It’s my first term at the University of Virginia, but my second year of college. I transferred from Union College, a small school in upstate New York, for academic and financial reasons. Somehow, though, instead of moving closer to my home in Colorado, I ended up even farther away. Transferring is daunting—one moment, you think you’ve found your forever home; the next, you’re in an entirely new place without the comfort of orientation groups or the first-year experience to help you make friends, register for classes, or find housing. I scoured everywhere for guidance but found that resources for transfers were, to say the least, lacking. Here are the three stages I went through in an effort to catch up with what I had missed out on club wise:
Stage 1:
What do you want out of life? Think about everything—everything—and write it down. Then map out each step you need to take to get there. As a transfer, you’ve essentially lost a year compared to everyone else. They’ve had an extra year to build friendships, connect with professors, and get involved in clubs. Want a solid friend group? Many are already established. Need a recommendation for law school? That favorite professor already has a line of students who’ve been in his classes longer. Interested in a leadership role? Be ready to face opponents who’ve been in the club since their first year.
If you’re here to have a laid-back experience, just review your classes before enrollment. But if you’re like me and need everything to be just right, come with a very clear plan. Know which clubs you want to join, what internships you’d like to get, which summers you’ll spend working, and which classes to prioritize to build strong relationships with professors. Memento mori—remember, you’ve got one year less than everyone else, so make every moment count.
Stage 2:
Let’s say you’ve done it—you’ve mapped out what you want and picked out the clubs to join. What could go wrong now? Plenty, as it turns out: club applications, tryouts, interviews, and rejections. At my previous college, a school of only 2,200 students, clubs were always looking for members, leadership roles were often open, and starting a new club was simple.
Here, with a student body ten times that size, I was unprepared for club acceptance rates lower than the university’s own. By the time I received a rejection from Mock Trial—a club I’d dedicated five years to and the very reason I’d chosen to become an attorney—I’d already been turned down by two other clubs. The second I read that email, I went straight to a bathroom in Newcomb Hall and cried. Imposter syndrome hit me hard, and the fear I’d been suppressing echoed in my head: “I don’t belong here.”
After 40 minutes of tears, I pulled myself together and headed to the dining hall to eat my feelings. Trying to put on a brave face, I was surprised when one of the ladies working at Newcomb noticed something was wrong.
“Are you feeling alright?” she asked.
“Uh—yeah, just a tough week.”
Of all the things she could have said, she chose the words I needed to hear most—and you might, too:
“It’s all in your hands, baby. It’s all in your hands.”
At first, you might think, “No, it’s not. I can’t control whether or not someone lets me into a club.” And that’s true. But you can maximize your chances and stay open-minded.
I didn’t get into Mock Trial, the Undergraduate Law Review, or the Jefferson Society. But I joined The Jefferson Independent, was selected as a counselor-in-training for both the Honor Committee and the University Judiciary Committee—where I now apply my Mock Trial skills to help real students—and found a home in Student Council’s legislative affairs committee.
Stage 3:
How did I go from insecure flop to student self-governance queen?
Easy: Make a list of over ten clubs you’re interested in, including both top choices and “back-ups.” Then apply to all of them. Yes, all of them.
For example, here is mine. Green means accepted (some you didn’t have to try out for), blue means accepted but not pursued, red means denied, and purple means work in progress (can’t wait for this spring!)
It’ll be challenging to balance applications with schoolwork and socializing—believe me—but do it anyway. It’s all in your hands. Just remember that. Things can get better, and you have the power to make it so. Will it be tiring? Oh, you have no idea—but it’ll be so, so worth it.
Sure, I didn’t get into Mock Trial, the Undergraduate Law Review, or Jeff Soc—clubs I had convinced myself were essential for finding my place here. But I’ve been able to continue honing my courtroom skills with two amazing groups of people who I’ve hiked with, bonded with, and shared bagels with. I rediscovered my love for writing through The Jefferson Independent, working alongside a dedicated team of editors who bring enthusiasm and creativity to every project. I also continued my involvement in student government through the legislative affairs committee, where I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most passionate and driven people I’ve ever met.
P.S. for more information and advice on transferring, read my other articles on “Navigating Transferhood!”
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