Number of students transferring to Virginia Tech on the rise
Virginia Tech welcomed more transfer students this fall than ever before, with approximately half of them coming from Virginia’s community colleges.
Topping the university’s previous high of 755 transfer students in 2005, the university enrolled 825 students transferring from other colleges and universities. This represents an upward trend, following an eight percent increase in 2005 from the previous year.
“We are especially happy to note that 415 of our transfer students were from the Virginia Community College System,” noted Norrine Bailey Spencer, associate provost and director of undergraduate admissions, “because these programs transfer so well into Virginia Tech’s existing programs and represent an excellent path into Virginia Tech from communities throughout the Commonwealth.”
Virginia Tech’s transfer applicant pool has numbered just over 2,700 each year since 2002. However, an increase each year in the strength of the applicants’ academic credentials has resulted in more offers and more transfer students enrolling. In 2002, 619 transfer students enrolled (from a pool of 2,768 applicants), compared to 825 in 2006 (from a pool of 2,716 applicants).
In addition to a long-standing equivalency table of Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Virginia Tech courses, the university is writing formal guaranteed-admission agreements with VCCS. Currently Virginia Tech has formal guaranteed-admission agreements in agriculture and life sciences and, with six community colleges, in engineering. VCCS students who wish to pursue majors in any of Virginia Tech’s colleges may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for transfer counseling, since course selection is an important factor in meeting competitive transfer requirements.
“As we work to finalize our guaranteed admission policies, we expect to enroll more Virginia community college students who choose Virginia Tech as the next step in their path to success,” said Wanda Hankins Dean, university registrar and chief transfer officer for Virginia Tech.
The university pursues opportunities to work with VCCS students, including providing a number of on-site reviews each year (pre-arranged days at VCCS sites where prospective transfer applicants can meet with Virginia Tech admissions officers who will render an immediate admissions decision on their applications), and providing VCCS counselors with an opportunity to attend a one-day program to experience “A Day in the Life of Transfer Affairs at Virginia Tech” (this year to be held on Friday, Nov. 3).
Prospective transfer students are invited to a Transfer Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 28, for which students may register online at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
Scholarship opportunities are available for students who transfer to Virginia Tech from the VCCS.
"This year, the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid awarded five students with a VCCS Lifeline Scholarship,” said Sherry Hazelwood, assistant director of undergraduate admissions and VCCS liaison for Virginia Tech. “The hope is these scholarships will help enable VCCS transfer students continue achieving their academic goals.”
Lifeline Scholarships are awarded on academic merit to VCCS graduates with the highest grade point averages. Four of this year’s winners received awards to cover one-half of tuition and fees, and one winner’s award covered full tuition and fees.
Written by Amy L. Widner.
