So im going to be a freshman this year at a college and I am looking to transfer to another school for next fall. Im picking out my schedule and just wanted some advice when it comes to this especially if im looking to transfer. I know I also have to challenge my self, but it is kind of hard to do that freshman year since im not in the honors college and i have to take core classes. So if you could provide some advice that would be much appreciated. And please don’t bash on the fact that I already want to transfer(its for good reasons). Thanks!
To answer your question – I think it would make sense to take general ed type classes that should easily transfer to other colleges.
Unsolicited advice – In general I think it is a terrible idea to start one college with the intent of transferring out. This will stand in the way of your making meaningful friendships, developing relationships with professors, and getting involved on campus. Then if your transfer doesn’t work out as planned you will be really stuck. I’d go to the college you enrolled in with the intent of staying all four years. It is fine to throw in a couple of transfer applications but don’t count on it working out. This is especially true in your case where you don’t want your HS record to be part of a transfer decision you would likely have to look at transferring for junior (not sophomore) year.
whats your major
Economics
See if your target colleges have articulation agreements showing what courses at your current college count as for transfer credit (often, these exist if you are at a community college intending to transfer to an in-state public university, but may exist for other combinations of colleges). Also, if you have AP credit, check the AP credit acceptance at your target colleges.
For an economics major, you want to take (not all in the same semester, since they may be sequenced):
- Introductory economics (micro and macro, may be two courses or one combined course). If you have AP economics credit, check whether it is accepted at both your current college and target college.
- Calculus 1 and 2. In many cases, calculus 1 and 2 for business majors (easier) is accepted as an option instead of regular calculus 1 and 2. However, if you intend to go on to graduate study in economics, or want to go into more quantitative employment (e.g. finance or actuarial), or just like math and are good at it, it would be a good idea to continue to multivariable calculus and linear algebra if you can. If you have AP calculus credit, check whether it is accepted at both your current college and target college.
- Introductory statistics. At some colleges, this may need to be a calculus-based course; at others, a non-calculus-based course is accepted. Check both your current college and target college. If a non-calculus-based course is accepted, and you have AP statistics credit, check whether it is accepted.
Beyond your major courses, the rest of your schedule can be filled with courses fulfilling general education requirements at your current college and target college. Typical examples include English composition, foreign language, humanities, science, etc… Look up the requirements and what types of courses fulfill them at both colleges. Try to choose courses that fulfill requirements at your current college and are likely to fulfill requirements at your target college, so that you will not be “behind” and have to “catch up” later.
Others can help you better if you name your current college and your target college.