Graduation!

Midway through Spring semester is the time when I start to notice a special kind of energy on our campus.  Crocuses and tulips poke their heads up from a long, cold slumber to welcome the nicer weather.  Students socialize outside:  talking, playing guitar, kicking around a hacky-sack.  Heavy outer layers give way to lighter jackets and sweaters.  Hard-working groundspeople sweep away the vestiges of winter, plant flower beds and mow the first grass of the season.  Students buckle down and spend more time in the computer labs and with tutors.  Every member of the campus community (in one way or another) is in high-gear, preparing for the end of the academic year and graduation.

Graduate celebrating her Disney Internship experience

The notable chicken wing hat

Every May, we celebrate the successes of our students who earn their certificate or degree by having our pomp and circumstance in Proctor's Theatre, an opulent, historic venue that has a rich and varied history which dates all the way back to Vaudeville days.  Faculty don academic regalia.  Family and friends fill the balcony and happy hoots and hollers for their loved ones sound like music.  Students look regal in their black robes; some decorate their caps, while at least one Culinary Arts grad wears rubber food on his head and Fire Protection students lose the mortar board and proudly sport their protective helmets (complete with tassel) instead.  A beautifully catered reception follows, and graduation parties are eagerly anticipated.  It's a joyous occasion for everyone involved.

Firefighters mean business!

For many students, however, what accompanies this rite of passage are conflicting feelings of joy, relief, eager anticipation, fear, worry and sadness.

"I have my degree!  GO me!"  versus "I have my degree...now what?" 

"Can't wait to start my new job next week!"  versus "I don't have a job yet...what am I going to do?" 

"I can't wait to transfer in the Fall!" versus "I love SCCC...I don't want to leave!" versus "I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing in the Fall."

Graduating students who struggle with the next chapter can turn it around by being proactive.  Visits to the Opportunity Zone can assist with resume writing, interview skills and making important career connections.  An appointment with our Transfer Counselor can provide guidance with making a solid plan to continue one's education.  Talking about these conficting feelings with a Counselor can help sort out these concerns, and morph them into hope and eager anticipation of what's to come.

In other words, it's not too late.

To every one of our graduates:  Warm and heartfelt congratulations on your remarkable accomplishments, given the many responsibilities you managed to juggle.  Regardless of whether you have concrete plans for the next few months, you deserve to feel proud of the knowledge, skills, talents and abilities you've acquired and honed during the short time you were here. (Cue the applause!) 

All of us at SCCC are proud of you, too.  Damn proud. 

Best wishes for the adventure that lies ahead.


(c)2013 Robyn M. Posson.  All Rights Reserved.

Going for the Bachelor's: Ten Steps to an Easy Transfer

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, approximately 4 million freshmen start college each Fall.  One-third of all college students in the U.S. switch institutions at least once before earning a degree, says a report released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  That's a lot of students jockeying for an acceptance letter from their number one college choice.  If you're one of those people who want to transfer, there is a tried-and-true process to increase your chances of getting in.


Transferring from a community college to a four-year school is a process that should be planned well in advance; in fact, your first semester at SCCC is not too soon. The best strategy is to meet with our Transfer Counselor (located in Student Affairs), and stay in touch with her to ensure that you sign up for the best courses to match your interests, and which will be transferable to the institution(s) you're interested in attending.  It's also helpful to have a good relationship with the transfer counselor at your four-year school.  Being in regular contact with both the community college and the four-year college you hope to attend is a must.


With thanks to Bernice Dunn, here are the ten steps to an easy transfer:

1.  Identify career goals and area of study
This is vital in choosing a college.  Inquire about articulation agreements.  If you don't know what you want to major in, then it is time to make an appointment with a career counselor in Student Affairs who can assist you with this decision.

2.  Always register with "transfer" in mind.  Keep your grades up!
When you meet with your advisor each semester, remind him/her that you plan on transferring.  YOUR GRADES ARE IMPORTANT FROM THE START!  Other colleges look at all of your grades.


3.  Consider the environment that you want at your transfer college
What's important to you when thinking about a four-year school?  Location?  Size of school?  Public vs. Private?  Cost?  Urban, Rural or Suburban campus setting?

4.  Develop a list of colleges that suits you
The transfer counselors in Student Affairs can help you with this list.  College searches are also available on the Internet at:
http://www.collegeview.com
http://www.nycareerzone.org
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.mycollegeguide.org
http://www.cgf.org






5.  Research your college choices
With a list of five to ten colleges, begin detailed research by using the Internet at http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state/ .  Check out the colleges' catalogs online.  Talk to others about your choices.  What are your priorities?  Narrow your list to three to five schools where you would be happy attending.

6.  Catalogs
Colleges have their catalogs and applications online, and oftentimes will waive the application fee if you apply online.  If you graduate from SCCC, you can waive the application fee at any SUNY school.


7. Visit the campuses
If at all possible, it's important to visit the campuses to get a "feel" for campus life there.  Is it right for you?

8.  Set up an interview
Ask questions about transfer credits, financial aid, housing, meal plans, student life, and so on.  Also ask how long it will take to finish your degree there.

9.  Applications, Financial Aid, Transcripts, Essays and References

• Apply online to three to five colleges, including one safety, one stretch and two matches. 
• Complete the FAFSA (and CSS profile, if required), and have it sent to all of the colleges you're applying to.  DO THIS EARLY; the early applicants get most of the financial aid.
• Go to our Registrar's Office and any other college you've attended and have your transcripts sent to all of the colleges you are applying to.
• When writing your essays, be sure to personalize them to each school, and answer the essay question each college asks.  Check and double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 
• The best recommendations come from college professors who can give accurate assessments of your academic abilities.  Letters from parents, friends or significant others are not appropriate for this requirement. 

10.  Wait and decide

You made it!  Relax and wait.  Assess all of your offers and decide which one is the best for your personal circumstances.  Send in the deposit and final transcript once you've decided.  Now...celebrate!

For more information on a smooth transfer, please visit our website:  http://www.sunysccc.edu/student/Counseling/TransferInfo.html  

Question:  Do you plan to transfer?  How's the process going for you so far?

 

Sources:  Dunn, Bernice.  10 Steps to an Easy Transfer (brochure)
http://chronicle.com/article/A-Third-of-Students-Transfer/130954/?sid=cc&utm_source=cc&utm_medium=en
http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/

All images courtesy of Google Images unless otherwise noted.

(c) 2012 Robyn M. Posson