“I’ve always wanted to visit Virginia Tech but never had the chance. When this great opportunity presented itself, I took it.” — NOVA Engineering Student
On Saturday, March 1, 17 NOVA engineering students and two NOVA faculty and staff members attended an Open House at Virginia Tech (VT) that focused on the engineering transfer process. NOVA’s federal Perkins grant provided a charter bus for the field trip which was a planned activity developed by the NOVA VT Engineering Transfer Club.
The day at VT began with a dedicated transfer session led by Jarrid Dulaney, VT’s Senior Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions. He spoke to NOVA students about the transfer application process and provided key insights for both 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.
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 offer more trips like this because it gives students like me, who can’t drive five hours, the chance to experience something I never thought possible.”
The trip not only informed students about VT's top-tier engineering program, but also significantly boosted their confidence in applying to the university: “The trip was incredibly informative and made me feel more comfortable and confident in my decision to apply to VT.”
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 need to decide on my major by the end of this semester so I can be intentional with my course selection next year. I also need to meet with a NOVA advisor and enroll in summer courses. Additionally, I need to consider whether I want to pursue a minor or an accelerated master’s degree,” was one key response. 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 4.83 out of 5, highlighting the educational and personal growth benefits of the experience. Students particularly appreciated NOVA’s effective communication, timeliness, and organization, as well as the freedom to explore campus on their own. They also valued the comfort of the charter bus and the refreshments provided.
Additionally, students lauded the positive impact of their experience at VT, especially the quality information, the kind and helpful faculty, staff, and students,and the friendly community. One student remarked, “I like that Virginia Tech has a vibrant student life with many clubs and a strong sense of school spirit and pride.”
Another student reflected, “This trip will be a memorable experience with my friends, and the resources provided were excellent.”
Students unanimously recommended that NOVA organize similar trips in the future. A representative of the VT Engineering Transfer Club said, “NOVA should definitely offer more trips like this to a variety of four-year schools to get students thinking about their future!”