The Transfer Experience
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The Transfer Experience: Five Perspectives
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, History
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 Web site, 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
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
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