Transfer Students Happy at Salve

By: Shannon Long
Posted In: News

NEWPORT, R.I.-The seaside view, beautiful mansions, and cobblestoned downtown cannot be beat. Salve Regina’s picturesque New England campus is pulling in students from all over the United States.

This fall semester, students have transferred from the University of Maine, Worchester State College, and San Diego State University, to name a few.

These students say the school’s location was their deciding factor in coming to Salve and they do not regret it.

Salve Regina transfer students love being by the ocean and having the ability to take the trolley or walk to the quaint boutiques and delicious restaurants in downtown Newport.

“The best part of Salve without a doubt has to be its location,” said Ashley Aguiar, a junior from Maine. “I have had a blast this semester exploring the area.”

Aguiar has been to three schools during her college career and finally thinks she has found her niche. “I guess third time’s a charm,” Aguiar said. “I chose SRU because the location was beautiful and they have a five years master’s program for my major.”

Transfer students find that SRU provides them with reputable academic programs in social work, nursing, administrative justice and other liberal art’s programs.

“Salve Regina has one of the best social work programs in the country,” said Sagitta Woodman, a sophomore transfer student. “The school that I was going to was not challenging me enough. ” Woodman was not expecting the school work to be this tough, but helpful teachers and small classes have balanced her challenging days.

Other students transfer to SRU because of the current healthcare situation and the benefits, which a nursing career can bring graduates.

“I transferred to Salve because it has a great nursing program and I am really happy with it,” said Kayla O’Connor, a junior transfer said. “I love the nursing program as well as the people in it.”

With such a great reputation and a strong career development program, Salve Regina students are happy with their switch and the learning style, which Salve offers.

The unique curriculum including classes to enhance a student’s spiritual journey, are intriguing to transfer students even if it may cost them an extra semester or so. Transfer students in Conley Hall agree the Seeking Wisdom class has opened their mind to another level of thinking.

As a transfer student, fitting into the campus’s social life seems like an unbeatable hurdle, but at SRU it is a smooth transition.

“I’ve met some people here in this short amount of time that I know are going to be friendships that last a lifetime,” Aguiar said. “Having met some nice people here certainly makes the time spent far more enjoyable and a lot of fun.”

“Both of my roommates are great,” O’Connor said. “They are both extremely welcoming and kind.”

Although all three are committed students and live in the library most school days, they agree that the Newport offers a wide range of weekend activities. In the girls past college experiences, the students have centered only on the partying and dorm living.

Here at Salve, the students get involved with activities on-campus and off-campus on the weekends. This adds variety to the scene.

Salve Regina offers variety in other senses as a well. The residence halls come in all shapes and sizes.

Aguiar resides in the French Cottage, an on-campus house. This residence hall is non-traditional. “I enjoy not living in the standard dorm,” Aguiar said. Although things with her roommates could be better, they could also be worse and she keeps in open mind about this.

O’Connor resides in a traditional dorm. Hunt Hall is a dorm for freshmen, sophomores and transfers. She loves it there and is “very happy” with her living situation.

It seems like Salve is doing something right because these transfer students could not be happier.

To top it off, the professors and advisors could not be more helpful. The girls agree that everyone has gone out of their way to help them succeed and become acclimated.

“My advisor is great and has helped me make transferring seem relatively easy,” Woodman said. “Teachers have always been available if I need any extra help or have a question.”

“The teachers as well as my advisor have been more than helpful,” O’Connor Said of the transferring process. “I feel like I am getting a full education here.”

Although the transfer students are happy with most aspects of SRU, the food is still something of a complaint. Students are not ecstatic to eat at Miley Hall everyday. They cannot wait to head to Starbucks for a coffee or the Salvation Café for lunch on the weekends.

For what it is worth, the food is not enough to drown their spirits though.

Transfer students are now permanent students at Salve Regina because it has encompassed the full college experience.

Aguiar recommends that transfer students, “Be open minded in the sense that a student can over come them and enjoy SRU and all it has to offer.” This school may not be for everyone, but it sure was the right choice for me,” Aguiar said.

O’Connor agrees with similar advice.”I would recommend to come here because you can’t find much better,” O’Connor said.

Salve Regina University is a notable university with positive feedback from its students.

“The school is perfect for me, and it can be perfect for many other transfer students as well,” Woodman said.

Students can apply online or by mail for various programs including undergraduate, graduate, part time or full time. Undergraduate admissions predict a rise in transfer students over the next few years because of its expanding popularity and academic programs.

At Salve Regina University transfer students are succeeding because there is something for everyone in beautiful Newport, R.I.