Welcoming Transfer Students to Eastern

A communications professor at a reputable university in Philadelphia once joked that the euphoria transfer students experience in transitioning to a new college is like an envious man admiring his neighbor’s olive green lawn without having a peep at the water bill.

Regardless of the relentless efforts students and their parents dedicate to exploring the precise college that is right for them, it can be disheartening when they realize that their choice didn’t live up to their expectations. Even though some students nurse the notion that transferring to a new school might bring them joy, that perception is not always fulfilled.

On the other hand, unavoidable circumstances like the academic programs, cost, and social life might prompt students to opt out of going to their preferred schools. There is absolutely nothing wrong with transferring, for nearly 30 percent of college students actually do. As a matter of fact, transfer students all over the nation should be commended for being able to distinguish between what they want and need in the pursuit of higher education.

Obviously, the academics, cost, and social life are the core areas transfers expect their new schools to address satisfactorily. Eastern University is no exception as it thrives to provide all the necessary services that could enhance the learning experiences of both on-campus and commuting transfers.

“There is a large population of transfer students at Eastern University. We generally welcome about 60 new transfer students in the fall and 40 in the spring semesters,” explains Sarah Deysher, Transfer Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Community College Relations at Eastern.

According to Deysher, who works directly with transfer students as they complete their applications and consider enrollment at Eastern, their credits are first evaluated by the Office of the Registrar upon submission of their official transcripts. Transfers with more than 24 credits are mandated to register for Introduction to Faith, Reason and Justice for one credit, instead of the three credits required of first-year students. When asked about future plans of the university to increase transfer enrollment, Deysher expounds that communication literature is being designed to make this clearer. She points out that there are many pieces that need to come together to enable prospective transfers to make informed decisions on attending Eastern.

“Interoffice communication is quite vital in ensuring transfers receive all the needed information,” Deysher adds.

Molly Cannon, a sophomore transfer and an education major, is full of praises for Eastern, especially the students whom she finds friendly, kind and willing to accept transfer students without prejudice or being judgmental in any regard. When asked about the outstanding things at the university, Cannon wastes no time in elatedly interjecting that the warm support teachers give at the university is exceptionally outstanding, and their friendly attitude and desire to see students succeed is commendable.

“Another fascinating thing I found incredible about Eastern was the recent facilitation of my trip to New Zealand to study. I never dreamt of studying abroad until Eastern made it possible. Even though upon transfer I forfeited some of my credits, I remain grateful for the opportunity to be enrolled at Eastern,” Cannon concludes.

Olivia Jacabella is another transfer student trying to make a smooth transition into the Eastern culture of academia. She points out that her experience at Eastern has been great, and she has found the professors to be nurturing, knowledgeable, and eager to incorporate faith into what they are teaching. Olivia maintains that Eastern students are welcoming, and that has enabled her to make great friends, even though it’s hard to be a transfer at Eastern sometimes because of how closely the school is knitted. On the question of whether the university has lived up to her expectations, Jacabella replies in the affirmative.

“I feel like they did a good job describing all of these things during my transfer interview and tour. I will say that it helps to have friends that you can always go to in order to learn the Eastern lingo,” she says.