Should You Transfer Colleges? College Raptor’s guide to college transfer

Key takeaways

• You may consider changing colleges if your current school doesn’t offer your desired major, you are finding it too hard to afford, or if you aren’t getting what you need inside the classroom or from the college experience as a whole.
• You shouldn’t transfer to a new college just because you have a bad roommate or professor, or are feeling homesick.
• Before you decide to switch schools, consider your academic and career goals as well as your reasons for wanting to transfer.

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While many college students start and graduate from the same college or university, others may discover that where they start actually isn’t the place for them.

But how do you know if you should transfer colleges? First and foremost—trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t brush it aside. The earlier you identify the need for a change, the easier it is to make one and stay on track toward graduation. Here we discuss reasons to transfer, pros and cons, and other tips that can help guide your decision.

7 reasons to transfer colleges

If you’re weighing the idea of transferring, here are valid reasons that might mean it’s the right move:

1. The college isn’t what you expected

We’ve all been there: something we were excited about didn’t turn out quite the way we expected—college is no exception. Even with college tours and plenty of research, students can choose one that’s not quite right for them. Here are a few reasons why you might feel that way:

• Academics: If the coursework is too challenging, not challenging enough, or doesn’t meet your academic needs, you may seek a better fit elsewhere.
• Social scene: While clubs and extracurricular activities may be advertised on the college website, the actual social scene might not feel right for you.
• Campus size: If you’re at a large school, you might find it overwhelming to be in massive classes where you don’t feel connected. Or, if you’re at a smaller college, you might find the smaller classes too close-knit or the social scene lacking.
• Location: Whether you thought living in a big city or a small town was the dream, sometimes being there in person can change your mind. If the location is affecting your happiness or schoolwork, it’s worth reevaluating.

2. You are transitioning from a two-year school to a four-year school

Maybe you decided to start your college education at a community college, as many graduating high school seniors do. Whether it was because you didn’t get into your dream school, wanted to save money, or weren’t sure about your major yet, there are plenty of benefits to attending a community college.

However, most community colleges only offer associate degrees. So, if you want to earn your bachelor’s degree, you’ll have to transfer to a four-year college after completing those first two years.

3. Your finances have changed

Sometimes finances can unexpectedly shift due to changes in income, medical emergencies, or a family crisis. These changes may make your current college unaffordable, even if you were once managing the costs comfortably. In these cases, transferring to a more affordable school might be the only way to continue your education. If you are in this situation, consider reaching out to your current college to see if there are financial aid or scholarship options you may be eligible for.

4. You have decided to change majors

If you are feeling unsatisfied with the major you originally chose, it may be time for a change. While some colleges will offer your new major, not all will—and even if they do, the program may be lackluster in comparison to other schools. Speak to your college counselor to learn more about paths that are available to you, as well as any deadlines you must meet if you are seriously considering transferring schools.

5. Transferring was always the plan

Transferring might have been part of your college strategy from the beginning. Maybe you didn’t get into your dream school the first time around, so you planned on spending a year or two somewhere else before reapplying with a stronger application.

While some schools won’t entertain repeat applications, there are plenty that do! Review how your dream college handles these types of applications to ensure you’re properly planning for your future.

6. You are experiencing a lack of motivation or engagement

Do you find yourself:

• Avoiding social activities and events on campus as they don’t fit your needs or interests?
• Feeling like the courses are easy and not challenging you?
• Bored more often than not?
• Lacking motivation to do schoolwork or attend classes?
• Wanting to stay in more often?

These may be signs that you need to transfer schools to find one that is more suitable for your needs. If you are not at the right school, you may feel isolated and avoid social interactions at all costs—even if your school offers a variety of sports, sororities, and clubs. Although your academics are important, it’s equally important to attend a school that keeps you engaged and moving forward.

7. Your financial aid no longer covers the cost of tuition

If your financial aid doesn’t cover as much as it did the previous year, you may have to switch schools to continue your education. Talk to your current school’s financial aid department to review your options and find the solution that works best for you.

Reasons NOT to transfer

Short-term problems may skew our view of reality. These three reasons may impact your college experiences now, but they’re often not enough of a reason to transfer:

Short-term issues may skew your perspective, but they’re rarely enough to justify transferring schools:

1. Roommate troubles: Many students encounter roommate problems, but these are usually temporary and can often be resolved by speaking with your RA or by requesting a roommate change for a better fit.
2. Your homesick: Missing family and friends is common at first, but it typically fades; staying connected and getting involved on campus can help you feel more engaged and relieve feelings of loneliness.
3. Professor issues: Difficult professors exist everywhere, and learning to manage these relationships is valuable. Check with other students or online reviews before enrolling in classes and try to view your experiences with a difficult professor as a great way to learn problem solving skills.

The pros and cons of being a transfer student

Transfers are more common than you might think, but as with every decision, there are pros and cons. Before transferring, it’s important to weigh each benefit and disadvantage:

Are you transferring for the right reasons?

Students who transfer colleges choose to do so for several different reasons. But how do you know if you are transferring for the right or wrong reasons? Start by asking yourself these questions to better understand your “why” and help guide you toward the best decision.

Why exactly do I want to transfer?

Before you put in your request to transfer, see if you identify with any of the following statements:

• I am unhappy with the faculty or the student cohort at my current school.
• I find the location of my school boring, with not much to do on the weekends.
• I find myself struggling to cope with the program and want to transfer to a program that is less challenging.
• I am not challenged enough and would like to transfer to a program that is a little more demanding.

Changing schools is expensive and involves a lot of formalities. It should only be something you consider if you think it’s the only option.

Have I given my college a fair chance?

Many college freshmen make the decision to transfer midway through their first semester. But the truth is, it does take time to settle in, and the first semester is likely to be the hardest as you get used to this new way of life, make new friends, grapple with the hectic schedule, and adjust to dorm life. Once you get past these initial hurdles, college life will begin to get easier. Before long, you will find your groove and start enjoying yourself. Give your college a chance by staying for at least a semester or two.

What do I like about my present college? What don’t I like about it?

It may help to keep things in perspective if you make a list of what you like and what you don’t like about your present school. You may be in for a surprise if you find that the things that matter most are on your list of likes and the things you don’t like are really just trivial annoyances.

Do the classes and professors meet my expectations?

One thing you shouldn’t compromise on is academics. If the academics aren’t meeting your expectations, transferring might be the right move.

Will my financial aid transfer, or will I lose it?

Financial aid does not transfer automatically from one college to another. Also, the amount of aid you are eligible for may not be the same. This is because different colleges calculate aid differently. Before you transfer, make sure you find out how it will impact your financial aid.

How much will the transfer cost me?

Before you transfer, add up all the costs—tuition, housing, food, travel, and any changes in cost of living between locations. Once you’ve calculated the total cost, really consider if transferring is worth it.

Is transferring for you?

In the end, the decision is up to you. You’ll need to consider your education goals, career dreams, and reasons for transferring to help you make the best choice for you. If you’re not sure, talk to trusted adults and your academic advisor to go over your options and learn how to transfer to your new college. Ultimately, when you know what you want to get out of your college experience, finding the right school is less daunting and becomes much easier.

If you want to increase your chances of discovering your ideal school the first time around, use College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool! With it, you can discover colleges that are matched to you based on your personalized academic, financial, and social needs.