Grady Transfer Student Spotlight

Transferring to a new college comes with its own set of challenges. Grady students offer advice to incoming transfers.

Featured in this piece are Alexia Rule, a fourth-year public relations student, Madeline Parker, a fourth-year public relations student, and Olivia Wilson, a fifth-year Journalism student.

Grady College: What advice would you give other transfer students?

Rule: The advice I would give to incoming transfer students is to not spread yourself too thin. Have deep roots instead of wide ones by deeply investing in the clubs, organizations and communities you are in, instead of trying to do absolutely everything.

Parker: I advise all transfer students to get as involved with your school as much as you can. It really makes a difference knowing the people in your classes and cohort, and helps you build a closer community in such a large school.

Wilson: I would say to take advantage of all the opportunities Grady has to offer so you can figure out what you like and what direction you want to go in!

GC: What is your favorite part of Grady College?

Rule: I love the community at Grady College – meeting and learning from people in my classes, professors, and guest speakers that come to Grady have been impactful and inspiring. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible group of people.

Parker: I love the professors at Grady! Every class I have taken I have benefitted from, and the professors really make an effort to make their content enjoyable and engaging.

Wilson: I love the Sports Media side of Grady because all the teachers genuinely care about you and what you want to do. The teachers are so willing to meet with you, make you feel welcome, and make the classes interactive. I also would say I have found the variety of classes helpful. I’ve taken classes ranging from home and garden to becoming media savvy.

GC: What resources were most valuable to you when transferring?

Rule: Throughout my transfer transition, I used a few main resources! I went to a few transfer events hosted by UGA and also kept in close communication with my amazing academic advisor – Krysten Lewis. She helped me not only figure out my classes but also told me about all of the incredible clubs and organizations I can be a part of.

Parker: In my first semester, I heavily relied on my academic advisor for general information and academic advice.

Wilson: I took advantage of my contact with Carlo Finlay, the Assistant Director of the Sports Media Institute. He met with me during the transfer process, he encouraged me along the way, he gave me guidance and his opinion on what route I should take. He wants to get to know students beyond the classroom, which made me love Grady even more.

GC: Why did you transfer to UGA?

Rule: I wanted to transfer to UGA for many reasons. The football, the incredible people and the culture of this city are a massive plus – but the Grady College was what drew me here to begin with the moment I knew I wanted to pursue a career path in ADPR. Grady symbolizes an open door to me, and my life changed when I walked through it.

Parker: I transferred to UGA for Grady College! Our department is one of the best in the nation. And for the bonus points, both of my parents also graduated from Grady. Grady College is in my DNA!

Wilson: I transferred to UGA for the Sports Media Institute and Grady specifically. I knew I wanted to work in sports, and I needed the push, the classes, and the connections. UGA checked all the boxes!

Editor: Madden Callahan, emc50486@uga.edu