Questions to Ask Transfer Admissions Representatives
Asking the right questions will reduce or perhaps eliminate the uncertainties associated with selecting a transfer college or university. Beyond "Will my classes transfer and Do they offer the program I want," the following will provide you with a plethora of areas and questions that you may have not considered.
- When should I apply for admissions?
- Is there an application deadline?
- Is there an application fee?
- What factors determine my admission?
- What is the average GPA of transfer student accepted?
- What is the average number of new enrolled transfer students each year?
- How many OCC transfer students apply each year and how many are accepted?
- May I be admitted with an undeclared major?
- May I apply prior to receiving my associate degree?
- Are there programs that require a separate or additional application?
- If so, which ones?
- Who is the contact person for transfer students?
- When is my admission status determined and when will I find out?
- How much is tuition per credit hour, per year?
- What fees are required and how much are they?
- If I live on campus what is the yearly cost for room and board?
- What scholarships are available for transfer student and what amounts?
- When should I apply for financial aid/scholarships?
- What percent of transfer students receive financial aid?
- Is work‐study available?
- What percent of transfer students graduate and what is the average time it takes to do so?
- Upon graduation, what percent of transfer students pursue a graduate degree?
- What makes your college/university transfer friendly?
- What type of transfer students are happiest and successful at your college/university?
- What do transfer students enjoy most about your college/university?
- How are transfer students made to feel a part of your college/university community?
- What are the strengths of the college/university as they relate to transfer student success?
- As a transfer student, what challenges may I experience?
- What are the weakness of the college/university as they relate to transfer student success?
- What is the number one complaint from transfer students about your college/university?
- What are the demographics of students?
- What percentage of students are transfer?
- What percentage of transfer students are from OCC?
- What makes the student body unique?
- Are students friendly?
- How racially and ethnically diverse is the campus?
- Do students of different races, ethnicities and socio‐economic interact easily?
- Are there many students from other countries?
- Are students cliquish?
- How would you describe the average student?
- Does your college/university have a Transfer Credit Agreement with OCC for the program
I am planning
majoring in? - Will each of my transfer credits apply to specific program and/or degree requirements?
Where can I find OCC course evaluations and what does it mean if the course(s) is not listed? - What is the maximum amount of specific program and degree requirements transfer credits accepted?
- What is the average number of transfer credits that are not applied to anything (additional elective credits beyond any that may be needed)?
- Are military credits accepted? If so, how and where do they apply?
- Is prior learning credit for training, certification and experience outside of the classroom available?
- If I satisfy the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) requirements at OCC will there be any additional
- general education requirements?
- If so, which ones and can they be satisfied by transfer credit?
- Is satisfying the MTA required in order to transfer to your college/university
- Do I need to attend full time?
- Is the program in a cohort format (set courses to take each semester)?
- Is the program available in an accelerated format (6 or 8 weeks semesters/terms)?
- Is the program available online?
- What are the most competitive majors?
- What programs are most and least successful for transfer students?
- What program(s) have the highest placement rate(s) in the field of study?
- What department(s) or programs have the best reputations?
- How is your program different from colleges/universities offering the same one?
- Can I complete my remaining program and degree requirements within two years if attending full‐time?
- How long will it take to complete my remaining program and degree requirements if
I am attending part
time? - How many more credits will I need to complete my degree?
- Is it easy to change majors?
- Are internship and co‐ops available?
- Are study abroad opportunities available?
- Are courses available mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and online?
- How long is the semester/term?
- What is the largest and smallest class size?
- How many students are in the average class?
- What is the average class size of the program I am interested in?
- Do transfer students receive priority registration?
- How are transfer students advised for registration?
- What is the instructor to student ratio?
- Are classes more lecture or discussion based?
- What percentage of junior senior level courses are taught by professors verses teaching assistants?
- Are finals more exam, project or essay based?
- Are transfer students able to take most of their first‐choice classes?
- What resources and services are available to transfer students?
- What kind of learning disability resources are available?
- What support services do students need to pay for?
Is a writing center available to assist with research papers and essays?- Is it free?
- What days & times?
- Are services available online?
- Is tutoring available?
- What subjects?
- Is it free?
- What days & times?
- Are services available online?
- Are computer labs with a variety of days and hours available?
- What type of academic and social support are available for transfer students?
- How would you describe transfer advising services?
- How accessible are academic advisors?
- What are their hours, days and methods available (i.e. telephone, web, email, etc.)?
- What free resources and support services are available?
- What kind to learning disabilities resources are available?
- Are transfer peer mentors available?
- How accessible are administrators, registrars, financial aid officers, etc.?
- How accessible is public transportation?
- Is childcare available?
- Is it free?
- What days & times?
- Is there an active alumni network?
- Are the professors accessible outside of class and do the hold scheduled office hours?
- Am I required to live on campus?
- Is married housing available?
- What percentage of transfer students live on‐campus verses off‐campus?
- How will I meet other transfer students?
- Are there specific clubs, organizations or activities for transfer students?
- What are the most popular club and organizations for transfer students?
What do transfer students do for fun? - Are events mostly on campus or off?
What were some of the biggest and most popular events last year?
- What is unique about your college/university?
- What leads most transfer students here?
- What are the college’s most important values, and how are they demonstrated to the students?
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Why am I at OCC and what is my goal?
- What am I looking for that OCC does not offer (i.e. program, degree, housing, social, etc.)?
- Can I afford to transfer at this time?
- Can I take additional courses at OCC before transfer?
- How will the transfer college/university help me reach my goals?
Contact Information
Schedule an appointment: (248) 341-2270
Counseling email: askacounselor@oaklandcc.edu
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (On Campus & Virtual)
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (On Campus & Virtual)
- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (Virtual)
- Wednesdays: Same-Day Drop-In Counseling | Join the waitlist to view current wait times
- 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (or until all spots are filled.)
- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. ( Virtual only - or until all spots are filled.)
- Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (On Campus & Virtual)
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (On Campus & Virtual)
- Please note: Highland Lakes has virtual services only on Friday
- Saturday (see dates below): 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Virtual)
- First two Saturdays in January
- Entire month of July (except July 5)
- Entire month of August (Drop in only; Join the waitlist to view current wait times)
- Entire month of December
Auburn Hills Campus
2nd Floor B Building
Fax (248) 232-4355
Highland Lakes Campus
2nd Floor of Woodland Hall
Fax: (248) 942-3055
Orchard Ridge Campus
1st Floor of M Building
Fax: (248) 522-3696
Royal Oak Campus
1st Floor of B Building
Fax: (248) 246-2455