<p>My child just completed his sophomore year (in-state school) and is pursuing transfer to another in-state school. We understand that there could be financial aid issues related to this transfer (e.g. higher tuition), yet what risks are we not evaluating if he makes this transfer in the spring 2013? The receiving school already determined that he is just under the required credits to be called a "junior" so he would likely be a "high sophomore" (for lack of a better phrase) and might need an additional semester in order to graduate. We were told that his financial aid that would have been given to him this fall could be applied to summer semester (he would attend full-time both spring and summer vs. fall and spring). I know we're missing other things but don't know what. Any input would be most appreciated.</p>
<p>The toughest challenge for many transfers is navigating the social scene and finding a group of friends since many people tend to bond as fr in dorms. While it makes things a little more difficult, most transfers successfully find a group of friends through classes, ECs, etc.</p>
<p>Another thing is just figuring out how the school administration and academics function for that particular school. This usually just takes asking more questions of advisors and other students to catch up on how things function, which profs are good, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks entomom. What are your thoughts about a student transferring in their senior year if the plan is to continue at the receiving university for graduate studies? It could require an additional undergraduate semester or two if the receiving university has additional graduation criteria yet it would enable my son to acclimate to the environment and receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the same university. I’d appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks.</p>
<p>If he’s continuing on into an academic field, it may be more difficult - if not impossible - to be accepted into the graduate program there. Many schools don’t like to admit their own undergraduate students, as it limits the transference of ideas between colleges. </p>
<p>As well, many schools require that half of the required credits be completed at the school the student graduates from (as a senior, he will almost certainly need to take an extra year to graduate if this is the case), and they may have limits on the number of credits that transfer, or that may be completed prior to transferring. </p>
<p>Finally, as a graduate student, he’ll still have to deal with making new friends as his old ones graduate and move away (this may happen sooner, if he transfers as a senior), and learning how the school works from a graduate student’s perspective.</p>
<p>I think that he’d be better off transferring this year rather than the next, as there wouldn’t be very many advantages to transferring as a senior.</p>
<p>TitoMorito – wonderful insights so thank you. Did not know that many graduate schools prefer not to have their own undergraduates continue on there – excellent point. And you are correct about the limits on the number of credits he could transfer…will need to explore this one carefully as well. Thanks so much.</p>