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Famous People Who Transferred During University: A Who's Who for Students in University Pathway Programs

Tue 22 Nov 2016

One of the biggest advantages of studying in the USA is flexibility. Students at universities in the USA can choose from a wider range of courses than anywhere else, and also have the freedom to choose electives or even change majors during their degree.

Not only that, but thanks to the university transfer system, students can even change institutions during their studies. Students in the US earn course credits for every class they take, which are accepted by other universities when students apply to transfer. This means that if you find that studying somewhere else would be better for your career, your interests, or personal situation, you can apply there without having to start over.

A few famous faces have even used the university transfer system to help them achieve their goals over the years. Here are some you might recognize.

 

Students in USA Pathways Might Be Surprised How Many American Presidents Were Transfer Students

Probably the most famous university transfer student of them all, current US President Barack Obama began his education at Occidental College in Los Angeles in 1979. However, he found it hard to settle in California and transferred two years later to Columbia University in New York. His major? Political science, of course.

Obama isn’t the only President to transfer during university either. John F Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Woodrow Wilson were all transfer students, while in the 19th century, John Quincy Adams, James Garfield, and Benjamin Harrison all transferred at least once during their studies.

There have been seven transfer students in the White House

 

Business Tycoon Warren Buffet Studied at Three US Universities to Achieve His Goals

Students in USA pathways who are thinking of studying business may have heard of well-known American investor Warren Buffet. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffet went from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s wealthiest people, with a personal fortune of over $66 billion.

As a teenager, he moved across the country to attend the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1947. But a year later, he would transfer back to his home state and enroll in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After completing his degree, Buffet would move again to complete a Master’s degree at Columbia University.

 

Why George Lucas’ Story Can Inspire USA Pathways Students to Reach for the Stars

The creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, George Lucas is one the most famous film directors of all time. But Lucas did not always want to go into the movie industry. As a freshman, Lucas enrolled in Modesto Junior College in 1978 to study anthropology. As time went by, he became more and more interested in cinema, so he eventually transferred to the University of Southern California to attend the School of Cinematic Arts.

 George Lucas transferred during university to study film, and went on to create Star Wars

Lucas’s story is a great example for students taking university pathway programs of how the flexibility of the US university system allows students to discover new passions, interests, and talents. For Lucas, transferring during his studies would lead him to fortune, fame, and success beyond his wildest dreams. Could it do the same for you?

Want to find out more about admissions requirements for universities in the USA?

Contact ONCAMPUS today!


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