It is often said that the college admission profession attracts two types of people: those who see it as a steppingstone in their careers and those who dedicate their lives to the work. When I accepted the position of transfer admission counselor 22 years ago, I wasn't sure which path I would follow. Looking back though, I realized I was always meant to be a lifer—I just didn't know it yet.

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

Thinking about transferring? Not sure where to start? Rachelle Setsodi, from our Transfer Committee, is also the Associate Director of Transfer Admission at Drake University, and has these terrific transfer tips for students and the advisors working with them.

What transfer planning resources are available to your students?

As we begin another academic year, college campuses across the state are busy with transition programs for new students. From welcome week activities to first-year seminars to peer mentoring programs for incoming freshmen, the opportunities for first-year students to get help mastering their transition to college are abundant. However, it is important to recognize the great work that many colleges and universities are doing to help a different group with their college transition: transfer students. Three campuses, Iowa State University, Central College, and the University of Iowa, shared their initiatives to help transfer students make a successful transition to their new university.