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Transferring to a University in the USA
By Monica Ibrahim, EducationUSA Advisor



I have been receiving more and more inquiries from Syrian students who have already started their undergraduate or graduate studies, and would like to transfer to a university in the USA. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions, and their responses:

Q: Who should apply as a transfer students?

A: If you have started any post-secondary studies, then you would be considered a transfer student. Honesty is the best policy- you should always be honest on your applications and declare any study you completed after high school.

Q:[COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"] I am a medical student- can I transfer to a university in the USA?[/COLOR]

A: The educational system in the USA for undergraduates is different than Syria for the fields of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry. Unlike in Syria, one cannot study these fields directly after high school. Students must obtain a 4- year bachelor’s degree first, and then apply to either medical school/dental school/pharmacy school. Because of the different educational systems, it is not possible to transfer to a US university in one of these fields.

Q: [COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]What are the requirements to transfer[/COLOR]?

A: The requirements will differ greatly from university to university. It is very important to check the requirements with each university; you will also want to keep track of the admissions deadlines because these also vary. Generally, you will need to take the TOEFL exam; depending on how many credits or courses you have taken, you might need to take the SAT exam as well. Other requirements such as a personal statement, recommendation letters, trans, and other supporting documents depend on the program. Make sure you stay organized! I suggest creating a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet to keep track of all of this information.

Q: [COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]Will any of the credits I have already completed transfer to the university? Or will I have to start all over again[/COLOR]

A: Again, this depends on the university and the program. After you have been accepted, they will examine your trans and decide if and how many credits they will count towards your degree from the U.S. In order to assist with this process, I strongly advise you to get your trans evaluated from an external evaluating agency such as WES (www.wes.org) or ECE (www.ece.org). These organizations will give a course- by- course evaluation, to help the transfer process go smoother. Even if the university does not require it, this is strongly recommended.


Q: [COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]I have started a Master’s degree. Can I transfer to a graduate program in the USA?[/COLOR]

A: It is not possible to transfer credits on the graduate level; while you will still need to submit your trans from graduate school, you will most likely have to begin a program over from the very beginning.

[COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]Q: I need a scholarship. Are there any scholarships available[/COLOR]?

A: Scholarships need to come directly from the universities; some universities might have some funding available for international transfer students. Make sure you check what scholarship opportunities might be available directly with the university.



[COLOR="rgb(153, 50, 204)"]Q: How can I search for programs to transfer to[/COLOR]?

A: There are many search engines to help you search for programs. Some recommended ones are:

www.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.com

www.princetonreview.com

If you have any questions, or need help with the transfer application process, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: educationusa.syria@gmail.com

source:
http://educationusasyria.tumblr.com/...62299/transfer