National Transfer Student Week
Join Columbia in celebrating National Transfer Student Week beginning October 17. The goal of this week is to build awareness of common transfer barriers and the diverse student needs and identities within our transfer population. In honor of National Transfer Student Week, we interviewed five Columbia transfer students about their experience transitioning to the college.
What made you decide to transfer to Columbia? What about the college appealed to you?
Columbia offered me the best scholarship- so my being here has a lot to do with affordability. However, Columbia specifically appealed to me because it was in Chicago. Conveniently, my dad grew up on the outskirts of Chicago - so not only do I have some family here, but I am coming to learn more about my own family history. Chicago is also one of the major art hubs of the US - the history that has taken place in the city and the amount of art, politics, and culture that have been cultivated here is mind-boggling. It is so exciting to live in such a significant city. Simply living here and having the chance to be immersed in all of Chicago’s history and culture (and by proxy the art) is an unexpected treasure that makes moving here worth it. I can’t tell you how much I have grown both as an artist and as a human being by living in a place with such a rich past.
What was your transferring experience like? What kinds of assistance/resources did the college provide to help you with the transferring process?
I can remember Austin McGrath (my transfer advisor) being a treasure trove of help. I had so many questions about quite literally everything during my first few weeks and Austin pointed me in the right direction every time without fail. It was so helpful to have someone on my side amidst all the confusion. Use your advisers! Not forever, but for the first few weeks use them if you can.
How would you describe your experience at Columbia so far? What have been the highlights?
I found a great community in SGA (Student Government Association) and eventually even found a community within my Theater department. Those two things were certainly the highlights of my first year. As for this year, I moved into the dorms, and I am already feeling much more engaged. So far not much has happened in terms of theater and student government, but I am thoroughly enjoying my classes and loving building my community even more now.
Furthermore, I find that living so close to school has opened me up to a lot of time that I can now use to pursue my own hobbies and education outside of the school setting. I have more time now to dive into my own interests, including finding dance studios in the area where I can take drop-in classes. I am excited about what’s to come.
What are your goals for after college?
The ultimate dream is to perform, I have my own standards for what I hope to accomplish but the baseline is just that. Perform things that mean something to people. Things that both comfort and support people, as well as things that affect change and spur thoughts and ideas.
Currently, I am caught between staying in Chicago and diving into our little theater world here, moving back home to the California Bay Area and pursuing my next degree, or moving into my best friend’s overcrowded apartment in New York City and giving that theatre scene a go. But who knows, maybe tomorrow I’ll decide that after I graduate, I want to take up professional snowshoeing.
In my current state of being, I can’t give you any definitive answer. All I know is that I’d like to continue moving forward and following where my passions and opportunities lead me. A really nice homeless man told me on the street the other day “Don’t talk about your dreams, chase them,” and that is simply what I plan to do.
What made you decide to transfer to Columbia? What about the college appealed to you?
As a transfer student, it is hard to fit everything you want to do in such a short amount of time. I was worried I was going to have to choose between acting and directing once I transferred. The main reason I decided to transfer to Columbia was because it did not force me to erase any part of myself. I am an actor AND I am a director. They are both a part of me regardless of my major or minor. Columbia allowed me to study both and I was met with open arms and amazing experiences in both departments. I was able to find a love for television production and directing while strengthening my skills as an actor. This was something I could not even fathom until I transferred to Columbia.
What was your transferring experience like? What kinds of assistance/resources did the college provide to help you with the transferring process?
My transfer experience was amazing. My former institution had a guaranteed transfer agreement with Columbia, which made the process even easier. I had great transfer admissions counselors who guided me and supported me every step of the way. Upon our first meetings, they laid out Columbia’s transfer process and what was expected of me. They had answers to every question I asked and when I was missing a scholarship, they were able to clear that up for me immediately. Columbia’s transfer admissions department genuinely cares about the students transferring here and understands what it means to be a transfer student.
How would you describe your experience at Columbia so far? What have been the highlights?
My time at Columbia has been one filled with experiences I did not think were possible. I have been able to work in television studios as part of classes and act in various projects created by other Columbia students. One of my favorite moments was during my Television Production class last semester when my group and I had to create a narrative television show. We all assigned ourselves roles and I was the director. We created this coffee shop-themed television show based on plays and TV scripts. We cast acting majors to play the roles and the rest of the class was our crew. It was an enormous success; we were able to work out any kinks that showed up on set and incorporate new ideas we had not considered seamlessly. It was such an amazing feeling and moment sitting in the director’s chair orchestrating everything while watching everything come together. There was so much hard work, moving pieces, and people that all worked together to create this one moment.
What are your goals for after college?
After Columbia, I aim to start my career in the film and television industry while working on my acting career. I love Chicago and all it has to offer in terms of film, television, and theatre so I am open to spending some more time here before I venture out of Illinois. I want to establish myself as a filmmaker, director, and an actor. My ultimate career goals are to direct a movie, create a television show, act in a play at the Goodman Theatre, and wear a forest green suit when I win an Emmy.
What made you decide to transfer to Columbia? What about the college appealed to you?
I decided to transfer to Columbia for two reasons. First, it gave me the most scholarships and second it did not require me to take any more Math classes. I am amazed at how much Columbia is willing to help students achieve their goals.
What was your transferring experience like? What kinds of assistance/resources did the college provide to help you with the transferring process?
I would say overall my transfer experience was pretty easy. The transfer counselors were always available to answer any question and always responded to me very promptly. The college provided multiple transfer counseling sessions and individual sessions. I was also told along the way what would happen next and how to do it. I researched a lot, so it was easier for me than most students that don’t know what to look for or where.
How would you describe your experience at Columbia so far? What have been the highlights?
I would say my highlights are the subjects being taught. I am very happy to see there are a lot of assignments exploring social justice, politics, and diversity.
What are your goals for after college?
My main goal is getting a job that I enjoy and feel I am helping lift other people up. I would like to use my talents and education to create art that makes people think and enjoy art.
In my high school Media Tech class, I found my passion for editing, and through talking with some friends and relatives, I found out about Columbia. Looking closer, I discovered their large film program and the Semester in LA program, which were the two big items that drew me in. I want to continue diving into editing as much as possible and being able to use Columbia’s vast array of services and equipment will help me hone my skills and grow stronger in this field. I was also very drawn towards the SiLA program. My original path was to go into film editing and you know where films are, right? Hollywood! This sounded like an incredible experience to be able to understand the industry more and get a foot in the door before committing to head out to LA. I wanted this experience so much, and I was so thrilled when it worked out for me as I was accepted into the SiLA program for this semester. I’m currently out here interning, making incredible connections, and gaining great hands-on experience I could only get here. Transferring here to Columbia has helped me grow so much in my career path, and I am so excited to see how much farther it will take me.
What was your transferring experience like? What kinds of assistance/resources did the college provide to help you with the transferring process?
The transfer experience was pretty seamless. It was a bit scary at first, naturally. I have an older sister who already started college before I did, so starting the college process was fine, but she didn’t transfer. Transferring was uncharted territory, so we weren’t fully sure how to handle it. Fortunately, I got a ton of help from Holly Herrera, [associate provost for transfer initiatives and academic partnerships] here at Columbia. She helped me so much in making sure my credits transferred, and I got the classes I needed.
How would you describe your experience at Columbia so far? What have been the highlights?
So far, my experience here at Columbia has been a great one! Since coming here, I have been able to dive so much further into what I want to do with my future. I transferred from my community college, which only had 5 or 6 total film classes. I took all of those and got my gen-eds. Transferring here was amazing, especially having editing-specific classes! I knew I would have them, but it was still so cool to actually take them! For me, the biggest highlight has been the professors and faculty members that have helped me on my journey. I’ve been here for a little over a year now, and I have already interacted with wonderful people who have helped me grow so much. Holly Herrera was incredible in helping me with the transfer process and answering every one of my questions. My editing professors, Marilyn Wulff, Wayne Kumingo, and Charles Celander have all helped open doors for me and deepened my understanding of editing. My PPA1 professor, Kerry Kelekovich, always pushed us to accomplish more and greater things and believed that I could go far and thrive out here in LA. The department head Bonnie Winer has also been an incredible help in unpacking the courses and requirements needed for my BFA degree. These wonderful people have helped me immensely to where I have gotten today and wherever I’ll be going in the future. Thank you!
What are your goals for after college?
My goals after college are most likely to head back out to LA. This semester in LA has already been an amazing one. I’ve been making numerous connections and growing my network to new heights at my internship, with guest speakers, and with other Columbia students. It’ll be tough maintaining those connections when I come back to Chicago to complete my degree, but I think it’ll be worth it. My main goals are to become a member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild and the American Cinema Editors. Both organizations require you to have decent experience in the field and prove you can edit. The American Cinema Editors is an honorary organization that recognizes some of the most well-known editors. Being able to have the ACE acronym behind my name on a film or TV show would convey that I am passionate about editing and I care a lot about the work I put out. So, returning to LA and becoming members of the Editors Guild and ACE are my goals after Columbia.
What made you decide to transfer to Columbia? What about the college appealed to you?
I decided to transfer to Columbia after the Covid quarantine. I was finishing my last semester at Harold Washington College when I met with Holly Herrera, and we discussed my transcripts and the transfer process. I was initially concerned about what scholarships would be available to me as a transfer and nontraditional student. She introduced me to the Chicagoland Transfer Award; I eagerly applied and thankfully was awarded the scholarship. I was also attracted to the dual bachelor's and master's degree program that I am enrolled in now. It is a unique offering from Columbia and allows me to learn more about the field that I want to go into.
What was your transferring experience like? What kinds of assistance/resources did the college provide to help you with the transferring process?
With Holly as my transfer advisor, the transfer process was very smooth, even throughout quarantine. I was able to ask questions and meet with her to walk me through things. The one-on-one approach was the greatest resource for me since I retain more information through conversation and asking questions than by watching videos or reading about the information. Luckily if that is not the case for you, then Columbia still offers informational videos and written messages that help walk you through the transfer process.
How would you describe your experience at Columbia so far? What have been the highlights?
Columbia has been such an interesting experience. Often, I’m one of the older people in my classes, but there are other nontraditional students that make me feel a lot more comfortable. Columbia also has a lot of community-building events and student-run activities and resources that really make the campus environment connected and engaged. Although I seem to have work or class on the days that BSU (Black Student Union) throws events, it always makes me smile to see how active the organization is on campus. Though being a working student is tough, Columbia makes it easy with the evening classes that they offer.
What are your goals for after college?
After college, I plan to dive fully into my career as a graphic designer so that I can move on to my goal of being a Creative Director. I’m hoping that with the resources and the experiences that I’ve gained at Columbia, internships, and apprenticeships, I will be fully prepared for the graphic design world.
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