NDSU welcomes hundreds of new transfer students to campus each year. The campus community values the diverse perspectives and experiences of NDSU students and strives to ensure a sense of belonging and respect that supports the success of each person.
Below, a few recent transfer students discuss why NDSU was their perfect fit and offer advice for potential students on how get the most out of their own NDSU experience.
Natalee Schmidt
Major: Business administration
Year: Junior
Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota
Transferred from University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Why did you choose NDSU?
I no longer wanted to pursue mathematics education (a program my previous college was known for) and, because of convenience, the program at NDSU was a great choice.
What are your tips or advice for other students transferring to NDSU?
Get connected with people however you can. It's going to be awkward and hard at first, but once you find your people it's 100% worth it.
What was your transfer experience like at NDSU?
It was a pretty hard transition and I'm still working through it, but it gets easier everyday.
What is your favorite thing about the NDSU Community?
There are clubs and organizations for almost anything you can think of. The Navigate app really helped me connect with Study Buddies. Clubs are also a great way to make friends.
Allen Hastings
Major: Computer engineering
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Fort Yates, North Dakota
Transferred from Sitting Bull College
Why did you choose NDSU?
I was in a cohort program with NDSU at my two-year college, so once I graduated I would finish my degree at NDSU.
What are your tips or advice for other students transferring to NDSU?
Start applying early. Set up a tour of the campus early and try to set up a meeting with someone in the department that you are going to be involved with. Ask plenty of questions when you do come for a visit. There are plenty of programs and resources offered that can be missed unless someone asks about them.
What was your transfer experience like at NDSU?
My experience here at NDSU was great. Carolina from transfer recruitment helped me out with getting settled when I arrived.
What is your favorite thing about the NDSU Community?
The thing that stands out to me is just the relaxed atmosphere here. Faculty and staff are always willing to help if you have questions.
Brooke Holmes
Major: Criminal justice & psychology
Year: Senior
Hometown: Milaca, Minnesota
Transferred from St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Why did you choose NDSU?
I chose NDSU because the psychology program interested me and, looking through the website, I found so many opportunities with the programs I was interested in. I also had friends who started college at NDSU and they all spoke highly of it.
What are your tips or advice for other students transferring to NDSU?
My advice would be to make sure to talk to an admission counselor and advisor if you are interested. It just makes the process much easier when you have someone there who can answer all the questions that you may have. I also would recommend taking a campus tour to get a real idea of the campus.
What was your transfer experience like at NDSU?
Overall, my experience was really positive. I was able to make new friends and get to know a ton of professors and other professional staff who have been able to help me throughout my time here.
What is your favorite thing about the NDSU Community?
My favorite thing about the NDSU community is the relationships that I have been able to make. I also really like how all the professors I’ve had have really wanted me to succeed and give me such great advice.
Taylor Campbell
Major: Business administration with a minor in entrepreneurship
Year: Junior
Hometown: Manderson, South Dakota
Transferred from Oglala Lakota College
Why did you choose NDSU?
I chose NDSU because I heard great things about student involvement and the abundance of resources and support throughout campus. One of my main factors when transferring was finding an institution with support in almost every corner and NDSU fulfilled that perfectly.
What are your tips or advice for other students transferring to NDSU?
Definitely find a group, activity or organization that you are interested in and network with the people there. Being a transfer student is a little harder because you already have post-secondary experience but you're also new to the institution. Finding groups and clubs that you can network with helps students get accustomed to the new campus but also helps students relate to peers who have experience just like you.
What was your transfer experience like at NDSU?
My experience with transferring to NDSU was terrifying because I wasn't sure how much of my credits would transfer. My advisor was extremely helpful when figuring this out. She made sure to go through each of my classes and show how they would transfer and what they would count as under the new curriculum. As this was one of my first experiences with NDSU and its staff, it gave me a hopeful idea of what my experience would be.
What is your favorite thing about the NDSU Community?
The faculty, staff and students all have been very welcoming and kind during my transition to NDSU. My previous institution was a community college and it had a close-knit community amongst the students. Transferring to a university was intimidating, but the support and kindness received from everyone at NDSU helped ease the transition and I am extremely thankful for that.
Begin your experience with a visit to campus. Or apply now if you’ve already decided NDSU is the place for you.
