The Rewards of Starting Over
When you think of an entering college student, you usually think of someone coming right out of high school. But every year, for any number of reasons, roughly 75 students transfer to Capital from other colleges and universities.
This is one student's story.
A Promising Start
Reyahd "DJ" Kazimi had what every graduating senior wants: his pick of the colleges he'd applied to. Capital University, Tiffin University and Ohio Wesleyan had all accepted this varsity quarterback and Dublin Scioto High School student. After weighing his options, DJ chose Ohio Wesleyan. What tipped the balance? "I had friends who were going there," he admits.
DJ leaped headfirst into college life, making friends and getting active in student government, multicultural affairs and Campus Crusade for Christ. His grades were high, and he was getting closer to choosing a major.
A Change of Course
But as time went by, DJ realized that OWU wasn't as good a fit as he'd thought. He was interested in both political science and economics, but his school didn't offer a double major. He wanted to play for a more competitive football team. And he wanted a more open social atmosphere.
"It's not easy to leave a school you've been at for a year and a half," DJ states. But when he visited Capital, he found professors and administrators who were friendly and ready to help him make the transition. "Deanna and Craig in Admission sent me to Stacy in the Registrar's Office, and she introduced me to Charlie Jones, the head of the political science department," DJ remembers. They all seemed determined to show him how he could make it work.
When you're making such a big change, fears and doubts come with the territory. But in the end, DJ chose to take it on faith. "I just figured, if I'm really meant to be at Capital, things will open up," he says. "And they did."
Making it Happen
DJ's family offered to help him do some of the legwork involved in transferring. But he felt it was his responsibility, and before long he was on a first-name basis with the people in Admission and Financial Aid. He talked to admission counselor Craig Sohl about three times a week, gathering information and discussing his options. "Then I sat down and mapped it all out: how much I'd have to pay out-of-pocket, how much inflation would be, and the amount I could get in loans," Reyahd remembers.
DJ's father was impressed by his son's initiative — not to mention the numbers he came up with. "My dad saw that everything I was getting at OWU, I could get at Capital for less," DJ recalls.
Connecting with the Multicultural Community
DJ, a minority student, had been active in multicultural life at OWU. He hoped to be active at Capital, too, but was unsure how to begin.
Soon after he was accepted to Capital, DJ got a letter from Gay Steele in the Multicultural Affairs Office. "She welcomed me to the Capital community and gave me her office number and location in case I wanted to get involved or had any questions. This helped me greatly by making feel a part of the university."
DJ met with Steele and her assistant, Brian Murphy, to learn how he might contribute to their efforts. Months later, the three remain close. "I stop by the Multicultural Affairs Office about once a week, just to talk about everyday life and how things are. Brian and Ms. Steele make it feel like home," DJ explains. "We also talk about different conferences and activities that the office is holding and ways to help our campus community."
A New Life at Capital
DJ's outgoing nature has served him well during the four months he's been at Capital. He can walk into the Cru Club and strike up a conversation with just about anyone. And he has already been elected to a position on next year's Campus Ministry Committee.
There are many things DJ loves about his new alma mater. One is the way Capital professors and students interact. "I've always been sociable with my professors, but here it's different," he explains. "Professors at Capital treat you like an equal."
He also appreciates Capital's proximity to downtown Columbus. "I don't think people realize what an advantage Capital's location is," he comments. To do a political science internship through OWU, he would have had a one-hour commute. Bexley is so close to downtown, he can study and do an internship and still have time to play football, work part--time and volunteer.
Words of Advice
If you are thinking about transferring, DJ has some words of advice. "You have to choose the place that's right for you," he states firmly. "And you have to step off your box and meet people!"