It is a sometimes overlooked fact that nearly one quarter of the incoming class at the University of Mary Washington each fall will be transfer students, both from the Virginia Community College System and from other two- and four- year schools. That number is likely to grow in the coming years.
Transfer students correctly assume that they “understand” and “get” college. Transfers bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences from their former schools. This is one of the many things that makes working with transfer students interesting and rewarding. As we help transfer students transition into UMW it is important to impress upon them that, while their backgrounds are full of higher education experience, any new institution will have different expectations, resources, traditions, and campus culture. Learning how to navigate these new opportunities is critical to the student’s academic success.
At UMW, we recognize the anxiety of the first few weeks as a new transfer student transitions from one school to another and we work to mitigate that with resources and programming. We continue to build that support system through the first semester. Below are a few of the cost common pieces of advice I share with transfer students and I encourage you to do the same:
- Attend class and participate! This may seem obvious but something as simple as attending class may prove elusive. Successful students, with the “growth mindset,” understand that being present and asking questions is a way to learn and improve.
- Introduce yourself to your professors! UMW is a relatively small school and faculty members who chose to teach at UMW understand that teaching is a priority. The faculty to student ratio low. Faculty members know the names of students and know when students do not attend class; they also know when students are not engaging in the life of a class.
- Participate in the Transfer Semester Experience. The TSE is a series of workshops, tours, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to help orient new UMW transfer students. Since not every student will need every topic covered, we encourage students to attend as many as they would like but students are required to attend at least three.
- Take advantage of the resources provided. Utilizing tutoring, the Writing Center, the Speaking Center, Disability Resources, the Talley Center, and Academic Advising—all resources that are free with tuition—early, and often, begins to build skills and patterns that will help a student in college and in the world of work later in life.
- Consult with your advisors! Friends and family provide an essential support network for students and we strongly encourage students to engage with their supporters. However, when it comes to timing, degree completion, University rules and regulations, deadlines, and course selection the conversation needs to start with professional advisors (in Academic Services) and faculty advisors to set the parameters of discussions that need to happen later with family and friends.
Charles Tate, Academic Advisor and Transfer Student Coordinator