Life After HCC: How to Begin Your Transfer Process

Life After HCC: How to Begin Your Transfer Process! By Estefano Torres Editor

Students who have entered the final phase of their journey here at HCC may begin to ask themselves an all-too-familiar question that has long persisted ever since the arrival on campus for their first day: “So now what?”

Many students throughout their final semester at HCC desire to expand their college experience elsewhere, but sometimes, it can be difficult to understand how the transfer process works when students are unsure of where to start.

“I am interested in transferring to another university because I want to be able to adjust to a different atmosphere . . . compared to going to a community college,” shared HCC student Gabriella Castorina, who is one of many HCC students who wish to expand their education by transferring to a four-year university.

Of course, students have their own goals when it comes to selecting a school or university of choice, and many of these colleges can have their own specific requirements for transferring. However, we all start somewhere when met with a challenge, so a few general, basic tips and advice on how to start your own transfer process should give you a smooth start on planning your next step in your education after HCC.

The actual process of transferring your credits to your dream university might sound agonizingly complicated of a task to handle all on your own, but not if you are aware of the resources and staff around campus that are there to lend a helping hand.

WHERE TO START: Randy Sanders is a core academic advisor and the transfer specialist at HCC–located in Lafayette Hall B136–who puts together plenty of transfer resources for students in their last semester considering transfer. He meets with many universities outside of HCC to gather this transfer information. Sanders suggests that, before beginning the process of transferring, students gain an idea of what exactly their short term and long term goals are.

“I tell students to look at their major and if you aren’t sure what to do, it’s okay,” said Sanders.

“Start looking at who you want to be and where you want to be three to four years from now and start talking with and visiting colleges of your interests.”

From experience, I can personally confirm that it could be difficult when you consider giving up your dream careers to better adjust to the expectations of your dream colleges. I sometimes think about my own abilities in writing and career dreams and what I will earn from them, and I believe that changing yourself to pursue something you are not passionate about is unacceptable! “Think about what is going to make you happy . . . what do you want to give back to the community, what’s going to give you joy?” said Sanders. “The physical stuff, the money and all that, is not everything to life. It’s that simple,” he adds. Castorina, who has been through the process as a student herself, also has advice for future students in regard to their passion and interests: “Please select the right university that you feel would be beneficial for yourself. Remember, you need to do what’s best and appropriate for yourself.”

After you are certain of what you want to do, begin to consider some other basic aspects of the transfer process before truly getting into it. Alexander LaTouche, a Guided Pathways Advisor at HCC, wishes

“It is really important to do your research into your preferred college to find out about certain requirements.”

to make students aware of some general things to have in mind while starting the process, which should be looked into as soon as possible.

“What I would remind students is to make sure they are meeting the program requirements for the school they want to transfer to . . . [and] be aware of application deadlines,” said LaTouche.

It is really important to do your research into your preferred college to find out about certain requirements, as LaTouche mentions, such as the required courses needed for your chosen major and especially if your GPA is valid according to their minimum range provided.

Doing this basic research will kickstart your soon-to-be successful transfer process!

WHO CAN HELP: When I looked into how to transfer, I was initially confused on who to reach out to, and struggled to focus on transferring my credits as soon as I could while managing assignments from five different courses.

“Speak to advisors at both schools: your advisor at HCC, and the transfer specialist or transfer advisor at schools you want to go to for more information,” said LaTouche.

“I’ve been intaking a lot of information from many sources because I want to know as much as possible for the coming school year,” said Destene Savariau, an HCC student, while considering the option to transfer to SCSU.

“To have information prior on forms to fill out, available scholarships, on-campus living arrangements, steps to take once you actually transfer would all be helpful,” Savariau added.

Students can speak to any advisor in the Advising Center–located in Lafayette Hall L112–along with their own assigned advisors, all who understand the most vital information needed when transferring. According to Sanders, his office keeps the most information regarding the transfer process and specific university requirements, so a visit or call to his office can also be helpful! Additional information could be found in the official HCC website under the Academics section.

One great resource that advisors, such as Sanders, provide for future transferring students are virtual transfer workshops, which I personally attended myself! In this workshop, basic transfer tips are discussed and representatives from many universities join to discuss their specific requirements for transfer. Workshops are held throughout the semester, and more information can be found on the HCC website or by contacting Sanders.

However, one resource that deserves more attention and is normally disregarded by students is Career Services–located in Lafayette Hall B145–which can help identify certain information that students may find handy to know before transferring their credits for a certain major.

“[Career Services] help students identify future goals, majors, and not just careers but the salary,” said Sanders, “and that helps students decide what major they should go into and what four-year offers that major.”

COMMON ISSUES: One of the most common mistakes students make while in the transfer process is not being mindful of certain deadlines for applications, as LaTouche explains, and ultimately end up trying to transfer their credits a bit too late into their semesters. Believe me, I began my own transfer process a little bit after mid-terms of last semester, so there was my lesson learned! It is not preferable to start later on into your last semester, but to de-escalate your anxiety levels, try to do so earlier.

Like Snoopy here, many HCC students seek to transfer to their favorite universities, but where do you begin?

Sanders explains how difficult an issue it is considered to be for students to transfer from a low-cost community college to a four-year university, which is typically expensive, sometimes even up to $60,000 per year.

“...That’s always a concern for students. But what I remind students is don’t be afraid [of a college’s price] because you can be awarded scholarships or grants that can lower the cost,” he said.

Whatever your academic passion is, if you are truly determined in pursuing it, go for it!

Sanders also speaks to plenty of four-year universities outside of HCC to discuss transfer credit evaluation for students hesitant to reach out to universities with credit inquiries on whether they are valid or not. Then again, an easy resolution for this is to do your part, as responsible students, and look into the credit requirements of other universities if you are still uncertain!

Throughout my final semester, I reflected on my journey as a whole at HCC, and when the time for transfer came, I felt lost because of how quickly and suddenly I had arrived at that point. I attended classes on campus for the majority of my first semester two years ago, and although COVID pulled me back onto my chair behind a screen for three consecutive semesters, I personally did not lose one bit of knowledge that I would have received in a traditional classroom.

I have already embarked on my next academic adventure and have moved on from HCC. Believe me, I was absolutely pressured when faced with the transfer process, but that is because I was not aware of the staff, faculty, and resources I had by my side to help propel me into further expanding my education.

All that is needed from students, possibly like yourself, to begin your potential transfer process is self-reliance and commitment to finding those steps with a bit of assistance. Most students can depict the transfer process to be difficult and stressful, and that is completely normal. The main thing you will realize, however, is that you will never be on your own, and the first thing to do is not overthink and relax!

“Take it step by step, plan early, and be patient with yourself,” added Sanders.