Transfer student or not?

SAshey

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
39
I'm a freshman at the Academy. If I do not complete a semester at the Academy and decide to leave before semester, could I be considered a transfer student or not? I wouldn't have any completed credits on the Academy transcript but I would have to leave due to injury, but I will still be claiming a Form 34 not a medical turn back. So in conclusion, would I be considered a transfer student to other colleges or not?
Thanks for your consideration.
 
Dumb question. Why in the world would it matter?

Seems to me you would have a blank transcript and all it would indicate is that you attended USAFA. I expect they may still want to see that transcript. But it is what it is. I also expect each college might handle this situation differently. Some may want you to apply as a transfer student, others may not. Regardless, all will want your high school transcripts, etc. It seems to me to be a question to be asked of the admissions dept. at each college you apply to, and that there is no blanket answer. So what am I missing?
 
Dumb question. Why in the world would it matter?

I don't think it is a dumb question at all.

My initial assumption is that for scholarship concerns, SAshey realizes that it is much better to be considered an incoming freshman.

The majority of lucrative scholarships are only awarded to incoming freshman as a way to entice high-stat students to their school, in order to enhance the school's freshman profile. That, of course, affects the college's selectivity ratings and overall place in college rankings. (Transfer students's stats aren't included in a school's profile.)

Nicole
 
After attending USAFA for a semester, the OP would not be classified as an incoming freshman at another University if that is the question. It doesn't matter how many credits were completed.

Here is University of California policy on Transfer Students. "A transfer applicant is a student who has enrolled in a regular session at a college or university following high school. Students who meet this definition cannot disregard their college records and apply as freshmen". http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/transfer/minimum-requirements/index.html

Here is another data point from UV: http://www.virginia.edu/housing/fy.php

Scholarships for incoming freshman are not going to happen for the OP . . .
 
Makes sense. Thanks for the education nigel and Blackbird!
 
The difference here is that the OP said they would NOT finish the semester at USAFA. In this case it 100% depends on the school s/he is enrolling in. It also depends if the academy will be providing a transcript showing "I" for incomplete or if they show disenrolled.
 
The difference here is that the OP said they would NOT finish the semester at USAFA. In this case it 100% depends on the school s/he is enrolling in. It also depends if the academy will be providing a transcript showing "I" for incomplete or if they show disenrolled.

Mike, I respectfully disagree. The OP is asking if he would be a transfer student after failing to complete his first semester at USAFA. The answer is YES in all cases I can find. Now I suspect there will be exceptions somewhere at some school. However, if the OP is using this information to decide if they are going to stay at USAFA, he/she should assume that they we be a transfer student after quitting.

There are four classes of applicants for admissions at U.S. colleges: Freshman, Transfer, International, Graduate. Here is the definition of Freshman Applicant from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo:

"As a first-time freshman applicant, you are: currently in high school (with or without completed college work) OR you have graduated from high school and have NOT attended any college AFTER high school graduation and prior to entering Cal Poly."
 
Well; it's ok to disagree. But I still contend that it depends on the college. I know of a couple of individuals who made it through BCT, but within a month of classes starting, they dropped out of the academy. The "Transcript" they received, (For lack of a better word), didn't say "Incomplete" or anything similar. It only referenced "WITHDRAWN". They were able to go back to their plan "B" school and started the 2nd semester, INCLUDING the scholarship they had been awarded prior to accepting air force.

Now; could we be talking semantics? Possibly. The key isn't whether you're considered a transfer student or not. What matters is "What does it mean to the school you're going to". They could treat you exactly the same as an incoming high school grad. Like I said, it depends on the school. I'm sure some will simply say you're a transfer student. Other will say: "You don't have any college credits, you're the same as any other freshman". Just like I have students I know of, because of IB classes and such in high school, went to college and walk in the door and were considered "SOPHOMORES" because they were given 30 credit hours for their IB course and degree.

Again; the OP didn't say they "FAILED", they said they simply didn't finish a semester. What their transcript, if they receive one says, will determine how the individual receiving college defines them. It's what they say you are. Not what WE say you are.
 
SAshey -
Based on your post I'm guessing that your'e referring to leaving during Basic, since that's the only time you'd really have to leave for an injury (unless it was something that made you uncommissionable). Thus I'm guessing that you're not currently here.

All I know is that I talked to my plan B school about what would happen if I was injured during Basic. I had a full ride there which they couldn't give to someone else if I didn't come. They said that as long as I didn't start classes at the Academy, I could keep the scholarship, but if I started classes, then I wouldn't be a first time freshman. It may be the same for your plan B... I'd talk to your admissions counselor and see.
 
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