Before caps and gowns are packed away and diplomas are put on display, most high school graduates are preparing to experience their first taste of independence as college freshmen. According to Colorado Public Radio, college is an experience that 60 percent of high school graduates commit to for many reasons, including a new social scene, engaging courses, and maybe even experiencing a new city or state. But what happens when your dream school is a nightmare? Where do you go after your associate’s degree is hung next to your diploma, but you’re still thirsty for knowledge? Transferring institutions can scratch the higher-education itch, but deciding the right school for you can be a daunting task. While many things are obvious considerations, like available majors and what clubs are offered, some things are less obvious and commonly overlooked. Here are a few that you may not have considered about the selection process and your future alma mater.

 

Does the School Consider Demonstrated Interest in the Decision Process?

When starting my transfer journey, I was completely unaware that “demonstrated interest” was even a thing. If you are like me and not sure what exactly that means, let me clarify. “Demonstrated interest” is an admissions factor in which a school checks if you have shown you really want to attend. This means admissions officers are looking for a prospective student’s information on email lists, departmental contacts, social media follows, and campus tour logs. If there’s a way to interact with their institutions, they want prospective students to utilize it.

College admissions expert and Forbes contributor Kristen Moon reports that nearly 40 percent of college admission officers at least moderately consider a student’s demonstrated interest. Moon explains that if two students have similar academic and professional credentials, demonstrated interest could be the determining factor between the two applicants. She says some of the most effective ways to demonstrate your interest include visiting the school for a campus tour, attending online information sessions, and interacting with the school’s social media profiles.

 

What Financial Aid is Available?

According to education data aggregate Education Data Initiative, the average student debt from a bachelor’s degree is $34,100, which two-thirds of students will carry after graduation. This number shoots up to $58,600 if the school is a private institution. Best Colleges reports that it can take 20 years or more to pay off $35,000 in student loan debts. The best way to avoid mountains of student debt is by applying for scholarships.

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Many universities offer scholarship foundations, and there are many opportunities for scholarships through employers and online. For example, Colorado State University is offering up to $15,000 per year for recipients of the state’s Reisher Scholarship for transfer students that meet eligibility criteria. The application is available right on the university’s scholarship webpage. If you are employed, your employer may provide tuition benefits. For example, a Chick-Fil-A in Longmont, Colo. proudly displays a banner stating that all associates will receive free college tuition.

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Pro Tip: Never pay for scholarship searches! The Federal Trade Commission warns prospective students not to give in to scammers and to be vigilant about what personal information websites are asking for. Their article, “How to Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams” gives great advice about scams involving seminars, processing fees, and money-back guarantees. Reputable scholarships and search engines will not require you to pay a fee to access information, or pressure you into paying a fee up-front for access. It may be time-consuming, but persistence will unearth legitimate scholarships that will cost you nothing to apply for.

 

What Supplemental Services are Available for Students?

There are so many resources available to students to make their college experience easier. “Schools want you just as much as you may want them. If they offer services above and beyond what their ‘competitors’ do, they become more appealing and students reap the benefits,” says TRIO SSS Program Director, Becky Chavez. “Schools want to support their student body in the unique ways they need, and that can go beyond the classroom.” Chavez says it’s important to consider what services you utilize at your current institution and what services you wish were available.

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Disability services help students with disabilities receive accommodations and can advocate for students when these accommodations are not being met appropriately. Disabled students can also connect with supplemental support programs, such as TRIO SSS, which provide wrap-around services for students with identities not traditionally represented in higher education. Along with disabled students, TRIO assists first-generation and low-income students by providing services such as academic coaching, transfer advising, and financial literacy workshops.

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Schools have diverse student bodies, and diversity means diverse needs. Are you a single parent who needs access to childcare? Some colleges and universities provide on-site care, or partner with local daycares to provide discounts to students. Veterans in higher education are on the rise, and many schools offer special programs for students who previously served in the military.

Colleges are finally understanding that students may need help beyond the classroom and are finding more ways to support students personally. A wildly beneficial service offered at many schools is career counseling. These valuable advisors can help you before and after graduation with things such as resume-building and interviewing skills. Many campuses also offer food pantries, where students can get free groceries and hygiene products.

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If you have access to current students at your prospective schools, don’t be shy! Speak with anyone who may be able to tell you about what services are available, as well as how effective these services are. Academic advising is a baseline service at every institution, but are advisors helpful and accessible? When researching future schools, consider what services would make your educational experience easier and more impactful.

 

How Many of My Credits Will Transfer?

If you are a college student looking to transfer to another institution, credit transfer is a key factor commonly overlooked by students hoping to transfer to their dream school. Brooke McKinney, the Assistant Director of Advising at Front Range Community College’s Boulder County Campus, says considering how many of your credits will transfer could be the make-or-break detail when deciding between schools. She explains that in Colorado, community colleges have contracts with public, in-state universities to ensure that course credits are guaranteed to transfer; “it can make it easier for students to narrow their search from the start if they want to stay.” Franklin University reports in its article “Will My Associate Degree Transfer to Any College?” that 30 states across the nation offer guaranteed transfer credit programs for community college students looking to continue their education.

 

If you are looking to transfer to a private or out-of-state school, the best course of action is to speak to a transfer advisor at the schools you are interested in and have them conduct a credit audit. This is a process in which an advisor at your prospective school compares the classes you’ve already taken to the classes available at their institution. This gives students a concrete idea of how many credits they can use towards a degree at a new school. Some websites allow you to audit your credits without consulting transfer advisors. Transferology, for example, allows you to input your current and previous courses, and will populate a list of schools with what percentage of your credits will transfer.

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Transferring is a huge life decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Keep in mind the things that you like at your current institution, how you will pay for school, how many credits will transfer, and show schools you are interested by interacting with them as much as possible. Armed with this information and optimism for the future, finding a transfer school will be a breeze.