This fall, hundreds of Moorpark College students will apply to transfer to a four-year university, according to the Career Transfer Center. For those students, it’s important to know that transfer season lasts throughout the year. Counselors and admissions officers advise students to start preparing now for a 2017 transfer.

“Getting everything ready should start well before the application is due,” said Brennan Burnett, admission officer for University of California, Los Angeles. “There are a lot of requirements that you can’t necessarily take care a month before you’re ready to apply.”

Moorpark counselors and university admission officers have some advice to make this process less nerve-racking for prospective transfer students.

Tip #5 – Think about your personal statement and extracurricular activities

Think of your personal statement and any extracurricular work as extra credit. A weak personal statement won’t get your application tossed out if it’s otherwise strong. But if admissions officers are choosing between you and an equally qualified applicant, you’ll be missing the chance to stand out.

“I think the personal statement is the best opportunity to tell us something that we’re not going to know by looking at your grades,” said Burnett. “A personal statement is never going to disqualify a student. It’s really just a bonus opportunity.”

Tip #4 – Finish general education classes early

For most schools and most majors, you will need to complete general education classes before transferring and that’s a good thing for the most part. For one, it’s a lot cheaper to take courses at a community college than at a university.

Taking general classes can also be a good way to find the subject you want to major in if you are undecided. Even if you think you already know what you want your major to be, keep an open mind.

Also, completing these courses before transferring is a requirement for some programs and will in general look better on your transcripts, said Moorpark College Counselor Chuck Brinkman.

“The more of these classes you have done, at the time you submit your application…the better your chances will be for admission to the college of your choice,” said Brinkman in an email.

However, for high-unit majors such as engineering and the sciences, it’s best to talk directly with a counselor or an admissions officer at the colleges you’re considering.

Tip #3 – Choose a major

You need to pick a major, but don’t be too intimidated. You are not stuck with it forever if it doesn’t turn out to be a good fit.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80 percent of students in the United States end up changing their major at least once, but you should still try to make an informed choice.

Don’t decide until you’ve taken a few courses in that major and even then take some classes outside of that field. If you want to major in science, take some art classes. If you’re going with math, take some literature classes. Expose yourself to as many options as possible. That’s part of what college is all about.

One good way to find help deciding on a major is to drop in at the Career Transfer Center in Fountain Hall, attend a workshop, or check out their self-help on the web page http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/transfer-center

“Deciding what you want to major in is among the most important things a transfer student should decide, as early as possible in your Moorpark College time here, “said Brinkman in an email.

Tip #2 – Research the schools you might want to attend

Once you’ve decided what you want for your major, you need to think about where you want to study and live for the next two years, or at least narrow your list to four or five colleges. In large part this is going to be determined by your major.

Not every school offers a degree in your chosen major and some schools are just going to be a better fit than others, said Moorpark College Counselor Danita Redd.

“Visit as many of these campuses as possible,” said Redd in an email. “Read campus mission statements. Read bios of professors in your potential department.”

A big part of your success after transferring could be determined by how much you like where you end up.

Tip #1 – Make an appointment with a counselor – every semester

This is the number-one tip for a reason. It’s the most important thing you can do to increase your chances of transferring successfully. Get your appointment now before you register for the fall semester at Moorpark College. If you’re planning to transfer fall 2017, and you haven’t met with a counselor yet, make an appointment now. Did I mention you should do it now?

Counselors will help you plan classes and set up your schedule to make sure you meet all the requirements for transfer. They can guide you in this fretful process and help make it, if not easy, then at least manageable.

“I met with a counselor like a year before I applied to transfer,” said Sam McMasters, a 20-year-old psychology major. “She walked me through the process and told me exactly what I needed to do. After that it seemed way less intimidating.”

To make an appointment with a counselor, call first thing in the morning at 805-378-1428.

To get an appointment call early and often. You might need to call three times before you can schedule, since they are only setting up appointments a week out.