How to Choose a Transfer University

There are two things that are often used to determine whether one institution is preferred over another: word-of-mouth and location. While these are reasonable things to consider, many other factors could and should inform your decision. Choosing a type of institution and a field of study will narrow down your options. However, if your interests are less defined, and your shortlist is still long, there are several other considerations which may help you make a decision about where to study. Selecting a campus that is a right fit – one that meets your personal, social and academic needs – is a key ingredient for success.

Ask Yourself
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to gain a clearer idea of what you are looking for in a campus:

• Which campuses have academic programs that most interest you?
• Do you want to attend a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), Private, and/or Out-of-State campus?
• Do you want to be on a large urban campus or a smaller, more intimate one?
• Do you want to live at home, be close to home, or move far away from home?
• Are you a hiker, skier or surfer? Or is shopping and museum-hopping more important to you than the great outdoors?

Things to Consider
There are several things you should consider while conducting your research. These details will help you paint a picture of the campus climate and culture.

• Style & Ethos – It’s hard to pin down, but no two campuses feel the same. Some seem serious and scholarly, while at others the atmosphere is bohemian, political, sports-mad, or religious.
• Location – Urban, suburban, or rural setting? Each city or town has its unique personality – think about difference in lifestyle, cost of living, transportation, and people.
• Size – A large or small student body? This has a big effect on atmosphere, social opportunities, and facilities.
• Acceptance Rate – How selective is the campus? How can you be a competitive applicant?
• Cost – What is the annual cost of attendance? How can you finance your education: financial aid, grants, loans, and/or scholarships?
• Academic Life – Faculty-to-Student ratio, academic programs, unique mission of each program, and student satisfaction.
• Student Life – Activities and events, clubs and organizations, Greek life, housing, and athletics
• Facilities/Services – What range of academic resources, student support services and leisure facilities are available?

Things to Do
On-going research and active exploration can help you make more informed decisions as you prepare for transfer. Gathering information, relying on your gut feeling when you visit a campus, and talking to people can help you find a campus that is a right fit for you. Here are some ways you can gather information:

• Generate a list of "Top Five Campuses"
• Explore campus websites
• Check out university Facebook profiles
• Sit in on a lecture
• Ask Faculty and Counselors
• Interview students
• Visit campuses
• Write down pros and cons for each campus
• Speak with University Representatives

Research Resources

• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges
• College Board
• Big Future by College Board
• The College Portrait
• College Match: A Worksheet for Choosing the Best School for You, available for viewing/download as an Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) file.