It has been a month since the new semester of 2023 began, with new students entering new schools. Students who enter universities include not only freshmen and exchange students, but also transfer students. This year, 199 transfer students started a new journey here at the University of Seoul (UOS).

   The transfer screening process of UOS has undergone a major transformation, with effect from the class of 2025. The biggest change is that applicants are required to take English or math tests rather than major aptitude interviews that were conducted until admittance for the class of 2024. Additionally, the applicants are required to submit their English test scores, such as TOEIC, TEPS, or TOEFL along with the application form.

   Irrespective of the selection process, transfer students have to go through a period of adaptation. How are the newly transferred students in UOS adapting to their current school life? Some of them said they have a wide range of entertaining experiences here in UOS, but also simultaneously face some difficulties.

Having Difficulty Adjusting to Their Majors

   Transfer students start their fifth semester as juniors when they transfer to a new university. Every student is required to complete a certain amount of major and general elective credits stipulated by the school. Transfer students, however, often encounter situations in which they are practically unable to take the first and the second year’s major electives, except for two or three that they have designated. Most transfer students choose up to three courses that they want among the elective courses opened for the first and second grades. All students must complete their designated courses to graduate. Even if transfer students take additional major classes other than their designated subjects, they are not recognized as graduation credits, but the score is only added to their credit rating. Therefore, transfer students who are in a hurry to earn their credits for graduation do not have many opportunities to take major courses offered for first and second graders. Moreover, the number of transfer students who have different majors than their previous university is expected to increase from 2023, which means the necessity increases for transfer students to take first and second grade major courses that contain basic knowledge about the major they transferred to. Student A stated that, “Since my major is now different from the one in my previous school, I am facing difficulties taking and following major classes.” As such, transfer students whose majors changed when they transferred have difficulties keeping pace with their class.

Low Level of Information Accessibility

    Transfer students are often equipped with inadequate information. When transfer students enter a new school, most of them do not receive enough guidance regarding their university life and courses. It is difficult to obtain accurate information because the orientation of the new school is done only via email. “I received guidance through email, which did not help me fully understand the university, and I barely managed to participate in the department’s group chat room by asking all around,” said Transfer Student B. There is no direct help from the school. Transfer students are not provided with tools to acquire information such as group chat rooms. There are times when students need to know details about UOS or the department that they belong to, but transfer students are not invited to chat rooms where most information exists. This shows that the proportion of school participation and intervention is extremely limited.

Need to Ease Transfer Students’ Difficulties

     It is difficult for transfer students to receive enough information from the school. To solve this problem, UOS could run programs such as briefing sessions so that students can gather materials with ease. Students will be able to prepare and plan for the semester more comfortably if the school solves students’ insufficient information problem and provides details on the characteristics of the school, the features of each major, and the courses. Furthermore, there is currently no organization in UOS that represents transfer students like the Transfer Student Council. If the Transfer Student Council is formed like Sogang University, students will be able to share more information and adapt better. Assistance programs at school like these will help transfer students adapt faster and enjoy their university life. Therefore, it is imperative for UOS to plan programs that support transfer students.