Campus welcomes new transfer students

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is welcoming approximately 375 transfer students and 40 new freshmen beginning classes for the first time today, Tuesday, Jan. 18.

The university has attempted to grow transfer programs in recent years, while also making a renewed effort to improve the transition experience for transfer students.

“Transfer students are very important to us, so we are working hard to shape a campus environment that encourages and supports their academic and social engagement”, says Annette McDaniel, assistant director of the Center for the First Year Experience (CFYE) and coordinator of the Transfer Transition Program.

McDaniel’s role was created as a result of a Madison Initiative for Undergraduates grant to CFYE designed to improve life for transfers.

“From our experience, we want to encourage all of our new students to work hard to get involved and meet people in similar circumstances,” she adds.

The group beginning during the spring semester can sometimes be slightly overlooked in comparison to the energy that traditionally marks the beginning of a fall semester. To help offset this, CFYE has a series of events designed for new students, including a Transfer Welcome Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 20.

An event listing is located here.

In addition, McDaniel and other staff are prepared to assist with any kind of question or resource needed, including the academic transition, course equivalency issues, ideas about social connections or the city of Madison itself.

For help, email transfer@studentlife.wisc.edu.

Growth in transfers at UW–Madison is positive for students from all parts of the state, and ultimately, helps to increase the state’s number of four-year degree holders to fuel economic growth. UW–Madison has the capacity to serve additional transfer students at the upperclassman level. In fact, the “More Graduates” initiative’s campus goal is to admit 1850 transfers annually by 2014-15.

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