For transfer students, choosing a college is often very different from the traditional first-year search process.

Many transfer students are balancing academics alongside work, family responsibilities, financial considerations, or the emotional weight of changing direction. Some are transferring from community colleges, while others are leaving institutions that simply were not the right fit. Whatever their path, transfer students often navigate these transitions with a unique mix of hope and uncertainty.

As admission counselors, we spend a great deal of time discussing transfer pathways and credit evaluations—and those conversations absolutely matter. However, creating a truly transfer-friendly campus goes beyond making credits transfer smoothly.

A transfer-friendly campus begins with clear communication. Students should understand how their credits apply, what their academic path looks like, and who they can turn to for support. Confusing processes and delayed communication can quickly add stress to an already overwhelming transition.

Equally important is helping transfer students feel like they belong. One of the biggest concerns transfer students carry is whether they will be able to build connections and find community after arriving on campus. Unlike first-year students, transfer students often enter after social circles, routines, and traditions have already formed. Stepping into an environment where everyone else seems settled can feel intimidating.

For many students, those connections begin during their first campus visit. Admission counselors are often a student's first point of contact and among the first people to provide intentional support and encouragement. Those early interactions can play a critical role in helping students develop a sense of belonging and confidence in their decision.

But support cannot end when the admission after their registration appointment. Many of us have former students who continue to reach out long after their first registration appointment. I can think of several students I recruited years ago who still text me for advice or simply to share updates about their lives. Those ongoing relationships are a reminder that connection matters and is the most rewarding part of my job.

Transfer-friendly campuses also recognize that transfer students are not all the same. Each student comes with their own unique story and is at a different stage of life and educational journey.   Some are commuters, adult learners, student-athletes, or first-generation students balancing multiple responsibilities outside the classroom. Supporting transfer students effectively requires flexibility, empathy, and an understanding that their educational journeys may look different from traditional pathways. For me, this is one of the most interesting parts of working with transfer students. 
I enjoy helping students fit together all of the pieces of the puzzle and identify the path that best supports their goals.

What transfer students often need most is reassurance that they are not “behind.” In reality,  many transfer students bring resilience, adaptability, and perspective that strengthen campus communities in meaningful ways. When institutions focus only on the logistics of transfer, they miss the opportunity to support the student behind the transcript.

Being transfer-friendly is not just about accepting credits. It is about helping students feel seen, supported, and connected as they continue building their educational journeys. For many students, that sense of belonging can make all the difference. As higher education professionals, we should continue asking not only how students transfer credits, but also how they transfer connection, confidence, and belonging.

[Editor's Note: Christine was an Iowa ACAC Opportunity Grant recipient, through which she was able to attend the MIDWest Conference. For more information on how you can apply for the Grant to help attend Iowa and NACAC events, visit https://www.iowaacac.org/opportunity-grant]