16 HONEST PROS AND CONS of being a transfer student | The good and the bad of transferring from CC

Katie Ibsen | Fashion Scholar

11 May 202113:05

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Katie, known as The Vintage Academic, shares her insights as a junior transfer student at UC Berkeley. She highlights the financial benefits of starting at a community college, saving significantly on tuition compared to a four-year university. Despite the stigma sometimes associated with community college transfers, Katie emphasizes the value of accredited courses and the maturity transfer students bring, often being more prepared for the rigors of upper-division work. However, she also acknowledges the downside of not experiencing a full four years at the university.

Takeaways

💼 Being a transfer student from a community college can save a significant amount of money compared to attending a four-year university for the first two years.
🏛 Despite a potential stigma, community college courses are accredited and equivalent in difficulty to lower division courses at four-year universities.
👨‍🎓 Transfer students are often favored by professors for their hardworking nature, which can help counteract any stigma they might face.
🌱 Transfer students have had additional time to develop emotional maturity, which can be beneficial for handling the demands of upper division coursework.
🤝 Emotional maturity can also enhance social relationships and interactions, such as making friends, approaching professors, and managing schoolwork responsibly.
🏫 Transfer students may miss out on the full university experience as they do not spend four years at the same institution.
🎓 The transfer process can be a significant step for those looking to continue their education at a four-year university after starting at a community college.
📚 The video emphasizes the importance of considering both the financial and social aspects of being a transfer student when making educational decisions.
🌟 The speaker, Katie, shares her personal experience as a transfer student at UC Berkeley, providing an insider's perspective on the topic.
📈 The video serves as a guide for prospective transfer students, outlining both the advantages and challenges they may encounter.

Q & A

What is the primary financial benefit of being a transfer student from a community college mentioned in the script?
-The primary financial benefit is the significant cost savings from attending community college for the first two years instead of a four-year university, with the average cost of community college in California being around $1,300 compared to in-state tuition at a UC campus which can be upwards of $14,000 a semester.
What is the stigma associated with being a transfer student that the script discusses?
-The script mentions a stigma associated with attending community college and being a transfer student on a university campus, which can be challenging when fitting into a new environment and culture.
Why does the script argue that the stigma against community college is undeserved?
-The script argues that the stigma is undeserved because the courses at community colleges are accredited to be the same in terms of information and difficulty level as lower division courses at four-year universities.
What is one of the advantages of being a transfer student in terms of emotional maturity according to the script?
-One advantage is that transfer students have had additional time to become more emotionally mature, which can help them handle the strain of upper division coursework and navigate social relationships more effectively.
How does the script suggest that transfer students are perceived by professors?
-The script suggests that most professors view transfer students as their favorite students because they are considered the most hardworking.
What is a potential downside of being a transfer student mentioned in the script?
-A potential downside is that transfer students do not get the full four years of experience at their university, which might affect their overall college experience and integration into the university community.
What is Katie's academic background as described in the script?
-Katie is a junior transfer student at UC Berkeley studying anthropology with a focus in archaeology.
What is the script's main purpose in discussing the pros and cons of being a transfer student?
-The script aims to inform and prepare individuals who are considering transferring or have recently been accepted as transfer students, highlighting both the advantages and challenges they may face.
How does the script address the issue of emotional maturity for older or re-entry students?
-The script acknowledges that older or re-entry students like Katie, who might be 25 or older, have had even more time to develop emotional maturity, which is seen as a positive aspect of being a transfer student.
What is the script's stance on the value of community college education?
-The script maintains that community college education is valuable and equivalent in accreditation and difficulty to lower division courses at four-year universities, despite any existing stigma.
How does the script suggest that emotional maturity can benefit transfer students in their academic life?
-The script suggests that emotional maturity can help transfer students in managing their coursework, approaching professors, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a more reasonable attitude towards their schoolwork.

Outlines

00:00

👋 Introduction and Background

Katie introduces herself as The Vintage Academic and a junior transfer student at UC Berkeley, studying anthropology with a focus on archaeology. She welcomes new viewers to her channel and sets the topic of the video, which will discuss the pros and cons of being a transfer student. The video aims to help those who are either receiving transfer acceptances or are considering applying to transfer in the future.

💰 Pro: Cost Savings of Community College

One of the major advantages of being a transfer student, Katie explains, is the financial savings. She notes that attending community college for the first two years of education is significantly cheaper than starting at a four-year university. In California, community college costs around $1,300 per year, compared to in-state tuition at a UC, which can exceed $14,000 per semester. This makes the first two years of education much more affordable.

😔 Con: Stigma Around Community College

Katie addresses the stigma associated with attending community college and being a transfer student. Despite the fact that her school and department have a large transfer community (65% in her major), the stigma can still be challenging, especially when entering a new environment. However, she emphasizes that this stigma is undeserved, as community college courses are accredited and on par with lower-division university courses. Professors often regard transfer students as the most hardworking students.

😌 Pro: Emotional Maturity Gained Before Transfer

Katie highlights the benefit of having more time to develop emotional maturity before transferring to a university. As a re-entry student over 25, she has had time to grow emotionally, which helps with managing the challenges of upper-division coursework and social relationships. She argues that emotional maturity also improves one's approach to projects, deadlines, and interactions with professors.

⏳ Con: Limited Time at University

One downside of transferring, Katie explains, is that transfer students do not get to experience the full four years at their university. This might limit their opportunities to build long-term relationships, fully immerse themselves in the campus culture, or take advantage of university resources compared to students who start as freshmen.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Transfer Student

A transfer student is an individual who has completed some of their college education at one institution and then continues their studies at another. In the context of the video, the speaker, Katie, is a transfer student at UC Berkeley, having completed her initial years at a community college. This status allows her to share firsthand insights about the advantages and challenges of being a transfer student, such as the financial benefits and the potential stigma associated with community college transfers.

💡Community College

A community college is a type of higher education institution that offers two-year associate degrees and certificates. In the video, Katie discusses how attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university can be a cost-effective strategy, as community colleges often have lower tuition fees. This is exemplified by the significant cost difference Katie mentions between community college and UC Berkeley tuition.

💡Stigma

Stigma refers to a negative stereotype or prejudice against a particular group. In the video, Katie addresses the stigma that can sometimes be associated with community college and transfer students, suggesting that despite this, the quality of education received at community colleges is on par with that of four-year universities. She also notes that transfer students are often viewed favorably by professors for their work ethic.

💡Emotional Maturity

Emotional maturity refers to the ability to understand, manage, and express one's emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. Katie highlights emotional maturity as a pro for transfer students, suggesting that the additional time spent outside of a traditional college environment can contribute to personal growth and better handling of academic pressures and social interactions.

💡Cost Savings

Cost savings refer to the reduction in expenses or the avoidance of unnecessary costs. A key point in the video is the financial advantage of being a transfer student, as Katie explains that community college tuition is significantly lower than that of a four-year university, leading to substantial cost savings for students who choose this educational path.

💡Accredited Courses

Accreditation is a process by which an educational institution or program is officially recognized as meeting certain quality standards. Katie emphasizes that courses at community colleges are accredited, ensuring they provide education equivalent in content and rigor to those at four-year universities. This accreditation is important for transfer students as it validates their coursework when transferring.

💡UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley, or the University of California, Berkeley, is a prestigious public research university and a member of the University of California system. Katie mentions being a junior transfer student at UC Berkeley, which provides the context for her discussion on the experiences and considerations for transfer students at a high-profile university.

💡Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human societies, cultures, and their development. Katie introduces herself as studying anthropology with a focus in archaeology, which sets the stage for her discussion on the academic and personal aspects of being a transfer student in a specific field of study.

💡Archaeology

Archaeology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artifacts and the analysis of ancient structures. Katie's focus on archaeology within her anthropology major is relevant to her perspective as a transfer student, as it informs her academic journey and the content of her coursework.

💡Junior Transfer Student

A junior transfer student is a student who transfers to a four-year university after completing their freshman and sophomore years at a community college. Katie identifies herself as a junior transfer student, which is significant as it indicates her stage in the academic process and the timing of her transfer, allowing her to share insights relevant to students considering a similar path.

💡Upper Division Coursework

Upper division coursework refers to advanced or more specialized classes typically taken by students in their junior and senior years of college. Katie mentions the strain of upper division coursework as a challenge that transfer students may face, particularly those who have not had the full four years to acclimate to university life and the increased academic demands.

Highlights

Being a transfer student from community college can save a significant amount of money compared to attending a four-year university for the first two years.

In California, the average cost of community college is around $1,300, while UC in-state tuition can be over $14,000 a semester.

Despite a welcoming environment at some universities, there can be a stigma attached to being a transfer student or attending community college.

The stigma against community college is undeserved as the courses are accredited and match the difficulty of lower division courses at four-year universities.

Transfer students are often favored by professors for their hardworking nature.

Transfer students have had additional time to develop emotional maturity, which can be beneficial for handling upper division coursework.

Emotional maturity can also aid in social relationships and approaching academic responsibilities with a more mature attitude.

One of the cons of being a transfer student is the lack of a full four-year experience at the university.

Transfer students may miss out on certain aspects of university life due to not being present for all four years.

The community college experience can provide a solid academic foundation at a reduced cost.

Transferring can be a strategic move for students looking to save money on their education.

The transfer student population is significant at some universities, creating a supportive community.

The perception of community college education is changing, with recognition of its academic rigor.

Transfer students often demonstrate a strong work ethic, which is appreciated by faculty.

The maturity gained through the transfer process can lead to better social and academic outcomes.

Transfer students may face challenges in integrating into a new campus culture.

The transition to a four-year university can be smoother for transfer students with prior college experience.

Transfer students may have a better understanding of their academic goals due to their time at community college.

The financial savings from attending community college first can have a significant impact on a student's overall college experience.

The transfer experience can vary greatly depending on the university and its support for transfer students.