Questions to Ask Transfer Admissions Representatives

Admissions 

• When should I apply for admissions?  
• Is there an application deadline?  
• Is there an application fee?
• What factors determine my admission?  
• What is the average GPA of transfer student accepted? 
• What is the average number of new enrolled transfer students each year?
• How many OCC transfer students apply each year and how many are accepted? 
• May I be admitted with an undeclared major?  
• May I apply prior to receiving my associate degree?  
• Are there programs that require a separate or additional application? 
• If so, which ones?  
• Who is the contact person for transfer students?  
• When is my admission status determined and when will I find out?  

Cost

• How much is tuition per credit hour, per year? 
• What fees are required and how much are they?
• If I live on campus what is the yearly cost for room and board?
• What scholarships are available for transfer student and what amounts?  
• When should I apply for financial aid/scholarships? 
• What percent of transfer students receive financial aid?  
• Is work‐study available?
• How much did the cost of room and board, tuition and fees rise from last year?  
• How much does the typical transfer student owe after graduating?  

Success 

• What percent of transfer students graduate and what is the average time it takes to do so?
• Upon graduation, what percent of transfer students pursue a graduate degree?
• What makes your college/university transfer friendly?  
• What type of transfer students are happiest and successful at your college/university? 
• What do transfer students enjoy most about your college/university?  
• How are transfer students made to feel a part of your college/university community?
• What are the strengths of the college/university as they relate to transfer student success? 

Challenges 

• As a transfer student, what challenges may I experience?  
• What are the weakness of the college/university as they relate to transfer student success?  
• What is the number one complaint from transfer students about your college/university?  

Demographics 

• What are the demographics of students?
• What percentage of students are transfer? 
  • What percentage of transfer students are from OCC?
• What makes the student body unique?  
• Are students friendly?
• How racially and ethnically diverse is the campus?  
• Do students of different races, ethnicities and socio‐economic interact easily?  
• Are there many students from other countries?  
• Are students cliquish?
• How would you describe the average student?

Transfer Credit

• Does your college/university have a Transfer Credit Agreement with OCC for the program I am planning majoring in?
• Will each of my transfer credits apply to specific program and/or degree requirements? 
• Where can I find OCC course evaluations and what does it mean if the course(s) is not listed?
• What is the maximum amount of specific program and degree requirements transfer credits accepted?
• What is the average number of transfer credits that are not applied to anything (additional elective credits beyond any that may be needed)?
• Are military credits accepted? If so, how and where do they apply?  
• Is prior learning credit for training, certification and experience outside of the classroom available?  

General Education 

• If I satisfy the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) requirements at OCC will there be any additional general education requirements?
  • If so, which ones and can they be satisfied by transfer credit?  
• Is satisfying the MTA required in order to transfer to your college/university?

Major/Program

• Do I need to attend full time?
• Is the program in a cohort format (set courses to take each semester)?
• Is the program available in an accelerated format (6 or 8 weeks semesters/terms)?  
• Is the program available online?  
• What are the most competitive majors? 
• What programs are most and least successful for transfer students? 
• What program(s) have the highest placement rate(s) in the field of study?
• What department(s) or programs have the best reputations?  
• How is your program different from colleges/universities offering the same one?
• Can I complete my remaining program and degree requirements within two years if attending full‐time?  
• How long will it take to complete my remaining program and degree requirements if I am attending part time?
• How many more credits will I need to complete my degree?  
• Is it easy to change majors? 
• Are internship and co‐ops available? 
• Are study abroad opportunities available?  

Courses/Classes 

• Are courses available mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and online?
• How long is the semester/term?
• What is the largest and smallest class size? 
• How many students are in the average class? 
• What is the average class size of the program I am interested in?  
• Do transfer students receive priority registration?  
• How are transfer students advised for registration?  
• What is the instructor to student ratio? 
• Are classes more lecture or discussion based?
• What percentage of junior senior level courses are taught by professors verses teaching assistants?  
• Are finals more exam, project or essay based? 
• Are transfer students able to take most of their first‐choice classes?  

Services/Accessibility

• What resources and services are available to transfer students?
• What kind of learning disability resources are available?  
• What support services do students need to pay for?
• Is a writing center available to assist with research papers and essays?
  • Is it free?
  • What days & times?  
  • Are services available online?  
  • Is tutoring available?  
  • What subjects? 
  • Is it free?
  • What days & times?  
  • Are services available online?  
• Are computer labs with a variety of days and hours available?  
• What type of academic and social support are available for transfer students?  
• How would you describe transfer advising services?
  • How accessible are academic advisors?  
• What are their hours, days and methods available (i.e. telephone, web, email, etc.)?  
• What free resources and support services are available?  
• What kind to learning disabilities resources are available?  
• Are transfer peer mentors available?  
• How accessible are administrators, registrars, financial aid officers, etc.?
• How accessible is public transportation?  
• Is childcare available?  
  • Is it free?
  • What days & times?
• Is there an active alumni network? 
• Are the professors accessible outside of class and do the hold scheduled office hours?  

Housing 

• Am I required to live on campus?  
• Is married housing available?  
• What percentage of transfer students live on‐campus verses off‐campus?

Social 

• How will I meet other transfer students?
• Are there specific clubs, organizations or activities for transfer students?
• What are the most popular club and organizations for transfer students?
• What do transfer students do for fun?
• Are events mostly on campus or off?  
• What were some of the biggest and most popular events last year?  

Others 

• What is unique about your college/university? 
• What leads most transfer students here? 
• What are the college’s most important values, and how are they demonstrated to the students? 

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Why am I at OCC and what is my goal?
• What am I looking for that OCC does not offer (i.e. program, degree, housing, social, etc.)?
• Can I afford to transfer at this time?
• Can I take additional courses at OCC before transfer? 
• How will the transfer college/university help me reach my goals?