How to Select a College Virtually [video]

Whether you’re transferring to a four-year college in the next few months or the next few years, there are three aspects you need to consider:

1. Financial fit
2. Social fit
3. Academic fit

PTK’s Associate Director of College and Transfer Relations Heather Yush recently talked with two transfer admissions experts about how you can get all three aspects in a virtual world: Mensima Biney, Director of Admissions and Enrollment at Antioch University, and Kate Stano, Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Springfield College.

Watch the full video below, or read the highlights.

Prep Work First

You’ll want to start with Transfer Edge, PTK’s free online course that teaches you how to transfer successfully. Then, take a look at our Transfer Honor Roll, which identifies transfer-friendly institutions. Finally, use PTK Connect to search for scholarships — including awards exclusively for PTK members — and see transfer data for schools you’re considering.

The sooner you start the process, the more time and money you’ll save.

Financial Fit

Once you’ve identified potential colleges, look for transfer-specific scholarships on their websites. See if the scholarship levels for transfer students match those for first-year students — that will show how much the institution values transfer students.

Look at whether scholarships are renewable or non-renewable, and look for stackable scholarships that can be combined with other offers.

If you’re already in the process of transferring and your financial situation has changed due to the coronavirus, contact someone in the college admissions office. Transfer admission reps are there to advocate for you, but they can’t do that if they don’t know what’s standing in your way.

Social Fit

Take advantage of the virtual tours that colleges have on their websites. Follow their social media accounts, as well as those of individual admissions reps, so you’ll know when live virtual sessions are happening. Search for their official hashtags to see posts from students.

Speaking of students — ask your admissions contacts to connect you with a student to meet with over the phone or virtually. They can introduce you to fellow transfer students and even find someone in your field of study.

Academic Fit

Know that at some schools there’s a difference between coming in with credits as a dually enrolled student versus coming in as a traditional transfer student, so communication with your transfer admissions rep is key.

Ask to sit in on a class to get a feel for the teaching style, even if that class is online.