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You may have a specific school in mind, or want to keep your options open. Either way, it's a smart idea to do some research and learn all about their programs. As you research, consider factors like tuition fees, campus culture, athletics and on-campus housing options.

You can also weigh a school's pros and cons by looking into their:

• Articulation agreements: Articulation agreements allow you to transfer more credits (sometimes all of them!) from colleges in the agreement. For example, Â鶹¾«Æ· has an articulation agreement with many colleges — this means you save time and money as you complete your degree.
• Reciprocity agreements: Some four-year universities have reciprocity agreements with community colleges. This just means that associate-level credits get transferred in when you transition to a four-year school.
• Accreditation: Double-check that any school you consider has accreditation. Accreditation is awarded to institutions that have demonstrated an ability to provide the best education. 

Experiencing a campus's culture in person should play a role in your final decision. Take a campus tour for a chance to experience the classrooms, campus, recreational facilities and residence halls. Spending time on campus also lets you imagine yourself there and see whether it's the right fit.

Once you decide to transfer colleges, you have a lot of people who can help make the process simple.

• Your current academic advisor: Tell your advisor you plan to transfer and ask them for support and advice. 
• Your current professors: While a letter of recommendation is usually not required for transfer students, it can be a . Ask your professors — particularly those in your major — for letters of recommendation. 
• The admissions counselor at your new college: Your admissions counselor is here to help and is happy to answer any and all questions you may have. You can also connect with your admissions counselor to check that you're on the right track and have completed all the necessary steps.
• Your new academic advisor: Once you have an academic advisor at your new school, lean on them to help you enroll in the correct courses and map your path to graduation.

It's important to know which credits will transfer so you can stay on track toward your degree and graduation day. Some colleges limit the credits you can transfer. As you go through the transfer process, remember to ask if you will need to complete additional classes during the fall, spring or summer after transferring so you can graduate on time.

At Mercy, we make it easy to see how far your transfer credits will take you with . See how many of your credits will transfer before you even apply so you're all set once you become a Maverick.

Many schools have financial aid packages for transfer students. Mercy offers many different options for financial aid while keeping things simple. For example, there are grants, loans and work-study programs so that the cost of tuition doesn't interfere with your education.

Check the transfer application requirements and deadlines for schools on your list to ensure you submit your application on time. Deadlines vary, but most schools have transfer deadlines for the following school year in March or April. However, some schools like Mercy offer rolling admissions, which means that you can apply for any term at any time as long as it hasn't started yet.

Fill out your application well before the deadline so you have time to collect all the required information. It generally takes anywhere from a few weeks up to a month for prospective schools to respond to a transfer application. If a month passes and you haven't heard anything, it may be worth following up. Your admissions advisor is also a valuable resource throughout the process.

Your transfer is complete and you're ready to start at your new college — congratulations! During those early days, remember that there's a ton of options and support systems to help you get settled in.

At Mercy, our support doesn't stop once you officially become a Maverick. Why settle for an academic advisor when you could have a PACT Mentor?

Your PACT Mentor is your go-to person for help with all aspects of the college experience. Figuring out your path, managing the financial side of college, brainstorming clubs and student activities to join, choosing classes — PACT Mentors are there for all these things and more.