Key Takeaways:
- Transferring colleges is common–whether it’s because of academics, social fit, location, or cost.
- Before transferring, it’s important to understand the transfer process, including deadlines, application requirements, when to visit campus, and maintaining grades.
- Find out about the level of difficulty of admissions, applying to previously rejected colleges, credit transfer, graduating on time, and transferring late.
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If you have questions about transferring colleges, whether you’re wondering if it’s too late to make the switch or just considering the possibility–you’re not alone. College transfers are actually more common than you might think. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly one-third of all college students transfer at least once during their higher education.
While it can be disheartening to find out that the school you fell in love with on paper isn’t for you, rest assured there are options available. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide to transferring colleges. This way, you can feel confident you’re making a decision that’s best for your future.
Why Do Students Transfer Colleges?
There is a lot of growth and development that happens during the college years. While some students start off with one idea or goal in mind, others begin college with a lot of uncertainties about what their future holds. As their classes progress, they get more clarity about what they really want to do, and then realize their chosen school isn’t equipped to support this new goal. This is one of the most common reasons why students transfer colleges.
Choosing to transfer because you don’t like your classmates or lecturers is definitely not recommended. The transfer process is expensive and time-consuming. It also often delays graduation. Mild inconveniences are not a good reason to even consider transferring.
Should You Transfer?
It’s important to really get to the bottom of why you’re thinking about transferring colleges. Are you considering transferring due to a reason that will have a long-lasting impact on you as a student or upon graduation? Or is the reason something that will pass in a short amount of time?
Many students transfer when they graduate from community college and move on to attend a four-year college. However, if you’re in a four-year college already and you’ve discovered you’re not happy there for personal or academic reasons, then transferring may be on your mind. You might be asking yourself, “Is this a good reason to transfer or should I just stick it out?” Here are some reasons why transferring might be a good decision, and a few factors to reconsider before making the move:
Reasons To Consider Transferring:
- You Desire a Better Academic Fit: Perhaps your initial school doesn’t have the specific program you are interested in, or maybe you realized another school is better equipped to support you. Whatever the case, you may find yourself leaning towards other colleges or universities for academically-related reasons. After transferring, you can find yourself in a better field for you and your future career aspirations.
- You Want a Better Social Fit: You may feel out of place at your school due to campus size or activities of interest. Transferring to a campus of different size or with varying appeals can help you feel more comfortable and supported. It just might be what helps you find your footing and revamp your education.
- You’re Unhappy with the Location: A change of scenery can be just what you need sometimes. If your current school isn’t the right fit, whether it’s too urban or too rural, transferring to a new location could be the change you need to succeed.
- You Can No Longer Afford the Tuition: Maybe you are attending an expensive school that is out-of-state or private. If paying for school is becoming too overwhelming, then you might decide to attend a school that still offers everything you need, but at a lower cost.
Reasons Not To Consider Transferring:
- Not All of Your Credits May Transfer: One of the biggest frustrations with transferring is that some of your hard-earned credits may not move with you. This can force you to retake classes or even stay an extra semester or two.
- It Can Add Financial Strain: Transferring may mean extra tuition and higher living costs depending on where you go. It could also mean delaying a first full-time job paycheck with your new degree.
- Temporary Reasons: Feeling homesick, having difficulty with roommates, or struggling to make friends are common issues that usually improve with time. This doesn’t always mean that you need to transfer schools–give it some time!
Things To Know About the Transfer Process
Before transferring colleges, you will need to start a college list–just like you did in your senior year of high school. You’ll have to find colleges that match your achievements, needs, and wants. Although, this time around you should also consider the things you don’t want in a school. You likely learned a lot from the first go around in high school.
Are you ready to make the change? Here are some things to know about the transfer process:
Make Note of Transfer Application Deadlines
Whether you are applying to one specific school or multiple schools, taking note of the application deadline is crucial–especially because transfer students may have a different deadline than incoming freshmen. Not all colleges have the same deadline, so make sure you note all of the deadlines.
Be Aware of the Application Process
Transferring colleges isn’t as simple as packing up and moving from one campus to another. Each school has its own eligibility criteria, so you will first need to check that you meet the requirements of your preferred college.
If you are eligible to apply, you then have to go through the entire application process (this includes submitting your high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, and college transcripts). While the application process for transfer students differs from that of incoming freshmen, it’s still competitive. A top-notch application supported by solid academic performance is crucial to getting accepted.
Request College Transcripts
All colleges require transfer applications to be accompanied by the student’s latest college transcript. This is because colleges want to know more about your academic performance at your current school before admitting you. It gives them a better idea of what to expect from you and whether you will be an asset to their institution. Because obtaining transcripts can take time, it’s important you put in a request in advance so your application is not delayed.
Note: If you’ve spent a year or less at your current school, your transfer college may also ask to see your SAT/ACT scores. Keep these ready if you are transferring during your first year.
Request Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters are often a requirement when transferring, so make sure you read each school’s requirements carefully. Some may ask for only one recommendation letter while others may ask for more. You’ll want someone who knows you well to write your recommendation letter. This could be a professor you worked closely with, an employer, or a mentor.
Work on Your Transfer Application Essay
Most colleges will ask you to write an essay emphasizing why you want to transfer to their particular school. Focus on this topic even if your prospective school does not specify the topic of the essay. Ultimately, this essay will determine whether or not you get accepted. Make sure you spend sufficient time working on your essay, tweaking, editing, and polishing it to perfection.
If You Can, Visit The Campus of Your Target School
Visiting the campus you are hoping to transfer to can help you solidify your choice of college either way. You may come away convinced that a school is a great fit for you, or you may decide it’s not for you. While on your campus visit, try to arrange to sit in on one or more classes, talk to students, eat at the cafeteria, and stay a night in a dorm if possible. All of these will help to ensure that you are making the right choice.
Keep Working on Your Grades
Don’t simply stop attending your classes or completing assignments because you know you’re planning on applying for transfers. Your future potential colleges will still look at your current college grades. It could result in a rejection if you’re not putting your best foot forward. Creating a schedule to study and work on your transfer application is one way to do justice to both activities.
If and when you’ve been accepted to a new college, you must continue to work hard. Colleges and universities can rescind offers! You want to make sure those classes transfer; the higher the credits you are able to transfer, the sooner you will be able to graduate.
Consider the Financial Aspects of Transferring
If you are currently receiving financial aid through your college, you may be able to transfer some of that aid to your new school. However, the amount of aid you can transfer will vary depending on the policies of your current and new schools. It is important to speak with the financial aid offices at both schools to determine how your transfer will affect your financial aid. You may also be eligible for new financial aid from your new school. Many schools offer financial aid to transfer students, so it is worth asking what you can apply for.
Commonly Asked Questions About Transferring Colleges
Is It Harder To Get Accepted Into College as a Transfer Student?
It may be harder to get into colleges as a transfer student, especially if the school in question is highly selective. It’s important to look at college transfer acceptance rates to see your chances of getting in.
Can I Apply to Colleges I Was Already Rejected From?
Not all colleges will accept re-submissions of applications if you were previously rejected from them. However, most schools will review your new application. If you’re unsure how the college in question handles re-submissions, reach out before you apply.
How Do I Make Sure My Transfer Credits Will Be Accepted?
Before you submit any applications, you’ll need to make sure the college you want to attend will accept your transfer credits. While some schools make it easy to transfer credits, others may require a minimum GPA or may not accept certain courses.
If you have any questions about how transferring credits works for the school you’re thinking about attending, reach out to the college’s advisors. They can give you detailed information of how their transfers work, what credits are accepted from your school, and minimum requirements for GPA.
Can I Transfer and Still Graduate on Time?
While it is entirely possible to transfer schools and graduate on time, not every student will have this experience. It will all depend on the program you’re entering, the year you transfer, and how many transfer credits are accepted by the new college.
Is It Ever Too Late to Transfer Colleges?
While it is generally recommended to transfer colleges within your first two years, many students do successfully transfer later on. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons if you’re in a later year of college before you jump to transferring. There are two main factors to consider with this:
- Application Deadlines: Each college has its own deadlines for transfer applications. The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.
- Transfer Credits: Some schools won’t accept several transfer credits and almost all have limits on how many they will accept. Most colleges and universities, for example, will only accept between 60 or 90 credits for transfers. This could extend your time to graduation.
While discovering the college you’re attending isn’t for you can be a stressful experience, know that you do have the option to transfer. Talk it over with academic advisors and your parents before making a final decision, and be sure to do plenty of research on the school you want to transfer to (including reaching out to them) before you go.
If you want to discover your ideal school the first time around, use College Raptor’s College Match tool! With it, you can discover colleges that are matched to you based on your own personalized academic, financial, and social needs.
