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Thursday, December 17, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight


Alfonso Lopez

Alfonso is a transfer student from Salt Lake Community College majoring in Anthropology with a Health Emphasis and minoring in Integrative Human Biology. His long-term goal is to attend medical school. Alfonso also hopes once he has graduated to be an active member of his community and plans to be involved in politics and policy-making especially in things related to community health and health care.

While at SLCC Alfonso was involved in Student Support Services a program for under-represented college students.  At the U of U he has taken a leadership role in organizing the annual Pre-Med Conference and has been involved with Community Engaged Learning.  He just completed an internship and plans to do another.

He chose to come to the U because it is a place that encourages students to pursue their dreams and to imagine and achieve a bright future for themselves. He also appreciated the high quality of the U’s academic programs especially in the areas of medicine and business.

He faced several challenges when he first transferred to the U. He found it difficult to adjust to the larger class sizes and the heavier work load in his courses.  He is now glad for the increased academic challenges he found at the U because he feels they have helped him become a better student which in turn will help him be a better working professional and citizen.

The University is lucky to have a student as accomplished and community-minded as Alfonso attending our school. We wish him all the best as he moves on to medical school and beyond!



Tuesday, November 3, 2015

November U Explore Open Houses



The Major Exploration Center at the University of Utah would like to invite all exploring transfer students (currently attending and prospective) to attend their upcoming November open houses. 

U Explore Open Houses bring together U of U majors, minors, and extra-curricular activities related to particular career paths. They provide a great chance to meet with advisors, professors, current students, and alumni from a variety of exciting U of U programs; and we’ll feed you!

I Think Therefore I Earn: Arts and Humanities Careers
November 9th
 


Media, Marketing, and Money
November 16th

11:30 to 1:00
West Ballroom in the Olpin Union Building
U of U Campus 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight




Kaitlin Frary


Students looking for a role model for how to be a successful transfer student at the U of U should look to Kaitlin Frary’s example.  Kaitlin is an exceptional U of U transfer student who attended Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, and the University of the Virgin Islands before coming to the University of Utah.

Kaitlin is majoring in Mining Engineering and has been extremely involved in extra- curricular activities related to her major including being Vice President of the Women in Mining Club and being active in The Society of Mining Engineers. Before she transferred she was very involved in the Engineering Club and the Chemistry Club at UVU.

She also just completed an exciting internship with Bowie Resources at their SUCFO mine in Salina, Utah. It is an underground coal mine. She worked with the reclamation and permitting group.   Kaitlin had an amazing experience working at Bowie Resources, “I learned so many things there that can’t be taught in a classroom. I would encourage all students to get an internship at some point in their college career.”

Kaitlin is also the primary care-giver for her 92 year grandmother, so she is a very busy person!

Kaitlin’s long-term goals are to work in project management at a mining company. She is especially excited about the possibility of working for international mining companies, so that she can live and work abroad.

Kaitlin chose the U of U because she wanted to stay in-state to take care of her grandmother, but also because the cost of going to the U was so much less than other schools.  Another big selling point were the many scholarship opportunities the U- especially the College of Mines and Earth Sciences - offered her.  She is the recipient of 3 scholarships: the WAAIME, the Freeport-McMoran, and the Browning.

Kaitlin admits that transferring to the U was pretty scary. It was hard to be thrown into a new group of people; she was worried about making new friends.  She now feels that her fears were unfounded. Joining clubs and doing extracurricular activities has helped her meet plenty of people in her department. She also appreciates the small size of her major; everyone gets to know each other because they take the same classes. She has also been able to really get to know her professors. She’s impressed by their concern for her academic success.

All transfer students should consider Kaitlin’s example of involvement when they begin their academic experience at the U.  Clubs, professional organizations, and internships are absolutely essential to building your resume, and they are a great way to network and make friends.

Kaitlin also provides a great example of how to fund your schooling at the U of U. General scholarships for transfer students can be hard to find, but departmental and major scholarships are much more plentiful. Transfer students should talk to their U of U major advisor about scholarships within their department and college.


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

October U Explore Open Houses

The Major Exploration Center at the University of Utah would like to invite all exploring transfer students (currently attending and prospective) to attend their upcoming October Open Houses. 

U Explore Open Houses bring together U of U majors, minors, and extra-curricular activities related to particular career paths. They provide a great chance to meet with advisors, professors, current students, and alumni from a variety of exciting U of U programs; and we’ll feed you!

Pathways to Health Professions
October 19th

 
From Concept to Product
October 26th


11:30 to 1:00
West Ballroom in the Olpin Union Building
U of U Campus




Friday, September 11, 2015

Transfer, Travel, and Learn!

College is all about learning right?  Well so is travel! So consider combining the two by participating in a U of U Learning Abroad Program.  Transfer students can benefit just as much from a Learning Abroad program as any other student, so start making plans for an amazing international experience by attending the GLOBAL U EXPO!
October 7th
11 AM to 2 PM
Union Ballroom on the U of U Campus

  • ·         Explore over 500 Learning Abroad Programs
  • ·         Enter a drawing for a learning abroad scholarship
  • ·         Attend a Learning Abroad 101 session

Prospective  transfer students are welcome!


Friday, August 28, 2015

The University of Utah Major Exploration Expo 2015

Unsure of your U of U major?  Trying to find the perfect minor to complement your degree?  Need to find ways to build your resume so you are ready for that job or graduate school search?

Accomplish all of these things (and collect a lot of swag!) at the Annual U of U Major Exploration Expo! 

The Expo is a giant event which brings all U of U majors, minors, and certificates and huge variety of extra-curricular activities together under one roof, so you can explore all the varied opportunities the U of U can offer you. 

You don’t have to be attending the U to come to the Expo; prospective transfer students are welcome to attend. We will even pay for your parking!

This year’s Expo will take place on:

Wednesday, September 30TH
From 10 am to 2 pm
in
The Olpin Union Ballroom on the U of U Campus


Perspective transfer students who plan to drive their car to the Expo can park in the pay lot to the east of the Union Building (check out the campus map for more information: http://map.utah.edu/ ). Once you are in the Union Building, stop by the Transfer Center table and we will give you a parking validation.

See you at the Expo!


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Tau Sigma Honor Society

Tau Sigma is a national honor society specifically for transfer students.  It recognizes academic excellence attained by transfer students in their first semester at their transfer institution. At the U of U, eligibility is determined by first semester grades and attendance at Transfer Tuesday events. Transfer Tuesdays are programs on a variety of topics relevant to transfer students. Check out the Tau Sigma website for more information:



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight

Nicolas N. Brown

Nicolas is another amazing transfer student from Salt Lake Community College! He has an Associates degree in General Studies and Automotive/Industrial Technologies.  He is majoring at the U in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Ergonomics and Safety. He hopes to work as a health and safety engineer.

Nicolas has been very involved in extra-curricular activities in his U of U major.  He is the Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee and works as an undergraduate research assistant in the department.

Nicolas is also deeply committed to helping his community. He hopes to become a public speaker for youth who have less than ideal life situations.  He wants to share his story of overcoming challenges in his life to inspire others. He also hopes to become a mentor to guide youth with life challenges as he was guided and mentored himself.

Nicolas chose the U for a variety of reasons including the reasonable cost; location close to home; and the ease of transferring credit from SLCC. He has been impressed by the number of family-friendly activities the U offers to students like himself who have young children.

Some of the challenges Nicolas faced when he first transferred to the U were adjusting to larger class sizes and a more aggressive homework schedule.  It was also difficult interacting with study groups comprised mostly of students who had been attending the U since the start of their college career. Nicolas was able to overcome these challenges by allowing more time for homework and carefully organizing his time. He also formed his own study group which included other transfer students who could share in the challenges of adapting to a new school.

Nicolas’ success in overcoming past challenges to go on to succeed in one of the most challenging majors at the U. is truly noteworthy.  The fact that he is also committed to helping others succeed makes him doubly amazing! The University of Utah is lucky to have such an accomplished transfer student at our school.



Monday, June 15, 2015

Hit the Ground Running!

Employers and graduate schools want to see an impressive resume of experiences in addition to good grades in challenging classes.  As a transfer student, you will have less time at the U of U to get involved in activities that will build that resume. To have the best chance of accomplishing your life goals you are going to need to hit the ground running after your acceptance to the U!

Start early, before you begin taking classes at the U, to identify resources and activities that will help you gain experience and develop skills that will help you in your future life.  Follow the links below to research just a few of the opportunities waiting for you at the University of Utah:

Career Services - http://careers.utah.edu/

Associated Students of the University of Utah - ASUU (student groups and organizations) - http://asuu.utah.edu/find-a-group

Bennion Community Service Center - http://bennioncenter.org/


Office of Undergraduate Research - http://our.utah.edu/



The Pre-Professional Advising Office (professional school information -Pre Med, Pre Health, Pre Law etc.) - http://advising.utah.edu/preprofessional/

Student Leadership Development -http://deanofstudents.utah.edu/leadership/



My U Signature Experience (MUSE) - http://muse.utah.edu/



Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Meet with Your Major Advisor Early and Often!

Even if you love school, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of extra time (and money!) completing your Bachelors Degree. One of the best ways to stay on track to graduate is to meet early and often with the advisor for your University of Utah major. 

Smart transfer students begin contacting their major advisor at the U long before they actually transfer.  Everything you take before and after your transfer can be impacted by major requirements and should be taken only after consulting with the expert on these requirements: your U of U major advisor.

Go to: http://advising.utah.edu/mandatory-advising/second-year-advisors.php. to find out how to contact the advisor for your major at the U.  


Your major advisor can be one of the most important resources for success that you will have during your time at the U of U. It’s never too early to meet and get to know them.


Monday, April 27, 2015

U Decide: YouTube Videos Can Help with Major and Career Exploration




Everybody knows that watching YouTube videos can be lots of fun, but did you ever think that it might also help you decide on your college major and future career? Advisors in the Major Exploration Center at the University of Utah think that it can.  They feel that YouTube has some valuable things to offer students as they work through these important life decisions.

Major Exploration Center advisors have put together an amazing playlist of videos on topics relevant to these decision-making processes. Check out the playlist at:

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight

Lily Wu

Lily is a transfer student from Salt Lake Community College double majoring at the U of U in Asian and International Studies with a minor in Japanese.

While at SLCC Lily was heavily involved in the Peer Action Leadership group.  As part of this group she helped with many SLCC events, doing over 200 hours of community service! Some of the notable events that she helped with were the Sweethearts Dance at the Taylorsville Senior Center and the 1000 Cranes for Japan activity in memory of the Tohoku disaster in Japan.  Lily was the primary leader for this event.

While at the U of U, Lily has participated in a Learning Abroad program at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.  She has also been involved in activities with the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs and she currently works in Career Services.

Lily’s long term goals are to work in the Foreign Service or some other sort of government work.  She recently accepted an offer through the Japanese Embassy in Denver to work with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) where she will have the opportunity to teach English in Japan.  She eventually hopes to end up living in Ireland or the United Kingdom.

Lily chose to transfer to the U because of the great resources it offered such as the Learning Abroad Center, Career Services, and the Asia Center. She also liked the fact that the campus was easily accessible by public transit and that as a student she could ride for free.

She felt a bit lost at the U at first.  The campus seemed large compared to SLCC, and it took her a while to get used to all the new terminology and policies she encountered here. She eventually got used to all the changes and enjoyed the new challenges and opportunities the U offered her.

We are glad Lily chose to transfer to the U of U!  It will be great to have her representing our school as she travels the world!


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Don’t Forget the Enrollment Deposit!

Did you get admitted to the U?  Congratulations! Don’t forget to pay your enrollment deposit!  Every student admitted to the U. is required to pay a $150.00 enrollment deposit to confirm their intent to attend. This deposit goes toward their first semester’s tuition.

Until you pay this deposit you will not be able to sign up for an orientation; register for classes; or have your transfer work posted on your U of U record, so get this taken care of as soon as possible!

Before paying the deposit you must set up your U of U online account (called your CIS account) using the UNID sent to you in your acceptance letter. Go to the U’s home page www.utah.edu and click on the “CIS” link to get started. Once this is done, you can pay the deposit online.

Students with extenuating financial circumstances may qualify for an exemption from the enrollment deposit (called an “extension”). Find out more about situations in which a student can request an extension at: 


Delays in paying your enrollment deposit will slow down your ability to get started at the U of U, so take care of this important first step immediately after your acceptance.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Plan for Prerequisites


The University of Utah, like most colleges and universities, is serious about prerequisites! This is because taking classes in the right order; in the right window of time; and with a grade that guarantees mastery of the material is central to success as students move into higher level classes. You can’t build a solid academic career if you haven’t completed the foundation courses successfully and recently enough to remember what you learned. 

Demonstrating that you’ve met prerequisite course requirements can be tricky for students who took their prerequisites at a school other than the U.  If you are a transfer student who has taken or who is planning to take classes to transfer to the U to meet prerequisites consider the following:

·         Departments at the U of U have different policies and procedures for prerequisite checking. It is a good idea to contact the advisor in the department offering the class(es) you plan on taking at the U. to see what the process will be to show that you have met their prerequisites.

·         The content of the course, the grade, and how recently the course was taken could all be considered in determining if a class can act as a prerequisite.


·         In almost all cases it will be easier for you to show that you’ve completed a prerequisite if the class that you hope to use is posted on your U of U record. Many departments will not work with transcripts from other institutions; their checking systems can work only with posted credits. This means that applying to the U early – long before the application deadline - is imperative.  The following deadlines are optimal for applying to the U. They allow plenty of time for your transfer work to be posted before registration begins:
Fall Semester – Apply in February
Spring Semester – Apply in August
Summer Semester – Apply in January

·         If you are a student attending a Utah State System of Higher Education School (USHE) you will often find that your credits have been pre-approved to meet prerequisite requirements.  Once these credits are posted on your U record, they will automatically allow you to move on to the next class.

·         Students with out-of-state credits (and occasionally from USHE schools) will often be required to provide course descriptions and a syllabus from a class they would like to act as a prerequisite.  Saving the syllabi from your classes and knowing how to find course descriptions from your previous school can save you a lot of time after you have transferred to the U.

·         If the course you hope to use as a prerequisite is in progress at the time you are admitted to the U. contact the department offering the class your hope to take to see what the process will be to register for the next class.


·         The Registrar’s Office has a webpage with some basic information on prerequisite checking at the U and contains a list of departments currently enforcing prerequisites: http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/prereqstudent.php.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight

Clayton Booth

Clayton is a transfer student who came to the U from Weber State University.  He is majoring in International Studies with an emphasis in global health. His long-term goal is to go to dental school. 

Clayton is actively involved on campus working for the University of Utah Ambassadors Program in The Welcome Center.  For many prospective students, Clayton and the other U. Ambassadors are their first contact with the University of Utah. Clayton does a fantastic job welcoming these students and their families providing them with the information they need to find their place at U. Clayton is also involved at the LDS Institute on campus, and he volunteers in the Emergency Department at the U Hospital once week.

Getting to know people and offering them helpful services are the reasons that Clayton has chosen to be a dentist. Another thing drawing him to dentistry is his love for learning about the human body; Anatomy and Physiology are two of his favorite classes. He also loves to learn about different cultures and communities thus his major in International Studies.

After graduating from dental school he hopes to set up practice in his home town, Ogden, Utah.  He also hopes to travel the world helping people with his dentistry skills.

Clayton chose to transfer to the U because he knew it was a great research institution which offered an ideal place to prepare for dental school.  He likes the U’s dynamic environment. He enjoys seeing all the new construction and brand new buildings on campus. He also appreciates the emphasis on entrepreneurial activities at the U. It’s exciting for him to see faculty and students pushing boundaries with their innovations.

The biggest challenges that Clayton faced as a transfer student were in the early stages of transferring. He found it difficult to negotiate the complex transfer process and make a smooth transition. Transferring credits, finding a new job, getting to know campus, and accessing resources for Pre-Dental students were all early challenges for Clayton. The U offers lots of resources for transfer students, but it can be hard to discover opportunities and find out how to participate in them.

Clayton has certainly overcome these challenges and has gone on to become extremely knowledgeable about programs, resources, and policies. He uses this hard won knowledge and his own experiences as a transfer student to help others as they make their own transition to the U of U.


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

U Decide: U Explore Open Houses

U DECIDE

If you are a transfer student unsure of your major or minor, the U Explore Open Houses put on by the Major Exploration Center are a great resource to begin exploring some of your options.  These events bring together faculty, advisors, current students, and alumni from a variety of U of U majors and minors. In addition, extra-curricular resources related to highlighted majors are also present at these events, so you can not only find out about academic options but also ways to build a resume of real experiences.  Upcoming open houses include:

Going Global – March 2
·         International Studies
·         Latin American Studies
·         Comparative Lit and Cultural Studies
·         TESOL Certificate
·         Middle Eastern Studies
·         Asian Studies
        Public Policy and Advocacy – March 9
·         Ethnic Studies
·         Campaign Management Certificate
·         Political Science
·         Sociology

All Open Houses are held in the Collegiate Room in the Olpin Union Building from 12-1:30 PM.  At these events transfer students can enjoy free food, free parking, and a chance to explore some exciting options at the University of Utah.


Monday, February 23, 2015

Check Out the U of U College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Science has a lot to offer transfer students including: 12 majors, 17 minors, excellent professors, and tons of extracurricular opportunities!  Find out more by checking out their website for prospective students:

Be sure to look at the alumni spotlights which show some of the amazing things that can be done with a degree in the social sciences!


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Now Is the Time to Apply for Fall 2015

Are you thinking of transferring to the U of U for Fall 2015?  If so, then apply now! 

The official application deadline for Fall Semester is April 1st, but don’t wait until then to apply. Registration for Fall Semester 2015 classes will begin in April and popular classes can fill up very quickly. Processing of applications can take several weeks and following acceptance you must attend an orientation session before you can register for any classes.  If you apply for Fall Semester now, your application should be processed in time to get into the classes you want to take.

Here is what you need to do:


  • Pay your application fee.

  • Send transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you have credit.


  • Once accepted, you will need to pay a $150.00 enrollment deposit to hold your place at the U. This deposit will go toward your first semester’s tuition.


Friday, February 13, 2015

Let Us Help You Select Your U of U Major


U DECIDE
Deciding on your major is a daunting task, especially for transfer students. It’s difficult to research all your options when you are not physically at the school you plan to attend. Don't use this as an excuse to delay making a choice. It is very important to make this decision as early as possible because selecting courses, determining when to transfer, and many other academic planning decisions rest on your major choice.

Never fear! The University of Utah has some amazing resources to help you select the best possible major and minor for you.  We have online resources that can be accessed from almost anywhere and on-campus activities and events that are open to current and prospective students.

Over the next several months The Transfer Center will partner with the U of U Major Exploration Center to bring you a series of posts which highlight major and career exploration resources for transfer students.  We are calling the series, U Decide.


If you are unsure of your major or minor or if you’d just like to be sure your current choice is right for you, check out our U Decide posts!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Transfer Student Spotlight



Michael Francisco Daniel

Michael is a transfer student from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).  His major at the U of U is Communications with an emphasis in Journalism.

Mike was very involved in extra-curricular activities while at SLCC working as a Peer Action Leader in the Multicultural Center.  He assisted with events and activities which helped people learn about and value cultural diversity.  When he got to the U. he continued his involvement by becoming a peer mentor in the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs (CESA) working specifically with diverse transfer students.  As a peer mentor, Mike uses his experiences as a transfer student and his hard-earned knowledge of the U to help other students who want to transfer to the U. He advises students weekly at various SLCC campuses as well as coordinating activities and events at SLCC and the U.

Mike has enjoyed his role as a transfer student peer advisor so much that his long-term career goal is to work with them as a professional academic advisor.  He also enjoys performing and would love to try his hand at stand-up comedy or acting.

Mike has other fascinating and diverse interests outside the classroom. He is a DJ for the University of Utah’s student radio station, KUTE. He specializes in blues, jazz and swing music. He is also passionate about martial arts.  He trains in a variety of styles but his favorite is Jiu Jitsu. He would love one day to become a specialist in the history of martial arts.

Mike enjoys being at the U. but admits it was challenging adjusting to his new school when he first arrived.  He found the homework requirements different from his experience at SLCC, and the physical size of the U campus was also daunting.

The U of U is lucky to have a great student like Mike! The way he so willingly shares his talents and abilities with others truly enhances the University community.