For Alexis Bremer, coming to MSU right out of high school wasn’t an option.
Because of the high cost of tuition and uncertainty of what degree she wanted to pursue, Bremer said she chose to attend a community college for her first two years of school before transferring to a larger university.
Bremer, a criminal justice sophomore, is among approximately 1,535 students admitted to MSU this fall — making up 17 percent of the incoming class, said Jim Cotter, MSU’s director of admissions.
“Transfer students are very much an important part of the enrollment process here at MSU,” Cotter said.
Recently in the Big Ten, the University of Minnesota said it plans to reduce the amount of transfer students it admits as many don’t adjust well, according to Minnesota Public Radio.
However, Cotter said the number of transfer students at MSU has remained steady throughout the past 10 years, averaging around 1,500 new transfer students each fall and about 600 students each spring — with no plan to change.
Of those transfers, approximately 61 percent came from two-year institutions, or
community colleges, Cotter said.
About half of the students attending community colleges indicate they are there for the sole purpose of transferring, said Michael Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.
Although transfer students tend to do as well academically as those who started as a freshman at any particular university, Hansen said transfer students might have difficulties adjusting in other areas.
Most community colleges throughout the state offer services that make the transition easier for students, including transfer guides and counselors, he said.
Now in her first semester at MSU, Bremer said she finally feels at home.
“I’ve always dreamed of going to a big school — it seemed like the right thing to do,” Bremer said.
“There are a lot more opportunities here.”
Although Bremer said she struggled in her classes at the beginning of the semester, she is starting to feel comfortable with her academic schedule.
“It’s a huge adjustment,” she said.
“Going from classes of 30 kids to a lecture of 400 is definitely a different experience.”
The transition reached beyond academics into social acceptance, Bremer said.
Although she already had friends who attended MSU before she transferred, she said it was hard to meet new people since many friendships had already been established and a lot of the students in her dorm are freshmen.
“It’s harder to meet people when you’re not in the same boat,” she said.
“I think I missed out on the whole freshman bonding experience, but I’m not complaining because I love it here.”
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