Going from Community College to Ivy League

Attending college is one of the great American experiences for those lucky enough to participate. Going to classes, working directly with professors, meeting diverse people, and of course, indulging in the party scene are all part of what makes college such a fun, educational, and eye-opening experience, especially if you're successful in going from community college to Ivy League.

Of course, different universities offer different experiences and going to school in a big city will not be the same as enrolling at a large, rural university campus. The experience will also depend on the student - some people will seek out certain opportunities, other people will focus their attentions elsewhere. Yet, no matter what college you are planning to attend, going from community college to any university can be intimidating.

This experience can be particularly scary or intimidating for those students going from community college to Ivy League universities. After working hard to become a top student at community college, these students should feel confident in their capabilities and trust the Admissions Offices' judgment that they are qualified, but it isn't hard to understand why they are still nervous. Below are some tips on transitioning from community college to an Ivy League university.

What To Do After Going From A Community College To An Ivy League University

Be confident! The academic rigors and tough admission standards of the Ivy League means that the large majority of matriculating students are very smart and work very hard. But remember - that group now includes you. Remember, you were welcomed into the club. You have been given your ticket. Try to relax and enjoy yourself.

Explore the new campus. It might seem like you should spend all of your time studying, but then you would miss everything else your school has to offer! Start by signing up for a tour if you have not already had one. Learn your way around so that when you need to find a building or an event you can get there like a pro.

Participate in everything that interests you. One of the reasons to switch from a community college to an Ivy League university is the access to the outside world. Ivy League universities expose their students to a plethora of cultures, languages, and academic fields that are simply outside the budget of a small community college. You don't have to attend every single campus event - it probably wouldn't be physically possible anyway - but if something sounds interesting to you, go! Take advantage of the opportunity and use the chance to meet people with similar interests.

Be friendly and open-minded. Entering a new community can be scary because you don't know anyone, but it can also be an opportunity to grow your circle of friends. Although being a transfer student means that everyone else mostly knows each other, being at a large university also means that most people are still strangers to each other. In a class of sixty students, some might know one or two others, but the majority will not know more than that. Everyone is in the same boat so relax and make some new friends.

Watch out for elitist, know-it-all jerks. While you should certainly be ready to engage with new people, you should also beware of the snobbery that has long been a part of the Ivy League. Every year there are some students with long Ivy League lineages who feel entitled to everything and resent the people they think don't belong. Recognize these people for what they are and don't consider any coldness from them as a reflection on the quality of your character.

The most important thing to remember as a transfer student will always be to stay open-minded and friendly. Keep in mind how long you have wanted to be at this school and how hard you worked to get there.

About the Author

Jerry Davidson has been writing about education and business solutions for nearly ten years. When he’s not writing, Jerry works as a mechanical engineer specializing in energy-efficiency. Click here to learn more about Jerry’s work.