1. The most successful transfer is the one for which you prepare.

2. You are considered a transfer student if you've been to college at any time in your life and are now enrolling in a different school.

3. Check the transferability of courses before you take them.

4. When presented with the list of available options, check to see whether you need a specific course rather than choosing any one that takes your fancy.

5. Getting a good grounding in the basics ­ mathematics, a foreign language, writing, etc. ­ before transferring will save time afterward.

6. Excellent preparation for your major is more important than fast action.

7. When opting for a change of major or occupational goal, the quality of the program you wish to enter is more important than the amount of credit you can transfer from your previous course work.

8. Your institution may place limits on the use of one course to meet several requirements.

9. Consult with your university department often.

10. The course you want to transfer must be comparable to one in the university catalog in content, level of subject matter, number of credits carried, and standards of performance.

11. When transferring to a school that is on a different academic calendar from your previous school, watch for opening session dates, and find out on what basis credit hours or units will be calculated.

12. Remember that courses, even those required for the major, often are scheduled for only one term of the academic year.

13. Your academic plan and your financial aid package must mesh.

14. Defaulting on a student loan could be detrimental to your credit rating.

15. Never send your only copy of any document. You may need it again much later.

16. Watch out for possible changes in the NCAA's rules regarding the athletic eligibility of transfer students.

17. Consider the school's physical environment as well as its academic offerings.

18. It is the prerogative of the degree-granting institution to determine how much transfer credit will be granted or even whether any credit will be granted. This is true no matter what any other authorities have promised.

19. Applying on time is a necessity of life if you want to make it to graduation.

20. Make use of campus-sponsored support services.

 
Pitfall 1: Failing to think ahead
Solution: Plan your program

Pitfall 2: Taking the wrong courses
Solution: Make informed decisions

Pitfall 3: Taking vocational / technical courses
Solution: Get a liberal education

Pitfall 4: Missing deadlines and failing to notice changed requirements
Solution: Check the calendar

Pitfall 5: Being told, "Sorry, that's not our policy."
Solution: Check the catalog first

Pitfall 6: Trying to avoid math or writing courses
Solution: Take them anyway

Pitfall 7: Changing Majors
Solution: Diversify your curriculum

Pitfall 8: Narrowing your options
Solution: Vary your program

Pitfall 9: Having incomplete lower-division preparation
Solution: Watch the requirements

Pitfall 10: Failing to understand the system
Solution: Know who to believe before major section head.