Ohio University admitted hundreds of transfer students to its Athens campus and E-Campus for the 2022 Spring Semester.
A total of 624 students transferred to OU for the Spring Semester, Jim Sabin, a university spokesperson, said.
Among the students who transferred to OU’s Athens campus is Amanda Shockey, a freshman studying psychology. Shockey transferred from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.
Due to personal reasons, Shockey decided to stay close to Perry, Ohio, her hometown, when she chose to attend Lake Erie College. Unfortunately, the small student population at Lake Erie College and close distance to a local jail were not ideal, Shockey said.
After touring OU in September 2021 and once again in October 2021, Shockey said she knew it was where she wanted to be.
“I came and visited (OU), and I really liked the vibe that the other students gave off; it just felt very homey,” Shockey said. “Then I did an official tour, and I was completely set on it, (and I) didn't even want to transfer anywhere else.”
Shockey attributes her fondness of OU to the people she’s met and the campus’ beauty.
Shockey was among 120 students who transferred to the Athens campus for the Spring Semester, Sabin said. Another 392 students enrolled through OU’s E-Campus.
Total transfer rates are slightly lower than last year’s. For the 2021 Spring Semester, there were 710 new transfer students. Of the 710 students, 93 transferred to the Athens campus, and 489 transferred to the E-Campus, Sabin said.
Data for students transferring out of OU is unknown due to a delay between students transferring and universities reporting that information to the National Student Clearinghouse, Sabin said. It also does not account for students who do not immediately enroll at other universities.
Despite the lack of data, there were students who decided to transfer out of OU, including Hannah Hershner, a sophomore studying communication sciences and disorders. Hershner transferred to Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a private Christian university.
Although Hershner enjoyed her time at OU, she felt it was in her best interest to attend a university that would support the lifestyle she aspired to have.
“I just went there because it was more Christian,” Hershner said. “I've struggled with drinking, and it's a pretty big spiritual conviction for me, and the temptation was just too high. I didn't want to fall back into that habit.”
Hershner and Shockey said OU’s faculty were supportive throughout the process.
“As for administration, they're very helpful with the step-by-step process, especially when it comes to figuring out the financial aspect and making sure that I'm not billed for anything if I'm not even there,” Hershner said.
Originally worried about transferring to OU, Shockey said she was welcomed to campus by fellow students.
“When I was preparing to come here, I was super nervous that everybody had already found their friend group, and I was just going to be the ‘new girl’,” Shockey said. “I've lived in two different buildings so far and, in both of my buildings, the people were just so welcoming (and) very inviting.”
