 |
May/June 2006 | UC Notes Home |
 |
|
After SIR:Next Steps for Transfer StudentsBetween the time they submit their Statement of Intent to Register to their chosen UC campus on June 1 and the beginning of the fall term, transfer students must tie up loose ends at their community colleges and begin to make connections at UC by meeting with advisers, choosing classes and finding housing. Additionally, once at the University, students must make the real transition: to a bigger setting, a faster pace and greater academic challenges. To help them start off right, a few tips: Attend orientation. "Transfer students sometimes skip orientation because they're already successful students. They don't think they need it," says Claudia Parrish, coordinator of Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students at UC Santa Cruz. But it's vitally important. At summer orientation, students will receive academic advising, take placement exams, and learn about major requirements and how to navigate the libraries. In addition, many departments, schools and colleges have their own orientation sessions in the fall. Each program students attend is an opportunity to meet other transfer students. They may hear some information more than once, but that's good. The transition to UC can be overwhelming, and most students don't retain all the information they hear the first time. Advise the Admissions Office if anything in the academic record has changed. Incomplete community college work or a significant drop in grades can jeopardize an offer of admission. In most cases, the campus will try to work with the student to enable him or her to enroll. Submit official final transcripts by July 15. In cases where this is impossible — if a community college does not post spring grades in time, for instance — the student should contact the Admissions Office of the UC campus he or she will be attending. In most cases, extensions can be granted. In addition to official transcripts, students with Advanced Placement credit should have official score reports sent, even if the scores appear on the transcript. Even if students have submitted transcripts by the deadline, they are often not forwarded to the appropriate office in time for advising sessions. To get the most out of their advising sessions and ease the process of selecting courses, students should carry with them unofficial copies of their transcripts. Get IGETC certification at the community college. If a student has completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, it must be certified by the community college, and the certification sent to the UC campus Admissions Office. Request a review of financial aid awards. Financial aid awards are based on a student's previous year's income. Most students work less once they transfer to UC and may need more financial aid. Students can appeal an award by contacting the campus Financial Aid Office and requesting an appointment with a counselor. Contact information is available at the UC Admissions website. Find housing. At campuses that guarantee housing, transfer students should submit their housing requests by the stated deadline to ensure a spot (see UC Notes, April 2006). For students who plan to live off campus, Housing Offices maintain current rental listings. Plan for a faster pace. Most UC campuses are on the quarter system, with 10 weeks in each quarter. For students coming from community colleges on the semester system, the pace can be daunting. Students should plan on taking only three courses their first quarter. Buying books before classes begin allows time for students to familiarize themselves with the material and get a jump on the reading. In addition, students can read course syllabi, if they are available online, Seek help early. UC students are expected to be critical thinkers, analyzing and interpreting material rather than just memorizing. For some, this is an obstacle in their first quarter and they need assistance to clear it. Teaching assistants have regular office hours where students can ask questions; tutoring is available on all campuses. Visit professors during office hours. For students who want to do research or attend graduate school, this is imperative. Professors are more likely to use student researchers and write letters Transfer students thrive at UC, even those who experience a rocky beginning. The key to success is to keep up with coursework and be proactive in seeking out professors, programs and services that can enrich students' academic experience.
|
|
also in ucnotes/NEWSRecord Number of Freshmen Admitted to UC for Fall 2006 |
|
|
© 2006 Regents of the University of California Last Updated: June 1, 2006 |
|
