Before coming to Penn State Altoona, I attended a few different institutions and had several majors along the way. The thing I am most appreciative about from attending those other institutions was the ability to explore my educational landscape. Even though my educational path didn’t exactly go as planned, there was still beauty in figuring out what I didn’t want to do, as it helped me figure out what I did. Additionally, attending multiple institutions helped me live in different settings, including spending a full year in Pittsburgh. It made me appreciate life in a city and certainly would like to move to a larger metropolitan area again once I graduate.
After my last stop, at Robert Morris University, I felt burned out from not knowing what I wanted to do with my career. I had to forgo going to college my junior year and spent a few years in the workforce. That didn’t satisfy me either, and in 2019, I decided to pursue education one more time. I knew that I wanted to be a marketing major after doing some research and set out to find the right institution for me. Penn State Altoona was high on the list of institutions that I considered from the start. After meeting with the transfer student staff and researching the marketing program, I knew that I didn’t need to visit anywhere else. Everyone was so friendly and extraordinarily helpful that I felt welcomed, not only to a university but to a community.
The biggest issue that I had in the transfer process was internal. It was my own self-doubt creeping in. The internal negativity was telling me that I was too old to come back to school at twenty-four or that it was going to be a failure. If I had to give advice to someone that is transferring, it would be to not view the experiences at other institutions as failures, but as valuable learning experiences. Whether you struggled at another institution or didn’t feel like you fit in, that is okay. Those things do not define who you are as a person. That is also the thing I am most proud of from my Penn State experience. I didn’t just sit around in fear of failing. I took the experiences that I had garnered from other institutions and turned them into positives, even motivation to do my best. All in all, my transfer experience to Penn State Altoona has been one of the most valuable of my life. I have grown so much, not just intellectually, but personally. I would not choose any other path if I had to do it again.
What made you decide to transfer to Penn State Altoona?
The reason I chose to transfer to Penn State Altoona was for two reasons. I wanted to move out of my home to explore another state. It has been my goal to move to a different state but I wasn’t sure where I wanted to move to. I then decided to research for other out-of-state nursing schools because that gives me a reason to move and explore (all in one deal). I found Penn State and began my research. The small campus attracted me the first time and after speaking to several admissions employees and the pre-nursing adviser, Ms. Cathy Kozak, who were all very helpful at the beginning of my research process to starting my first day at Penn State Altoona.
What are some benefits of attending multiple institutions?
Experience, background knowledge about college, and college credits. When I started my first day at Penn State, I was more confident in finding my class buildings, speaking to professors, sitting in front of the class, and attending every class. Attending multiple institutions shapes you as an individual and who you are studying to become, it makes you one hundred percent goal-driven and determined.
Share a challenge you faced with the transfer process and how you overcame it and what resources you used.
A challenge I faced was transferring my credits. Every Institution is different with its classes, requirements, etc. After I sent in my transcripts, I had to include my syllabus from all classes I had taken and that was difficult on its own because this required me to search for all my syllabus from my freshman year to junior year at my previous Institution. I had to email old professors asking them and some were quick to respond while others it took several weeks before I got a response. I took other actions to overcome this challenge by using the directory website of my old institutions and contacting the dean of the departments (responses were both quick and delayed). Also, I contacted Penn State Altoona’s credit evaluation and asked for additional time to obtain all my syllabus which of course delayed my transfer credit before I registered for classes.
What advice would you give to someone who is contemplating transferring?
Research not only the school but the environment as well, talk to your family or a loved one about transferring, contact your adviser at your institution and an adviser under your major at the Institution you want to transfer to. Find students who attend that Institution and formulate your questions to ask. Finally, check and double-check for ALL deadlines (You DO NOT want to miss those! Write them in your calendar).
Share something you are proud of accomplishing since enrolling at Penn State Altoona.
Making friends and using all resources available to me (I PAID for it).
What is the biggest thing you've learned about yourself so far on your educational journey?
I honestly think I haven’t learned anything big about myself yet. It's tough leaving your family and loved ones to move across states but it's your path and sacrifice. I am still in the process of finding who I am in my educational journey not defining myself based on what I was taught—a first-generation college student attending Penn State Altoona for Nursing.
What made you decide to transfer to Penn State Altoona?
I played softball at my previous school and my coach took another job so that started my interest in transferring. Altoona is also close to home (I am from Martinsburg). A lot of my friends also attend college here, so it helped my decision. Altoona is also small like my other college, and I like the small kind of tight-knit classes and being able to talk to a professor and they know me and care for me.
What are some benefits of attending multiple institutions?
I was able to experience many different things such as living out of state and away from home, so I learned to be independent. While coming to Altoona has still allowed me to be independent but I am able to spend more time with loved ones. Also, my previous school was even smaller than PSU, so a lot of people knew each other and were very close, especially the athletes. One main thing that benefited me was the different competition levels at my previous school to here. I was able to experience different team cultures and have different relationships with players and coaches which helped shape me as a player and person.
Share a challenge you faced with the transfer process and how you overcame it and what resources you used.
One problem I experienced with transferring was if my credits from my previous college. It was difficult to understand if the credits I previously took transferred and even if they did, I had to retake a few classes I’ve already taken. My professor is great at helping me figure out what classes I should take and If I need to retake some courses. Using my professor, advisor, and friends, I was able to figure everything out in a timely manner.
What advice would you give to someone who is contemplating transferring?
Use any resources available to you. Do not be afraid to ask questions to employees, they are here to help you. Reach out to friends if you have them at your new institution, they can also be a huge help.
Share something you are proud of accomplishing since enrolling at Penn State Altoona.
I am proud of the growth I have made as an athlete since attending Altoona and very proud of my academics and involvement in activities at Altoona.
What is the biggest thing you've learned about yourself so far on your educational journey?
In terms of education, I have learned the importance of time management, especially when you are playing a sport in college. Managing your time and prioritizing your education will be the biggest benefit for yourself in the long run.
What made you decide to transfer to Penn State Altoona?
I am originally from Hollidaysburg, Pa – which is only about 15-20 minutes from campus, so I am able to commute from home which played a large role in my decision. I was also interested in the smaller class sizes.
What are some benefits of attending multiple institutions?
I think experience is the biggest benefit. I was able to experience going to a school farther away and living on a bigger campus as well as experience commuting to a school with a smaller campus. You can find what really works for you personally.
Share a challenge you faced with the transfer process and how you overcame it and what resources you used.
A challenge I experienced was not having all of my first semester credits be accepted during my transfer process – being an art major, this would have likely put me a full year behind. I worked closely with my adviser and she was able to ensure that my art credits would be accounted for.
What advice would you give to someone who is contemplating transferring?
Lots of people have their own idea of what the best “college experience” is. It’s important to base the college experience you want around the things that you are comfortable with. You will thrive the most in an environment where you feel at home.
Share something you are proud of accomplishing since enrolling at Penn State Altoona.
I am very proud of each piece of art and each new artistic approach and method I have learned from my professors. I feel as though the VAST professors have helped me become a much better artist since being here.
What is the biggest thing you've learned about yourself so far on your educational journey?
The biggest thing I have learned about myself on my educational journey is that I can accomplish great things with the right resources and effort.