Finding Community, Confidence and a Fresh Start at KU

Transferring to a new university is more than just continuing your education. It’s about finding a place where you feel at home, where opportunities are limitless and where you can see yourself thriving. At KU, transfer students aren’t just adjusting to a new campus. They’re joining a community that values their experiences and helps them succeed.

We caught up with three transfer students — Jai Moore, Lexie Huske and EJ Padgett — to hear their stories about finding their way at KU. Each of them took a different path to get here, but all three share the same excitement about what it means to be a Jayhawk.

Take a Tour to Envision Yourself Here

For many transfer students, the moment everything clicks is when they step onto campus.

That’s exactly what happened to Jai Moore. He visited several schools before making his decision, but when he toured KU, especially its film program, he knew right away that this was the place for him.

“I'm a visual learner, so what honed it in for me during my visit was being able to see my major in action,” he shares. “I'm a film and media major, so I saw all the resources: the cameras, the equipment I would be able to use, the facilities, the people I would get to network with. Seeing all the professors I would be able to learn from, watching students in their environment — it helped me see the future for myself.”

Jai Moore, KU Film & Media Studies Major

Jai planned to visit five universities after community college and a gap year. But after touring KU’s film program and meeting faculty, he canceled the rest — he had found the right fit. 

Jai also wanted a university that would give him the freedom to make his own choices while still providing the support he needed. At KU, he found both. Unlike many freshmen who start out in dorms, transfer students often look for living arrangements that fit their unique needs. For Jai, that meant finding a place where he could embrace his independence.

“I chose to live in The Hawker apartments because being independent was a priority for me in college,” Jai shares. “I wanted to be on my own schedule, and KU offered a campus housing opportunity where I could skip the dorms and live in an apartment by myself, make my own path and grow as a man.”

Limitless Opportunities for Growth 

Transferring can feel overwhelming. Will you find your place? Will you have the same opportunities as students who started at KU from day one?

Lexie Huske found out almost immediately that the answer is yes.

“When I got my newsletter of the transfer events in that first semester, it felt like KU was excited to have me. I think that made me feel special as someone who didn't know much about higher education on such a large campus. Would I be a number? Thankfully, it’s a very welcoming space and I definitely didn't feel like a number.” 

Lexie Huske, double majoring in religious studies and global and international studies

From the moment she stepped on campus, she felt like KU was just as excited to have her as she was to be here. She wasn’t just another student in the crowd. She was a valued member of the Jayhawk community.

And once she arrived, the opportunities kept coming. She changed her major after she learned about all the options she could choose from at KU. Next, she studied abroad, where she grew in ways she never expected after beginning her education at a local community college. Lexie, who hopes for an international career, found that studying abroad expanded her horizons in a way she never expected.

“I did the visual arts program in Spain and Morocco. We were there for a total of three weeks, and I learned so much about history and religious studies and culture. It was just an eye-opening experience that I couldn't wait to bring back to KU. Now I'm going to London for the spring break study abroad opportunity for preparing for international careers!” 
Her journey is proof that transferring to KU isn’t just about continuing what you started. It’s about expanding what’s possible.

A Community That Feels Like Home

One of the first things EJ Padgett noticed when she visited KU wasn’t just the campus. It was the city of Lawrence itself.

“Lawrence is not just a college town, it’s more than that. The people that live here love Lawrence, and they love that KU is a part of it. It's really cool to see how much everybody gets into things around here and how much the town really loves the school and students. I love living here — I think it's beautiful, it's kept well, and the people are so nice. The town really brought me here.” 

EJ Padgett, KU music education major

Unlike some college towns that feel separate from the university, Lawrence and KU are deeply connected. From local coffee shops where students study to businesses that support Jayhawks on and off campus, there is a real sense that this community is invested in your success. Whether you’re coming from across the state or across the country, KU doesn’t just welcome you. It embraces you.

EJ also loves that KU has added more resources and events specifically for transfer students. These events help students connect, just like the programs designed for first-year students. KU hosts monthly transfer student events. EJ attended a trivia night early on and was excited by the great turnout.

“There's a transfer Student Advisory Board that you can be a part of,” EJ shares. “I'm a part of it, and we get emails about interesting KU events. They're doing such a good job of bringing the transfer students together because it can be hard for them to find that community in their school, because a lot of people have already known each other. The goal is to create community within the transfer students so that then they have the comfort to go and join other communities too.”

Advice for Future KU Transfer Students

Each of these students came to KU with different backgrounds, different goals and different experiences. But they all have one thing in common: they found their place here.

EJ encourages future transfer students to visit campus, explore Lawrence, and most importantly, meet people in their intended major. Talking with students in the program she was interested in helped her feel confident in her choice and excited about the opportunities ahead.

“Just come and visit. Sign up for a tour with admissions. It's a great idea to really dive into whatever your special interest is and see how that school will serve you. Get in contact with the program you're interested in, and they’ll get a student to come and talk to you,” EJ shares. “When I learned about how great the music school was here at KU, I was just immediately sure: I'm going to be so comfortable here, these people all have these priorities that I have.” 

Lexie’s biggest piece of advice is to be open to everything KU has to offer. The resources, support, and opportunities are here, but you have to be willing to take that first step.

"That first semester coming from community college, I didn't realize the extent of available majors, club activity and student life," Lexie says. "Go to that club meeting or try that class. Go to that game with new friends you just met, and you're like, ‘Do I go?’ Just go. Try everything. Try different clubs you didn't think you'd be a part of. Try that one class you're wondering about. Try it. Learn and lean into the material."

KU offers dedicated resources to help transfer students make the transition, from credit transfer tools to student events and campus tours designed just for you. Whether you're looking for a fresh start, a new challenge, or a community that feels like home, KU is ready to welcome you.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more about transferring to KU.