that has a Transfer Ambassador Team installed to specifically help meet the needs of transferring students," Putnam said.

The Transfer Ambassador Team consists of 15 students who have previously transferred from other colleges and universities. Members of the team are selected through a process of applications, essays, portfolios, and interviews to represent the university. The team is designed to recruit and assist prospective transfer students.

Brock Hedberg, president of Transfer Ambassadors, said, "Our team is here to answer questions students may have when they are thinking about coming to USU. We know what it's like to transfer and we want to make it as easy as possible for them."

If not done right, transferring from any school can be an overwhelming process. According to The Princeton Review, one of the most important things students can do to help make their process go more smoothly is to research their tansfer choices. The Review states that it is crucial for students to find an institution that meets their interests. USU has designed a number of transfer programs to help inform students so they can make an educated decision.

One of the programs offered is an Intent to Transfer Program. This is a guide designed to help students know what classes are accepted at USU before they transfer. Rachel Lewis of Transfer Services explained that the guides (articulations) are created for the top 17 transfer institutions to USU. Lewis also talked about the many different opportunities that transfer students could get involved in.

"This year we received a charter for Tau Sigma, which is a national honors society for transfer students," Lewis explained.

Programs aren't the only thing being offered, now more transfer students are eligible for scholarships. Putnam said, "the parameters have broadened, to include students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher." Putnam believes this is just another way USU demonstrates its "transfer friendly" attitude.

Jackie Ellis, a transfer student from Snow College, said, "It wasn't so much the great programs that helped me decided to go here, but rather the way people made me feel."

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