College is a big transition for many, and for transfer students the problem of picking the right school to transfer into with the goal of graduation in mind can be just as challenging.. Sonoma State University has worked hard to ease students’ stress, and the result of these efforts is the highest graduation rate for transfer students among all the Cal State Universities.

According to edsource.org, Sonoma State has a 62.2% graduation rate for its transfer students in 2018. 

More than a third of college students transfer from one school to another during their undergraduate experience, as reported by Odyssey. 

It is very easy for transfer students to get lost in the system as records and credits have to be transferred from previous schools to keep academics on track. Some universities don’t offer help or guidance for transfer students specifically. 

Sonoma State offers The Center for Transfer and Transition Programs (CTTP) for it’s transfer students, as a way for students to get assistance with courses, resources, and any other services. It offers services to meet personal academic situations with appointment counseling and drop-ins. The Advising and Transfer Center is located inside the ground-floor entrance to the Schulz Library, room 1125a.

Gino Franklin, a transfer student from Diablo Valley Community College says, “Transfering into Sonoma State with an Associate’s Degree, I received priority registration which allowed me to get into all the classes I needed to graduate on time and my counselor helped me throughout the process.”

Provost Lisa Vollendor said, “Sonoma State is proud to be a university of choice for transfer students, our transfer and transition center has dedicated staff trained to meet the needs of transfer students, and, unlike many institutions, we offer on-campus housing for transfers. About all else, we are a welcoming and inclusive community focused on serving all of our students’ integrity.”

Transfer students are a big part of the SSU student population, with an average of 776 students being transferred annually, according to the website collegetransfer.net. 

Often seen as experienced and comfortable navigating their way through college, transfer students have a variety of skills and needs, and while for some it’s an easy transition and a fresh new start, it is not that case for all.

The transfer process can be very difficult and problematic for some students. Jessica Godoy Barragan, a twenty-five-year-old transfer student at Sonoma State, says, “My transfer has been hard coming from Sacramento State University because the school environment is very different,” she continues, “I have not received much help from offered services at SSU to make my transfer and graduation easier.”

Sonoma State is part of the California Promise Program, which offers Associate Degrees for transfer students and a pathway to complete their Bachelor’s degree in two-years. Eligible students must fulfill specific requirements of the California Promise Program, and Sonoma State will provide enhanced advising and priority registration.  

More information about the universities participation can be found on admissions.sonoma.edu.