As the spring semester rings in new courses and dreary weather, it also welcomes new transfer students.
According to University Communications and Marketing statistics, the Athens campus has averaged 328 new transfer students in the last four fall semesters and 115 in the last three spring semesters.
OU welcomes students from all environments. However, approximately 81% of Athens transfer students are Ohio residents.
Many transfer students relocate to another academic institution for many reasons. Whether that is tuition concerns, enticing academic programs or an urge for a better personal fit, OU welcomes all.
Robert Callahan, the assistant vice president and executive director of the online transfer and credit services center, discussed the transfer process in an email.
Callahan said most students transfer their sophomore year. However, they are seeing an increase in freshmen and juniors switching to the Athens campus. Callahan noted the various reasons as to why students may transfer.
“Many are seeking academic programs better suited to their career goals, proximity to home, or a university culture that aligns more closely with their aspirations,” Callahan wrote. “OU’s commitment to accessibility and affordability makes us a natural choice for these students.”
For Addie Simpson, a sophomore studying health service administration, tuition concern was her main driving force to transferring to OU.
Simpson transferred to the Athens campus at the start of the fall semester, after her previous institution, Xavier University, raised tuition.
“There were a lot of people who I know that were actually on edge about transferring, and that tuition raise kind of pushed us all over the edge,” Simpson said
While tuition concerns may drive some students to OU, some are eager to find a university that better fits their personal preferences.
Briella Carle is a freshman studying pre-med biology and a transfer student from Capital University. Carle instantly realized it was not for her, which led her back to a university she had previously considered attending.
“It was in my top three, and I knew that if I didn't like Capital, I was basically going to go there (OU),” Carle said.
Carle noted the differences between the two colleges, indicating people on the Athens campus are friendlier than her previous institution.
“So far, the professors here have been really nice and open and warm,” Carle said.
However, professors aren’t the only ones who are sincere and open; OU’s admission team has worked diligently to make the transfer process as smooth as possible. Callahan wrote how the admission office works to help students easily transfer their credits.
“Our goal is to give students clarity and confidence in their decision to transfer,” Callahan wrote.
Jacob Mitchell is a sophomore studying sports administration. Mitchell confidently knew he wanted to transfer from American University in Washington D.C. after realizing the political science route was not for him.
“I knew I wanted to transfer when I realized I didn’t want to do political science anymore,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know exactly when that time was, but it just kind of came to me that I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing.”
Transfer students may have switched universities for varying reasons, however all have hoped and learned to make a home at OU.
“I’m just glad I’m here,” Mitchell said. “I think it was the right decision for me. I get more and more confident about that every day.”