Before choosing 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»as the best place to work toward her degree in mechanical engineering, Ameila Wood began her studies at the University of Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» in Orlando.
βI liked it because it was close to home and had a good program, but when I got there, I was sitting in lectures of like 500 students,β said Wood, now a sophomore at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly.
With an undergraduate enrollment of more than 55,000, Wood found herself sitting on the floor in some crowded classes at UCF, struggling to connect with both peers and professors.
βI came to tour 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly in October (2018) and at the end of the tour my mom turned to me and said, βYou belong here,ββ Wood said.
She began the transfer process and started classes as a Phoenix in January 2019.
βIβm glad I went to UCF and had the experience of both, but Iβm so happy to be at
91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly,β said Wood, who also works as an admissions ambassador on campus.
The Titusville, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³», native said once she settled in at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, not only did her comfort level improve, her grades did, too.
βWhen I was at UCF, I was alone, studying by myself,β she said, adding that limited faculty office hours combined with a large number of students made reaching out to her professors challenging. βHere, itβs easy to find study groups and if you have a question you can just go upstairs and drop by your professorβs office.β
She also has become active in Acapoly, a campus choir group, and has started attending meetings of the Themed Entertainment Association.
National Transfer Student Week is Oct. 21-25, and Wood said she feels itβs important to let students know that transferring is a great option if they donβt feel their current college is the right fit.
βYouβre not stuck. It doesnβt matter if youβre already at a university β change can be good,β Wood said. βThereβs a university for everyone and 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly is the university thatβs right for me.β
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