Computing Advisors Welcome a Growing Number of Transfer Students

The majority of Georgia Tech students begin their studies right after high school. However, hundreds of students each year start their Yellow Jacket journeys as transfer students from other higher education institutions.

To support the nearly 350 transfer students that started this fall in the College of Computing, the College’s Undergraduate Advising Office recently held its inaugural Transfer Student Week.

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The advising team designed the week’s events, held Sept. 18 - 22, to highlight the needs of transfer students enrolled as computer science (CS) and computational media (CM) majors. Events included workshops on developing good study habits, practicing mindfulness, and conquering imposter syndrome. Student mixers and a student-led webinar about the challenges and opportunities for transfer students were also part of the agenda.

“We have heard students continuously state that they desire community and fellowship with their peers. We, in the advising office, like to create spaces for community and also provide referrals to resources that can be helpful,” said Ashley McDowell, an academic advisor in the College of Computing.

Beyond the week’s events, the College advising team has Transfer Champions that focus on the needs of transfer students. The champions, including McDowell and advisors Brianna Lampert and Ishmela Lyons-Uko, promote resources available to these students and help acclimate them to the systems and resources within the College and the Institute.

“It is important that transfer students get involved on campus. Whether it is taking the opportunity to study abroad, complete an internship, or participate in faculty-led research, there is still time for transfer students to do all that a first-year student would have the opportunity to do,” said McDowell.

The number of CS and CM transfer students has increased in recent years. This fall's total of 349 is 28% higher than last year and 63% higher than fall 2021.

The events were part of National Transfer Student Week, which the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) organizes. Set for Oct. 16 – 20, NTS is celebrated at colleges and universities nationwide to help transfer students build community, promote wellness, and support readiness for students navigating a transfer.