Important Tips for Transfer Students

Course load: Most transfer students are on a "tight schedule" and feel they need to graduate within a set number of terms. Nonetheless, you might consider taking a slightly reduced load your first term here. Change does take adjustment in both one's personal and academic life and adjustment takes time and energy. It is often wiser to start a little cautiously until you get the "feel" of the College and life in Ann Arbor. Often you can make up the credits in subsequent terms by electing just one or two "extra" credits per term.

Rules and Regs: Every College has a different way of handling such issues as dropping classes, non-graded courses, incomplete grades, etc. Never assume you know an answer until you have checked an authoritative source. The LS&A Bulletin, which you will receive during Orientation, contains the rules that will apply to you during your tenure here. You will be held responsible for those rules, so keep the Bulletin where you can use if for reference.

Information: Your general advisor is a good resource and guide as you learn the ropes in this new setting. It is a good idea to keep in regular touch with your general advisor and to start consulting a concentration advisor as soon as you have decided where you want to focus your studies. Make a note of your general advisor's e-mail address so that you can reach him/her easily with quick questions; appointments have to be made in person in 1255 Angell or by phone 764-0332. Another resource for quick questions are the LS&A advisor's walk-in hours in the traditional residence halls. Lots of basic questions and information is available 24 hours a day on-line within the LS&A SAA web-site: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/

Finally, if all else fails, there is a "generic" e-mail advisor that you can reach by messaging:

Ask.LSA.Advising@umich.edu

Concentration: It is important for transfer students to carefully research options for concentrations and declare an area of study as soon as possible. Attention to this aspect of your degree is necessary so that you can make wise decisions; plan your classes so that you graduate in a timely fashion; and not overlook any important requirements. Just as general graduation requirements may differ from your former school, so to may concentration requirements have some differences.