“Was I accepted?”
“How will I pay for all of this?”
“Will I adapt to the new campus?”
These are among the plethora of questions transfer students moving onto to a four-year college ask themselves on a regular basis.
The transfer process can be a stressful one, but there is help.
Especially here on campus.
Delta College has a variety of different workshops and guidance classes to better prepare students for their transfer journey to a four-year college.
One of the counselors on campus who teaches these workshops is Dr. Stacy Robles Bagnasco.
“All the students who enroll in the guidance classes, there always like ‘I wish I would have taken this when I first came,'” said Bagnasco.
Bagnasco makes it her duty to guide students, who might be confused about transferring or career goals, into a sufficient plan.
Kelly Alcayde, a current Delta student who plans to transfer to Sacramento State University, says she has concerns about her units transferring over to her new school.
Despite her concerns, Alcayde has a tool to guide her transferable units in the right direction.
“I constantly check Assist.org and Sac State’s catalog too because I’m paranoid that my classes won’t transfer,” said Alcayde.
For those who don’t know, Assist.org is a great tool for students to keep up to date on the classes that will transfer over to their future university
Transferable units are just one of the many potential problems that students face when they start to think about moving onto a four-year.
The cloud that looms over most students is the expenditures they will have to endure if they want to transfer to a four-year.
Delta student Simone Mingua-Lopstain has thought about the financial aspect of transferring.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll have to pay loans,” said Mingua-Lopstain.
This conclusion isn’t abnormal.
It’s very normal to have to take out student loans,” said Bagnasco.
According to CNNMoney, the graduating class of 2013 were hit with an average of $26,000 in debt due to government loans.
For students whose financial needs can’t be satisfied with loans, financial aid and Cal Grant are great ways to make a dent in your costs.
Applications for these aids are now open and will remain open until the March deadline.
So with an application sent and tuition attended for, how will students make the transition from a community college to a university?
Once she transfers, Mingua-Lopstain agrees that “it’s good to be well-rounded” as she plans to network and score internships to better her chances for careers in her desired field.
Mingua-Lopstain brings up a valid point.
We live in a society where it’s not so much of what you know, but more so of who you know.
Bagnasco offers this advice.
“I just want students that come here to just really take advantage of all the opportunities,” she said.
“I’m always shocked on how many of them aren’t volunteering or doing internships. I think one of the biggest mistakes students make when they transfer and they get their four year degree and they can’t find a job. They’re back in my office asking me for help.”
Even at the community college level, it would be wise to take up an internship to gain that little extra knowledge for your dream career.
Internships give you an edge other students might not have when looking for jobs.
Network with professionals and always stay connected with these contacts to further your chances of success in your desired field.
Staying connected is essential, especially with your counselor.
Your counselor will be your key to stay on track throughout the entire transfer process and will be open to answer questions.
They are on campus to help and guide you out of Delta into the next destination of your scholarly journey.