Engineering students share what it’s like transferring to CU from another school
Stan Young | Photo by Gabe Rodriguez
On the surface, transfer students often seem indistinguishable from their peers, which means it can be easy to overlook the wealth of experience they have to share. Because of their history of moving from one school to another, transfer students often have a deeper understanding of adjusting to change than most other students.
This year, CU Boulder’s Engineering College enrolled 264 transfer students. Many of these students transferred from community colleges or from other four-year universities and did so for the community and opportunities available here at CU. The two primary challenges that they face, however, are community engagement and transfer credit evaluations.
Anirudh Kapoor, a junior in Electrical and Computer Engineering, said, “When you come in as a transfer student it is definitely harder to make friends than if you are starting as a freshman.” Kapoor is a transfer student from Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India, who transferred because he was excited about the opportunities in student life and research here at CU. “The education there is a lot different than the education here,” Kapoor said.
Many transfer students stated that they valued highly the community at CU Boulder, and some transfer students even credited their academic success with the degree to which they are able to get involved. Getting involved, especially as a transfer student, can be difficult. While the process of getting involved may seem like a daunting task, CU and transfer students who have experience with the process can help.
Chakrya Ros, a transfer student in Computer Science, said, “I was lonely in the first couple semesters at CU. I didn’t have friends to do homework with. I almost gave up. I always went to office hours for help, and my TA told me to keep going. Every semester, I keep going to office hours for help and to make friends.”
CU Boulder strives to be an inclusive environment. Student services like the BOLD Center and Academic advising and events like the transfer student orientation or transfer student week testify to this. During transfer student week, an engineering transfer student panel is put together, and here is what some advice the panel had to share: “academic advisers can be your advocates” and “community is key to your academic success.”
Obtaining some core requisite credits before entering a four-year degree program is common practice, and transfer students from other four-year universities have a host of credits they hope will apply to a degree here at CU as well. Several transfer students have stated that the transfer credit evaluation process has been a stressful and sometimes disheartening experience, but some make mention of the advocacy of their academic advising team.
Addy Stearns, a transfer student in Environmental Engineering, said, “Dealing with transfer credits and what actually transfers to count towards your major has been challenging.” Stearns transferred from another four-year university for the opportunities available here at CU. “[I expected] That it would be a challenging transition from a small liberal arts school to a large university but after some time I'd be able to find community here,” Stearns said.
Erika Bailon, a transfer student in Computer Science, said, “the BOLD center and the support and help from Chris Anderson” were some of the factors influencing her decision to transfer to CU, although Bailon also stated, “One class was not valid in CU Boulder.” Bailon transferred from the Community College of Denver and was recently asked to speak on the transfer student panel for transfer student week at CU. Bailon’s advice: “look for help, never give up, always someone will be able to help you.”
The engineering school at CU Boulder offers some pretty spectacular events and services to help students get and stay involved in the community here at Boulder. The engineering launch has served to help some students find their place here at Boulder by showcasing the different clubs offered on campus. The BOLD center advocates for minorities in engineering and can be a great place to get involved if you identify with those students. Outside the engineering school, the university also holds a transfer student orientation which has helped some students make friends and connect with other students going through a similar transition.