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.

Coming Soon: The Transfer Student Spotlight

Here in the Transfer Center we know that transfer students are amazing!  In meeting with hundreds of transfer students year after year we’ve come to appreciate the impressive accomplishments of students who have transferred to our school.  We want to be sure that others recognize this as well. To achieve this we are going to begin a new series of articles on the Transfer Center Blog, The Transfer Student Spotlight. Each month we will highlight the accomplishments of one of the U of U’s incredible transfer students. Don’t miss this chance to get to know transfer students from a variety of U majors who have accomplished great things in and out of the classroom.   

Transfer Students!

Want to Know What Classes Transfer to the U? Check out our Getting Ready Guides

Knowing what will transfer to your new school and what your credits will count for once you are accepted is essential information for a transfer student.  If you are a student attending any Utah college or university and know that you want to transfer to the U of U, this information is right at your fingertips and can be accessed long before you ever apply to attend the U.  

The University of Utah works closely with all Utah institutions of higher education (public and private) to create online transfer resources called Getting Ready Guides. The Guides show which credits will transfer to meet general and major requirements at the U.  The Getting Ready Guides can be found at:

http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/undergraduate/transfer/guides/

The Guides are organized by major and show which classes can be taken at other Utah schools to meet specific departmental requirements. Drop down menus make it easy to find your school and your U major.  A separate section explains which transfer credits meet U of U General Education requirements.

Smart transfer students use The Getting Ready Guides to plan their classes from the moment they decide they want to transfer to the U.  Careful planning will help keep you on track to your ultimate goal: graduation!

“My Transfer Credit Isn’t Filling a Requirement; What Should I Do?”

The U Transfer Center wants to welcome all new transfer students starting at the U in Spring Semester 2015!

We also want to answer a perennial question asked by many new transfer students, “What should I do if my transfer credits are not filling requirements at the U”?  The answer to this question depends on what type of requirement you are trying to fill. 

For General Education or Bachelor’s Degree Requirements:

Come to the Transfer Center. 

We are the ones who review classes that might have been missed in the initial credit evaluation done by the Admissions Office. If a class is determined to meet a requirement, a Transfer Center advisor will make a substitution on your DARS report.

You can make an appointment to sit down with an advisor and review the classes in question. This is a good idea if you have multiple classes that you would like reviewed. Make an appointment by going to: http://advising.utah.edu/scheduling/ or call the appointment desk: 801-581-8146.

If you have just one class you’d like to have looked at you are welcome to come to the Quick Answer Desk in the Transfer Center (450 SSB) and talk to an advisor.

It is a very good idea to present a course description and syllabus from the class to the advisor when you speak to them. 

In some cases it may be necessary for a student to do a General Education Appeal to get a transfer credit to fill a requirement. If this is necessary, your Transfer Center advisor can provide the needed paperwork and explain the appeal process to you.

For Major Requirements:

See your major advisor.   

Each department makes its own decisions on the applicability of transfer credits for major requirements.  Once again, you may need to provide a course description and syllabus to have your course evaluated.

Find contact information for your major advisor at: http://advising.utah.edu/mandatory-advising/first-year-advisors.php