Everything You Should Consider Before You Transfer Colleges
You spend your whole life waiting to go to college, but sometimes, you get there and it’s not exactly what you expected. You might realize that you want to be closer to home, there’s another school out there that aligns better with your academic pursuits, or you don’t think it’s overall the right environment for you. Luckily, you have the option to transfer to a different college or university. It’s not a quick and simple decision . Whether you know you want to transfer schools or are still considering your options, there are a number of factors to consider, including tuition cost, course availability, and whether or not credits from your current school will transfer.
“More than anything else, prepare early, conduct research and plan ahead,” Pam Cavanaugh, Ed.D., Associate Vice Provost for UCF Connect at the University of Central Florida, says. “College is an incredibly unique and rewarding experience, filled with the chance to explore new ideas, meet new people and pursue your professional ambitions and passions. Each school offers different opportunities — whether that’s living on campus, studying abroad, holding an internship, or joining a student organization. The sooner you can find your ‘fit,’ the more you’ll be able to maximize your experience.”
We talked to Dr. Cavanaugh and Brian Switay, Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions at The College of New Jersey, to break down everything you need to know about transferring schools and finding the best fit for you.
How many students transfer each year?
If you’re thinking about transferring, you’re not alone. According to Forbes, approximately 2.1 million college students transferred schools in the 2020-2021 academic year. Statistics from the National Student Clearinghouse, an educational nonprofit, support this number — about one third of college students transfer between institutions, per Best Colleges. At the University of Central Florida, where Dr. Cavanaugh works, over 51 percent of bachelor’s degree graduates have been transfer students.
Why do students transfer?
Students transfer for a lot of varying reasons. Some might transfer from one four-year university to another, or from a two-year or community college to a four-year university, Dr. Cavanaugh notes.
One common reason is that they didn’t get into their dream school initially, and after a semester or so of another college, they still hope to attend that school. Switay also cites homesickness as a major reason why students transfer schools. If you decided to travel far away for college, and you are extremely homesick, transferring to a school closer to home may be the right decision for you.
Some students may decide to take a break from college to work, pursue military service, or travel, and then decide to transfer to a new school to finish their degree.
“While many students enroll in college after high school or taking classes at a state college, there are large numbers of students who put their education on hold earlier in life due to things like family obligations, military service, or a desire to enter the workforce early,” Dr. Cavanaugh adds.
Others may realize their passion once they get to college, but if their institution doesn’t offer that major, they may decide to switch schools. Or, they might choose to transfer to a more affordable institution.
What should I consider before I transfer?
Before you transfer college, there’s a lot to consider. Switay advises thinking about the path you want to take and what major you want to complete. Make sure that the school you are transferring into offers that major — and admits transfer students into that program — or you may find yourself without purpose at your new school.
“It’s always important to consider ‘college fit’ when deciding whether to transfer to an institution,” Dr. Cavanaugh says.
Find out which college credits transfer
Determine if the school you’re considering accepts credits from other institutions and, if so, how many? If they don’t take a lot of the credits from your old school, you may have to retake courses, which would take time, and, of course, money. This could also affect your financial aid. Switay warns that if your schooling gets extended because your credits didn’t transfer, your scholarship could max out. Even if you are transferring to less expensive school, you again, might have to take more classes for credit. It might take longer to graduate, which means more tuition costs and student loans.
Think about location
It’s important to consider the location of the school you’re thinking of transferring to. The environment can have a major impact on your experience. If you tend to get homesick easily, transferring to a school across the country might not be the best idea. If you’re not a fan of cities, then you probably only want to look at schools in the suburbs or rural areas.
Consider school size
Transferring from a big university to a small college, and vice versa, can be a major adjustment, too. Dr. Cavanaugh advises potential transfer students tour the school they’re interested in and meet with an adviser on campus before making a decision.
Know the resources available to you
You want to check that an institution is transfer-friendly, Dr. Cavanaugh suggests. Confirm that there’s transfer student support, like advisers and accessible resources that help you select the right courses for your major and stay on track academically. A helpful transfer student orientation is key, too.
Know the transfer student admission requirements
On their websites, colleges and universities likely have a list of requirements for prospective transfer students. It’s likely under a section titled “Undergraduate Admissions,” or something similar. These requirements might include a minimum GPA, transcripts, certain test scores (like the SAT or ACT), competitive grades, or specific completed courses.
Is it easier to transfer into a school than to get in as an incoming freshman?
This is a super common question and a reason why many people who don’t get into their “dream school” opt to transfer in. The truth is... it actually is easier to transfer into a school than to get in as a high school senior — but only a tiny bit.
According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, in fall 2017, the average selectivity for college transfers was 62 percent, while it was 65 pecent for first-time freshman.
There is some reasoning behind this. Transfer students range a lot more than incoming freshman. Some of them come from the military, while some have already earned associate degrees. Even if you only completed one year at a four-year institution before transferring, there’s a good chance you were able to pad your resume with extracurriculars, research, and a good GPA, making for a more convincing application. “Most transfer-receiving institutions are looking at academic performance since graduating from high school,” Dr. Cavanaugh says. She notes that the most important factor is your college-level GPA, and the grades you received.
“If you’re transferring from state college to a four-year institution, it’s always advisable to complete an AA/AS [Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree] prior to transfer so that you obtain the degree and credentials to advance to the next level,” Dr. Cavanaugh suggests. “By completing the [Associate of Arts/Associate of Science], general education requirements are met, which may help you avoid taking extra and unnecessary classes when you get to a four-year institution, and provide a more seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree.”
Switay also points out that while incoming freshman usually apply to anywhere from 8 to 12 schools, on average, transfer students apply to no more than three. “Transfer students get involved in the kind of a pipeline of the school,” he explains. “They go to campus for open houses and really get on the school’s radar.” So while an incoming freshman may turn down an acceptance, a transfer is more likely to accept it, and colleges notice that. According to NACAC, 54 percent of transfer students enroll into the school they’re admitted to, compared to only 28 percent of incoming freshman.
At what point is it too late to transfer?
Switay stresses that a student should make the decision to transfer in their own time. “It can be after one semester. It could be after a year, it could be after two years,” he says. “It really just depends on what their students goals are and what they’re trying to achieve or wanting to achieve.”
Of course, the time frame for applications vary from school to school, so it’s crucial to look into application schedules. If you want to transfer after just one semester, you may have to make that decision by October of that year.
Also, most colleges require that a student complete at least 51 percent of their credits at that institution to graduate, Switay says. Dr. Cavanaugh refers to this minimum amount of credits as “residency requirements.” So, if you decide to transfer as a junior — or even a senior — be aware that you may have to retake classes in order to meet that requirement. This, of course, means spending extra semesters at school, and therefore, spending more money.
Do all colleges accept transfers?
Unfortunately, no, not all colleges accept transfers. Before you set your heart on one specific school, confirm that they accept transfer students. To check, go to the school’s website. There’s typically a page under their undergraduate admissions section that highlights requirements for transfer students. Or, call the university admissions office.
What do colleges look for in a transfer application?
Both Switay and Dr. Cavanaugh emphasize that when it comes to transfer applications, colleges definitely look at is GPA, so make sure you’re keeping your grades up at your current school. On the other hand, standardized test scores like the ACT and SAT aren’t as significant on transfer applications because most likely, you have done some things at your current college that say more about you as a student than a test you took potentially years ago.
“We’d rather see GPA, what classes you’re taking, and what you’re doing outside of the classroom as well,” Switay says. “Do you have a part time job? Are you active in different extra curricular activities? Do you have an internship or research position? All of those kind of pieces is what we look at more.”
“For transfers from a two-year institution to a four-year institution, most colleges focus on having the course program prerequisites and general education program requirements met,” Dr. Cavanaugh adds.
Does my GPA carry over when I transfer? What about credits?
This again, depends on the school. At TCNJ, where Switay works, the GPA starts over so the student can “start clean” at their new school. However, TCNJ does allow credits from other schools to transfer, up until a certain point.
“The maximum we would admit from a community college student here at TCNJ would be 64 credits,” Switay says. “If they’ve attended a four-year institution, it would be 80 credits.”
Every university is different though, and some may have your GPA transfer with you or may allow you to transfer over more or less credits.
Does my scholarship transfer?
It depends on the scholarship and the school. If your scholarship comes from a company or outside affiliate, those may transfer, Switay says. Look into the details of your scholarship because there is most likely information there about its transfer ability.
On the other hand, if you have a merit scholarship or another scholarship from the school you are currently attending, that probably won’t transfer.
Are there application fees for a transfer application?
Just like a normal college application, there are fees for a transfer app. That being said, there are ways to get those fees waived. Switay suggests visiting the NACAC website, which has options for application fee scholarships and are applicable to most institutions in the US. There is also a fee waiver for the Common App, so definitely look into that as well.
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