Prospective transfer students now have an updated resource to connect them to any Michigan school they wish to transfer to.

The Michigan Transfer Network launched a new transfer student website, mitransfer.org, this spring. The site aims to be a single place where students can search for schools and see transfer requirements.

Mitransfer.org compiles transfer guides, listed accepted credits, AP and IB resources, and Michigan Transfer Agreement information to create a hub of resources for each school in the state. The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) recommended the state create the website, and it was then funded through the FY 2018 state budget.

The previous website, michigantransfernetwork.org, has existed since 2007 and offered students course equivalencies. The new update follows nearly two years of development completed by the state’s community colleges, public universities, and independent colleges and universities, according to MCAN.

Matt Zeig, Oakland University transfer articulation coordinator, will help OU maintain its page on the website. He said transfer students need the website because it offers user-friendly access to valuable reports that previously were not available.

“This is a really crucial page because students want to see how their courses transfer,” Zeig said. “While they can find it on the actual mitransfer.org website, this will be very specific to OU, and I think the big thing is those transfer guides, so students can see exactly how it applies.”

The OU Enrollment Report for fall 2018 said 1,466 new transfer students entered OU in summer and fall 2018, and transfer students made up 38% of all undergraduates. With new features such as links to a school’s admissions, records and registration, financial aid and academic advising information, the website offers a comprehensive set of resources.

“Mitransfer.org represents a new transparency in information and an improved system to better support students,” said Ryan Fewins‐Bliss, interim executive director of MCAN. “Access to all of our colleges and universities are increased because of this statewide tool. We are thrilled to showcase this site as a ‘best‐in‐class,’ one‐stop‐shop for students.”

In addition to the website’s resources, OU plans to bring back its own online transfer student tool where prospective students can more easily identify which credits will transfer directly to OU degrees. Shane Lewis, director of Undergraduate Admissions, said Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, and University Communication and Marketing aim to launch the tool later this year.

According to Zeig, future transfer students should plan early by staying in constant contact with academic advisers at both institutions — not just their current school — to make sure any changes to requirements or course credits are communicated as soon as possible.

Lewis said he is eager to make the transfer process easier for prospective students.

“We’re not only excited for the Michigan Transfer Network to have gotten this update, we’re also excited to be moving forward in the creation and implementation of our new transfer tool on the website, which I’m very excited for,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to supporting transfer students in developing that transfer path so they can eventually begin here at Oakland and become Golden Grizzlies.”