Here are some things you need to know, from someone who did it.
With so many Division I athletes entering the transfer portal nowadays, transferring between different playing styles can be a hard task. You need to have the right coaches, great teammates, and a cozy little bed that you can crawl into after a long day of practice.
This was me! Except…I’ve never played football…nor was I looking to start.
When I transferred from a larger public university to Gustavus Adolphus College in the spring of 2023, it felt bizarre to be moving so quickly. I had initially applied to Gustavus out of high school, and when I reapplied as a transfer, the College readmitted me and was willing to work with me, essentially picking up where we left off.
Visit this link to begin your transfer process
The tour of the Gustavus campus during my senior year of high school showed me how impressive the College was. The biggest obstacle for me was the cost, which, even with a scholarship, made it one of the most spendy options on my list. I decided instead to go to a public school that still catered toward my interests in humanities. But only half a semester in, I wasn’t “fitting in” the way I wanted, and I started to consider transferring.
I reached out to Gustavus again, and they told me that not only would they be willing to honor the scholarship they had offered me before, but I would also be able to enter the following semester instead of waiting a whole year. I’m grateful I was able to move so quickly and that the process was seamless, and it was only a three-month turnaround from deciding to transfer to finding myself in Saint Peter.
Because I didn’t start here at the beginning of the academic year, I didn’t get the same opportunities to make connections off the bat. I never got a Gustavus shirt with my class year on the back, I never got to plant a tulip in the Arb with my fellow first-years, and I didn’t go to any freshman orientation sessions. The school does have options for transfer students, but it’s up to you to make these important connections with other students. I will admit that I didn’t do the best with this at first, and so my initial time at Gustavus felt a little lonely. I was eventually able to break out of my bubble, but it wasn’t easy. People will talk to you, but sometimes, as a relative newcomer, you have to make the first move. It becomes easier when you know your major and you begin to share classes with the same people. This is very important: never take social connections lightly like I did for so long.
One thing any transfer student will want to make sure of is that you get the classes you want. I was initially assigned classes that seemed to be a good fit for me based on requirements I needed and my prospective majors. But of the four classes I was given, I only ended up sticking with one of them. The rest I switched out for classes I knew I would enjoy more. I trusted my own judgment on this since it was my first semester at this new school and I knew how engaged I was with the classes would make or break it. My advice: Always do your research and plan ahead, and take classes that are not only helpful for your graduation, but that you enjoy, even if it’s your first semester here and you need a lot of general education requirements.
But despite any early hiccups or “growing pains,” I chose to stay at Gustavus for the remainder of my college career for the overwhelming positives, including the dedication of the professors and the diverse selection of classes. Private schools often have a reputation of being rigid and unchanging, but the new curriculum, which began this semester, proves that the school is adaptable and ready to change.
My experience here has been fulfilling, and I’m on track to finish in spring 2025. For anyone considering whether they should transfer from where they are now, I hope you’ll consider Gustavus for your second, third, or even fourth adventure!