By Allison Dooley/reporter
All students should see a counselor for advisement, a South Campus career counselor said during a seminar last week on South Campus.
Counselor Sandra Johnson, South career services coordinator Monica Bettle and representatives from other colleges presented Transferring to a University Feb. 10 to about 20 South Campus students. The four universities provided curriculum and transfer information.
Besides getting information and being prepared, Johnson said meeting with a counselor to discuss transfer plans is imperative for students.
Juana Montford-Chapman, admissions advisor at the DeVry University Irving Campus, said a bachelor’s degree can be obtained in as little as two years and eight months at the business-oriented university.
“We don’t have football. We don’t have homecoming, but we do have jobs,” she said.
Montford-Chapman said DeVry has a 96 percent job placement rate with a $43,000 average starting salary for graduates.
Adrienne Walker, admission counselor for Texas Wesleyan University, said the average class size of 27 appeals to students. The school has about 3,000 students, and Walker said many Wesleyan students like having small class sizes and professors who know them.
Joael Kelly, TCU’s director of transfer admission and former TCC student, said a student transferring to TCU would have numerous opportunities.
“We’re a very transfer-friendly school,” she said. “Don’t let the price tag scare you off. We give a lot of financial aid.”
Keith Fernander, assistant director of admissions, said UNT offers many types of majors and scholarships for transfer students.
The four college representatives agreed students should be prepared and learn as much information as they can before making a decision to pursue a four-year degree. Students should visit campuses, call counselors and apply to many different colleges to keep their options open.
“I encourage you to visit campuses and see what the schools are like and what they have to offer,” Walker said.
Meeting with a counselor to create a transfer plan that meets the needs of each student is necessary for a student’s success.
“Don’t listen to friends who may mean well, and don’t listen to parents who are trying to help,” Johnson said. “Meet with a counselor to help you develop a plan that is best for you.”
Transfer students also need to consider picking a career that will have future employment opportunities. While many occupations have suffered job losses, education, technology and health care have not yet been affected by the economic slowdown and are likely to stay in demand in the future, Montford-Chapman said.
TCC sophomore Colbie McCasland, who plans to transfer to UTA to pursue a nursing degree, said the seminar was “very informative.”
Ashleigh Kady, a TCC freshman who plans to transfer but is still undecided what school she will attend, found the seminar helpful and plans to meet with her counselor.
“I learned to always go to your counselor,” she said. “That’s what they are there for. No question is too big or too small.”
