AGEDS Transfer Orientation

AGEDS TRANSFER ORIENTATION FALL 2020

STEP ONE: Complete university orientation online

STEP TWO: Read all information on this page, then make contact with academic advisers Ben Chamberlain (bchamber@iastate.edu) or Nate Dobbels (ndobbels@iastate.edu)

STEP THREE: Communicate with academic adviser.  This communication can be via phone, email or webex, please let the adviser you are working with know your preference.  During this time we will discuss the following:

  • Transfer Credit Evaluation and application of credits toward degree
  • Learning Community course grid – we have saved seats for our incoming transfer students in a few classes.  We do this to assist in the transition and to help students develop academic and social connections. 
  • Choose additional courses for the fall to fill the fall semester (for a total of 14-16 credits)
  • General ISU questions

STEP FOUR: After communicating with your academic adviser, a schedule for the fall semester will be generated for you.   You will be able to view this schedule, ask question and request changes.   We will do our best to accommodate requests.  Please know that schedule changes can be made throughout the summer and until the end of the first week of the fall semester.  

FAQ’s:

May Parents participate? Yes, parents are welcome to be part of this process.  However, it’s important that students to take the lead in asking questions and making decisions.  

What if my transfer credit evaluation does not include all the courses I have taken, or has an error? No problem.  Alert the adviser you are meeting with today that there are additional credits coming.  When you are done with your current semester at your current institution, please have an official transcript sent to:

ISU Admissions
100 Enrollment Services Building
2433 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011

Or, via Email: (must be official transcript directly from the institution granting credit)
admstrns@iastate.edu

What is the "L TM" on my schedule?    This is your Learning Community registration.  It is not a separate class, rather it will be part of your AGEDS 110 course.   The benefit of this to you is that you will have a peer mentor (returning transfer student in your major to serve as a resource for you) as well as several classes in common with other new, incoming transfer students in your major this fall.  We have saved seats in these courses in common and the L TM allows us to register you for these courses.   The hub of this learning community is AGEDS 110, which all new incoming students take in their first semester.  The learning community does not cost you anything extra, nor does it require you to take any courses you would not otherwise take.

How much input can I have in building my schedule? Other than the courses in the learning community you select, everything else is up to you.  However, understand that some courses are only offered at one time or schedule conflicts may require you to select a course at a time that is not your first choice.

I plan to work.  How many hours can I work per week? That is up to you, however we recommend no more than 10-15 hours per week.  It is extremely important to allow 2-3 hours per week of study and review time outside of class for every hour that you are in class.  You will likely notice a significant increase in the amount of time you will need to spend on your academics to be successful here.  Class should be your first priority – which means that you should not be missing class for work, harvest, vacations, etc.  If you chose to miss class you are risking missed points, assignments, etc.  You should not expect faculty to let you make up things you miss.

I have more than 65 credits from 2 year schools – what does the note on my sheet mean?  We are able to use up to 65 credits from all two year schools.  If you have more than 65, we will use the “best” 65 – meaning the 65 that best meet requirements at ISU.

What does it take to be successful at ISU and in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies? 

  • Time management.  You must look at your week as a whole and schedule time for classes, work, review, meeting with faculty, etc.  The number one reason that students struggle in their first semester is that they do not manage their time well or plan ahead.  The semester can start slowly, but picks up quickly and if you are not keeping up with readings and assignments you will quickly get behind.
  • Expand your network.  Use the opportunity you have at ISU to meet new people, get new experiences and grow.  The professional and personal network you build while at ISU will be with you the rest of your life. 
  • Internships/field experiences: The fall career fair is a great place to find a summer internship.  Even if you have a pretty good idea of your career plans, a summer internship doing something new and different is an excellent use of your time.
  • Clubs/Organizations: We will help you find various clubs and organizations this fall in AGEDS 110.  This is a great opportunity to connect with other students as well as those in industry.
  • Expectations: Especially if you are transferring from a community college – understand that we expect a high level of academic performance in ISU courses.  You must plan to spend a significant amount of time outside of class to be successful.  At the end of every fall semester we hear from many transfer students that don’t do as well academically as they could have because they did not devote the time and effort needed in their coursework until it was too late.
  • Have fun!  This is an exciting time in your life.  Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you here.  Time will fly by.

Who will my academic adviser be?

We will assign academic advisers in late June and will send a letter to your summer address shortly after with that information. Your adviser may or may not be the person you communicate with now.    In the meantime, feel free to contact the adviser you work with now with any questions.