My Experience as a Transfer Student
When I was a senior in high school, my parents put the hard sell on Auburn. And I was not having it.I’m from Birmingham, and I wanted to do something new and exotic. I wanted to go to an out-of-state school. So I did.
I did the whole thing. I went to a private university in Texas, I made friends, I joined clubs, and I was surviving. The problem is, I just wasn’t thriving. When I moved back into my dorm sophomore year, I knew something was off. All of my friends kept talking about how excited they were to go back to school, and I just felt indifferent. Nervous, even. Within the first two weeks of that semester, I called my dad and told him I had to leave. He said he would help me figure it out, no questions asked. (Thanks, Dad!) All this to say, I’ve been there, done that. If you’re thinking about transferring or are going through the process right now, I’m here to answer some questions and offer you a little peace of mind.
Why did I make the decision to transfer?
My freshman year of college, I put the pedal to the metal. I was determined to fall in love with college. I had a “bloom where you’re planted” mentality and didn’t want to admit that the culture just wasn’t a good fit for me. I kept pushing. No matter how involved I got, though, my feelings didn’t change. I just had a gut feeling that wouldn’t go away. I decided on Auburn the second time around (more on that later) because it was kind of the antithesis of my first school, and I was looking for a big change.
What was the process like?
We’re all friends here, so I’ll be honest: it was anything but easy. It felt like an uphill battle, and there were multiple breakdowns along the way. Everything was so confusing, and I felt utterly helpless about the process. As you can probably imagine, transferring is a logistical nightmare. Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong did. I accidentally sent my transcripts to the wrong place, I applied in the wrong classification (you can apply as a first-year or non-first-year transfer), and I didn’t know where I was going to live. I don’t say all of this to scare you, but you should know that it probably won’t be smooth sailing. What I’m trying to say is that it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Do I regret transferring?
Absolutely not. I decided to go with my gut, and my gut was spot-on. I needed the change, and I’m so thankful I took the leap and just did it. To that point, though, choosing a college the second time around is much less of a shot in the dark. This isn’t your first rodeo; you know what works for you and what doesn’t. Use this experience to your advantage, and think critically about why you’re choosing your new school. Another thing—there’s much less social pressure this time. When I was a senior in high school, I was so caught up in the prestige of it all. Would my college sound impressive to my peers? Would it look good on my resume? Would my parents want to brag about my school to their friends? This all fades away when you’re starting over. This decision is for you and you alone. Own it.
How do you assimilate after transferring?
Put simply; don’t be shy. You will definitely have to get out of your comfort zone, but you can make it work for you. Here are some specific tips:
Reach out to people you might already know at your new school. More than likely, they’ll be willing to help ease the transition. I actually found a place to live when I transferred through someone I knew from my hometown.
Tell people you’re a transfer student. It’s especially important to clue people in if you’re transferring to a big school like Auburn. People won’t automatically know that you’re new among 30,000 other students, so it’s your job to let them know. Professors and friends will be much more accommodating knowing you’re a newbie.
Focus is key. Put your energy into one or two organizations that you’ll actually get involved in. For me, this was a marketing job on campus. (Hey @AuburnCampusRec!) I knew I would actually want to put a lot of time and effort into this, and it paid off. I didn’t waste my time club-hopping; I focused on one thing and stuck to it. You’ll make friends by being involved, but you’ll also have something to show for it when all is said and done.
I hope this shed a little light on the transfer experience and answered a few of your questions. Transferring can feel daunting, but the big takeaway for me was asking for help. This can be hard for those of us who are a little stubborn (me), but it makes a world of difference and eases the transition tremendously. Have any more questions about the transfer process at Auburn specifically? This webpage is a great place to start. Scroll down to the section that says “Requirements & Deadlines” and click “Transfer.”
Whatever you decide, I hope your college experience is everything you want it to be. You’ve earned it.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Hannah S. and Zoe L.
Editor in Chief
Mallory is a marketing major from Birmingham, Alabama who has loved every second of her time at Auburn. When she’s not napping, you can most likely find her at night cycle or any establishment that serves coffee.
Mallory’s likes include using the cowboy emoji, talking way too much about her study abroad experience, and listening to Mumford & Sons. Her dislikes? Staying up past 10 p.m. and country music.
