NOVA Brings 47 Engineering Transfer Students to Virginia Tech

March 22, 2024 / Our Nighthawks

On Sunday, March 17, three NOVA faculty and staff accompanied 47 engineering students on a trip to Virginia Tech (VT) to attend an open house focused on the engineering transfer process. NOVA’s federal Perkins grant provided a charter bus for the trip which was a planned activity developed by the newly formed NOVA VT Engineering Transfer Club.

The day began at VT with a dedicated transfer session led by VT Transfer Coordinator and Interim Associate Director Jarrid Dulaney, who spoke to the NOVA students about the transfer application process and provided key insights for applicants and admitted students. 

Afterwards, the group joined an engineering session and then had the opportunity to participate in a majors fair, tour the campus, and have lunch in a university dining hall. They also learned the importance of identifying key VT contacts, finding housing, and taking advantage of various university programs and opportunities.

A particular favorite was the Ware Lab, a space where VT students currently work on projects that NOVA transfer students could join in the future, such as an AISC Steel Bridge, a human-powered submarine, and an autonomous Mars mining robot.

Many students shared in the post-trip survey that excursions to VT and other universities are often beyond their reach due to open houses filling up quickly or limited personal resources. One participant stated that “NOVA should provide trips like this in the future because it gives opportunities for students who don’t have transportation access to Blacksburg. This trip allows NOVA students to have a better understanding of the transfer process and how to plan.”

The trip not only informed students about VT’s top-tier engineering program, but also significantly boosted their confidence in applying to the university: “This field trip gave me more confidence about my application to VT. I was afraid that my chances were zero, but now I know what they’re looking for, I have a chance just like any other student.” 

Through the experience, participants came away with clear insights into the next steps of their educational journey and the essential characteristics needed for a successful transfer to VT’s engineering program: “I learned that I need to continue meeting with my advisor and to check the Roadway Map to select classes that can be transferred. I also need to focus on raising and maintaining a good GPA,” was one key response.

Another surveyed student remarked that they need to “take the required courses, apply ahead of time, and reach out with questions instead of assuming things.” Overall, most participants responded that their knowledge of the transfer process and their confidence in their ability to transfer increased because of the trip.

The average student rating for the field trip was 4.81 out of 5, highlighting the educational and personal growth benefits of the experience. Students particularly appreciated the straightforward application process, effective communication from NOVA, the sign-up timeline, the comfort of the charter bus, and the refreshments provided by NOVA.

Additionally, students lauded the positive impact of their experience at VT, especially the majors fair, the general engineering session, and the engineering student panel. One student remarked, “the VT staff was approachable and helped guide us throughout the campus. The majors fair gave us an opportunity to explore new majors and to ask questions. I would love to be a student at VT.”

Another student reflected “This was an awesome opportunity for engineering students like me to experience a day at VT. It was unforgettable.”

Students unanimously recommended that NOVA organize similar trips in the future. A representative of the VT Engineering Transfer Club indicated that the trip “was not only informative and motivational, but a fun event that brought us closer and really visualized the goal we have as a club.”

47 NOVA students from the NOVA VT Engineering Transfer Club smile for the camera outside Burruss Hall at Virginia Tech.
47 NOVA students from the NOVA VT Engineering Transfer Club facing the camera outside Burruss Hall at Virginia Tech.

 

Submitted by:
Bryce Lenon, IET PR & Marketing, BLenon@nvcc.edu