At NDSU, the journey of transferring is more than just a transition – it's an opportunity to unlock your potential and realize your career path.
Faculty, staff and peer commitment to your success, combined with a diverse range of programs, sets the stage for a memorable college experience.
Below, a few recent transfer students discuss why NDSU was their perfect fit and offer advice for potential students on how to get the most out of their own NDSU experience.
Name: Dylan Purdy
Major: Mechanical engineering
Year: Senior
Hometown: Brainerd, Minnesota
Transferred from: Minnesota North College
Why did you transfer to NDSU?
The biggest factor that led me to transfer to NDSU was the fact that my classes transferred so seamlessly with both school advisors worked together during the process.
How did NDSU’s resources help you feel welcomed?
NDSU One Stop, the advising counsel, all those groups really helped to make the transfer process transparent and understandable.
What surprised you the most?
The class sizes. Coming from a community college to a larger university, I was a little afraid my classes were going to be these huge lecture halls, but that certainly wasn’t the case. My class sizes were relatively small.
What unique experiences have you had at NDSU?
Attending the fall career expo. The internship that I had this last summer, I landed because I went to that. I wouldn’t have had that experience otherwise.
What advice would you give someone considering transferring to NDSU?
Just do it. There are so many unique experiences and so many great people, groups and organizations. What do you have to lose?
Name: Elise Klindt
Major: Strategic communication
Year: Junior
Hometown: Campbell, Minnesota
Transferred from: North Dakota State College of Science
Why did you transfer to NDSU?
The amount of respect I have for the school. I have a lot of mentors back home who went here in the same program, and they really helped me figure out what I want to do with my life. I always thought it was super cool that they all went to NDSU and all were in the same program. So here I am.
How did NDSU’s resources help you feel welcomed?
I worked a lot with the counselors in admissions and that was very helpful. But I was proud that I was able to do a lot the transfer myself because I worked in admissions at NDSCS. I was lucky to already have the knowledge to be able to do that.
What surprised you the most?
The amount of support and respect for transfer students. It was so welcoming. We aren’t frowned upon. I thought it might be a total abnormal thing that I was a transfer student and I was having classes with all these students who are here for a four year degree. I think it’s cool there is a lot of respect for us and that there are a bunch of us here.
What unique experiences have you had at NDSU?
I had a lot of opportunities at NDSCS to be involved in leadership things and music. I love music. But here is a whole new level. We still have all those things I previously was involved with, but on a large scale. We have Student Government, Student Court, performing arts is not just band, choir and jazz band. We have Greek life here, which I didn’t have at my previous school. The level of opportunities increased at NDSU.
What advice would you give to someone considering transferring to NDSU?
Just go for it. You don’t know until you try it. Everyone is so inviting and they just want you to be part of something. If you just want to be in classes, that’s fine. You can do that. But if you want to be involved in Greek life, the band, clubs, things in the residence halls, that’s something NDSU wants you to try because it’s here for you.
Name: Bri Thu
Majors: Elementary education; human development and family science
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Jamestown, North Dakota
Transferred from: Free Lutheran Bible College, Plymouth Minnesota.
Why did you transfer to NDSU?
I heard a lot of good things from my friends that are already here. Hearing that they had such a good experience made me want to have that as well.
How did NDSU’s resources help you feel welcomed?
Carolina from the admissions team welcomed me and texted me a lot. She helped with transferring my credits and helped me to figure out my major and what was needed to graduate. She’s so nice.
What surprised you the most?
Something that surprised me was how big the community is, but how the classrooms still have a small student-to-faculty ratio and there is opportunity to connect one-on-one with the professor and build a connection with them so you’re not just a number.
What unique experiences have you had at NDSU?
Some unique experiences that I’ve had so far are the clubs. I checked out the volleyball club, I enjoy volleyball a lot and being there and doing what I like to do was super fun. I met a lot of new people and friends who have a shared interest.
What advice would you give to someone considering transferring to NDSU?
Talk to an admissions counselor, they are super nice and helpful. If it is something you're hesitant about, just do it. You never know what is going to happen and it could have an impact on your life. When I first came to NDSU, I was super nervous and overwhelmed. But once I found out where my classes were and could plan ahead, I became a lot more comfortable. It’s been a really good experience.
