The Transfer Experience
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The Transfer Experience: Five Perspectives
I was the first in my family to attend college. This made my transition to UCSB difficult because I had no guidance as to what my plans should be after community college. I grew up in Baldwin Park and I had never imagined leaving it. I attended Mt. San Antonio College for two years and then chose to transfer to UCSB because I felt that it was important for me to step out of my comfort zone. I definitely did! I was overwhelmed at first because it was so different from what I was used to in community college. One major difficulty was the change from the semester system to the quarter system. It took a lot of effort to keep on track at first, but I eventually learned to adjust and now I love the quarter system. Another difficulty that I encountered was my feelings of loneliness. Many of the people that I met at UCSB had been here since their freshman year and had already built strong friendships, but I didn't know anyone. I joined the Transfer Student Association, which allowed me to meet other people with experiences similar to my own and we were able to support each other. I also became a member of the Summer Orientation Staff, which allowed me to make new friends and to help other incoming students who were just starting their journey through college. I am a senior now, and it is startling how quickly I have had to begin thinking about my post-graduation plans. Coming in as a junior, time flew by and I feel as though my time at UCSB is beginning and ending all at once; I had to start planning for graduate school almost immediately after my arrival. As a new transfer student at UCSB, just remember that time will pass so quickly that you have to take advantage of as many of the programs that UCSB offers as possible. The best advice I can give to an incoming transfer student is to get involved, because it will greatly enhance your college experience.
--Diana Felix, Sociology and Minor in Education If I had come to UCSB straight out of high school, I probably would have dropped out in the first year. When I transferred here after two years at my local community college, I had the time of my life. In my town, if you ever get out and go to school, you are in the minority. When I came to UCSB, I was slightly awestruck. The campus was, and is, gorgeous and the people I lived with were very friendly. My family wasn't very far, so I could visit when I felt like it.
When I came here, I was focused on getting a rounded education. I looked for organizations that I was interested in joining and found a Mexican Folkloric club that reminded me of my high school club. At UCSB, I looked through the course schedule and was amazed at the different classes I could enroll in. Who knew that there were diverse classes, such as Vampirism in German Literature, Egyptian Religion, and Roman Architecture. One of my professors even wrote the Ancient Egyptian language of Stargate for The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns. I have had a lot of fun discovering what interests me and what I am going to do for a job.
The adjustment to the quarter system from the semester system was different. It just takes time and determination to set a schedule and to stick to it. UCSB has counseling and stress management classes to help any and every student. The counselors for each major are always there and I, personally, have talked to them at least twice a quarter. Also, the professors here are very helpful; sometimes they even invite you to their home. Just get to know your professors and ask them questions. As long as you know what you want, go for it, and let UCSB help you in your endeavors.
--Deborah Buchold, History and Anthropology I spent my first year of college at a small private university. I knew pretty much right away that it wasn't for me, and after the first year I started taking classes at a local community college in my home town. UCSB was not my first choice school to transfer to, but because of their pre-major program, I was accepted right away even though I hadn't finished all of my general education courses. I really didn't want to stay at home, and I had some friends at UCSB, so I went for it. Now I wouldn't choose to go to any other school for my undergraduate education. UCSB is big enough to be surrounded by all types of people and have a large variety of classes to choose from, but small enough that you won't get lost in the crowd. I was accepted into the Honors program upon admission, and through the program I found out about volunteer opportunities in transfer admissions. When volunteering I learned about the Transfer Student Association and became involved with their outreach events. The next year I became co-president of the Transfer Student Association, which has given me an opportunity to practice my leadership skills, as well as meet so many interesting and fun new transfers. Being in the Honors program has helped me get to know my professors and get very in depth knowledge out of my courses with honors sections, and has even helped me get a job! This year I worked as a proctor in the Honors study center, and I was one of the student Honors coordinators for the school year. I am a microbiology major, and have always been interested in doing research. I found out about faculty researchers looking for students through the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) office website, and was able to find a lab to work in that has given me (and continues to give me) experience doing my own projects that will give me an edge when I apply for future research positions. Being a student at UCSB has given me so many amazing opportunities that I don't think I would have had at any other UC, especially as a transfer. I was able to jump right in and not only get involved, but even hold leadership positions that will prepare me for life after graduation.
--Maura Madou Transferring to UC Santa Barbara was a difficult change, but for me the challenges were personal, not academic. I had anxiously anticipated the difficulty of a university curriculum and was unsure if I had the ability to succeed in my academic pursuits. To my surprise, I discovered that I had underestimated myself. I had already learned that school was hard work and did just fine when I continued to apply that principle at the university level.
Unfortunately, I had a more difficult time feeling at home at UCSB than I had expected. I wasn't quite a freshman, as I had moved out of my parents' house about three years earlier. Yet, I was distinctly different from other juniors who had been here since their freshman year and had already formed their "college friendships." I was in an awkward position that I had not anticipated.
In the end, it just took some old fashion work. I joined the cycling team which gave me the opportunity to meet other active people. In addition, I became an intern for the California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) where I worked with and befriended many wonderful people committed to social justice. In the fall of my senior year, I interned in Washington D.C.-an opportunity provided through the UCDC program. It was there that I finally forged relationships that I plan on keeping well into the future. In short, I pushed myself to get involved beyond the classroom and the reward has been an experience that will be greatly missed when I graduate.
So, I suppose my advice to someone transferring into UCSB is this: Get involved in anything and everything that sounds remotely interesting. Two years is not very much time to settle into any town. Lucky for us, however, our campus has a tremendous wealth of activity that will surely offer you a place to meet people with your same interests. When your time at UCSB comes to a close, it will ultimately be those people who have helped to shape your UC experience into something memorable.
--John Stevenson My decision to attend UC Santa Barbara over Berkeley wasn't easy. As a transfer student majoring in History, I knew Berkeley could offer me a first-class education with a prestigious degree. But after spending a semester at Berkeley, attending classes at the local community college and UCB through its Extension Program, the decision to attend UCSB was easy. UCB was constantly in motion--cars roaring by me, hundreds of people crowding busy streets, disheartening signs of poverty encroaching into people's lives, perpetual demonstrations on every conceivable topic. To some, it is an appealing experience. To me, it was a challenge to get from my car to my classroom. At UCSB, green lawns, ocean views, friendly faces, and clean air embody daily life. But my paramount concern, over quality of life, was access to superb academic resources. Could UCSB offer me what my ambition and scope of interest demanded? After spending a quarter absorbed in UCSB's microcosm of academia, I can resolutely say, "Yes."
An education is what one makes of it. At UCSB, there are no limits to where one's mind can wander and to what one can research to the greatest depth. After completing an honor's research project, I learned firsthand the power behind UCSB's vast library. The willingness of librarians and professors to assist undergraduates is phenomenal. While working on my research project, one librarian spent two hours helping me find some very obscure documents. The Honors Program allows you to dive as deeply into a course as you want. Professors are more than willing to meet privately with you to discuss additional research projects and guide you to improve your ability to think and write constructively, concisely, and efficiently.
As transfer students, the first quarter will be the hardest. Adjusting to a rapid, rigorous amalgam of courses can be difficult. I recommend you buy your books before classes begin and start reading and learning the material as soon as possible. Establish a relationship with your professors immediately; they'll be your best resource for the next ten weeks. Go to your department and get to know your academic advisor. Tell them your goals and ambitions and ask for course recommendations. Become familiar with the library's copious expanse of resources. Introduce yourself to people sitting next to you in class. Nothing is stopping you from reaching your dreams at UCSB. The possibilities are infinite and only you can decide how much you want to get out of your experience.
--Roger Thompson, Senior, History
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