Five things I wish I knew as an intercollegiate transfer to ACES
Most students switch majors a few times before graduating, and I proudly admit that I was one of them. I applied to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, planning to major in integrative biology. After a summer foray into ecological work, I decided that natural resources and environmental sciences (NRES) was more my speed. I transferred to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and I’m glad I did!
ACES is a great place to work and learn, especially if you know how to make the most of it. Are you considering ACES? Here’s everything I wish I knew.
1. Get to know your new college
ACES is home to a dizzying array of facilities, mostly spread out across South Campus, as well as some off-campus locations. There's something for everyone, from the stables and experimental fields, to the greenhouses and plant conservatory, to the quiet, sunlit halls of the Funk Library. Take some time to walk around South Campus and explore everything ACES has to offer.
2. Gain experience — and not just in the lab
Cutting-edge research is always happening at ACES, and professors want motivated undergraduates to help them out. Talk to your professors and look at your department’s research page to find work in the lab and out in the field. And if research isn’t for you, not to worry! You can gain experience in a number of registered student organizations, like Red Bison, which guides student volunteers through invasive species removal, the Bird Strike Survey, which promotes bird conservation on campus, or the Horticulture Club, where you can immerse yourself in all things plants.
3. Explore classes outside your department
I entered ACES as an NRES student, so farming was not top-of-mind for me. But when I tried out a crop sciences class, I discovered a new interest in sustainable agriculture, and developed professional connections that landed me a communications internship here in the ACES Office of Marketing Communications. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone and try a couple classes outside of your department. You never know what you’ll find.
4. Double check your requirements
Were it not for my attentive and helpful academic advisor, I might have unnecessarily repeated some classes. For instance, when I planned to major in biology, I took biostatistics, which doesn’t fulfill NRES math requirements. But when I spoke to my advisor, she explained I could apply for a course substitution. Always talk to your advisor before signing up for classes, especially while navigating new requirements as a transfer student.
5. Keep your old connections
When I left LAS, I thought I’d have to abandon my plan to double major in philosophy. Thankfully, I looked into the dual degree program, which allows you to earn two or more undergraduate degrees across colleges. Continuing to study philosophy in LAS, as a student based in ACES, has given me a unique perspective and fostered interdisciplinary connections that will support my career when I graduate. Just because you’re transferring to ACES, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your previous endeavors.
The College of ACES is a vibrant place to learn, explore, and meet new people. Transferring to a new college is challenging, but taking the initiative to explore resources, meet people, and try different things will help you benefit from everything ACES has to offer.