The following is a glimpse of life as a transfer student through the eyes of students who have already made the transition.

Read on to discover advice and experiences of transfer students from a mix of majors and backgrounds.

Caitelyn Nguyen

Major: Equine science

Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Transferred from: Ellsworth Community College

• Why did you choose NDSU?

After I heard about the equine program and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association hunt seat team, I knew I wanted to attend NDSU. I also wanted to experience a slightly larger school than Ellsworth Community College.

• Do you have any suggestions or advice for transfer students?

Don't be afraid to ask for help; use your resources and know that your professors and academic advisors are there to help you. Make sure to get involved; whether it's something new or something you haven’t done before; you can make amazing friends through new organizations and clubs. 

• What are your tips on how to adapt to NDSU?

Go out and do campus activities. It's one of the best ways to make friends. A tip I would suggest is to print out your schedule and stroll around campus the day before classes start to find what buildings you will have class in. Don't be afraid to ask for directions.

• Describe your transfer experience.

NDSU is quite a bit different from my last school. I had family close by, so I always had someone to go to, where here at NDSU, I have no family or family friends nearby. However, my roommate and friends make me feel at home. I joined two organizations and a competition team within weeks of arriving at NDSU. It was one of the best choices I have made. I made a couple of great friends and even a few amazing ones. Now that I am more acclimated to NDSU, I am not afraid to speak up in class or approach my classmates.  

• How have advisers, faculty and fellow students helped with your transition?

My roommate has been a big help in my transition. She has helped me find my classes, made me feel welcomed, and is now one of my close friends. NDSU professors have also helped me get used to the class structures, as well as know when classes meet in person, online or in a different location. Everyone I have met here has been a huge help to my transition, and I hope I can do the same for others.

Jennifer Montanez Garcia

Major: Accounting and finance

Hometown: Melrose, Minnesota

Transferred from: St. Cloud Technical and Community College

• Why did you choose NDSU?

When I heard about the life on campus and the community, I thought I would be a good fit. I wanted to come to NDSU since I was a sophomore in high school; I loved their campus and its size was just perfect for me. I toured campus about three times to make sure I was making the right decision, and it turned out just as I planned.

• Do you have any suggestions or advice for transfer students?

Try to always be on top of deadlines, and do campus tours. Have in mind that you are working toward your future, but have fun while you’re at it. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Everybody gets confused, and that is okay. Also, take classes that will transfer or are equivalent to what they offer; stay on top of that.

• What are your tips on how to adapt to NDSU?

Ask for help when you need it, meet new people, try to get involved on campus and get along with your roommates. Your professors are there to help you and answer anything related to your major or classes – do not hesitate to contact them. And get to know your area around campus and off campus.

• Describe your transfer experience.

My experience was pretty easy. I had a couple struggles, like adapting to meet people remotely, but NDSU was very helpful about deadlines and reminders about moving-in day, orientation and registering for classes. It was great knowing all my credits transferred and that I did not have to retake the same classes.

• How have advisers, faculty and fellow students helped with your transition?

The fellow students I have met so far have made me feel included. My adviser helped me pick out classes and suggests which classes I should take together. Also, having a faculty adviser makes it a lot easier for you to be confident and ask questions whenever you feel lost.

Grace Dragseth

Major: Agriculture Education

Hometown: Fairview, Montana

Transferred from: Williston State College

• Why did you choose NDSU?

I chose NDSU because it is known for its outstanding agriculture and education programs.

• Do you have any suggestions or advice for transfer students?

NDSU is one of the best schools to transfer to. Everyone around campus is very welcoming and pleasant. NDSU honestly makes you feel right at home. Some advice that I can give to transfer students is to step out of your comfort zone every single day. If you want to try something new, do it. If you want to try out a new club or organization, do it. Also, make as many friends around campus as possible; it will make your experience here at NDSU that much more enjoyable.

• What are your tips to adapt to NDSU?

If you’re a typical small-town North Dakota girl, like myself, city life in Fargo is probably one of the only most difficult things to get used to. Some things that you can do to stay sane from the hustle and bustle of Fargo is to get involved. Get involved in as many clubs and organizations on campus as possible. One club that really helped me last year was the Saddle and Sirloin Club. There, I participated in Little International and had the opportunity to show a heifer. Each day leading up to the show, starting in January, I was able to go to the beef barns and work with my heifer. It was nice to have that project and opportunity as it gave me a feel for home each time I stepped foot into that barn.

• Describe your transfer experience

The transfer process was actually pretty easy as I had a lot of help from my adviser, Dr. Adam Marx. He helped me make sure my classes were going to transfer smoothly each semester and would count as NDSU credits for graduation. NDSU really does put the students first to make sure they graduate on time. I couldn’t have asked for a better college to help me follow my dreams and aspirations of becoming a future agriculture educator. 

• How have advisers, faculty and fellow students helped with your transition?

Marx has been an absolute blessing to my college education. He’s made it an extremely smooth transfer from my hometown to here; helping me from even all the way back to the start of my freshman year at Williston State College. I’m also extremely grateful for everyone in the agriculture education program. They’ve all been absolutely welcoming and kind. Faculty and fellow students also have been great people to work with.

For more information or to apply, visit our transfer page.