4 Tips for Transfer Students

If you’re planning to transfer colleges, you’re not alone. Close to a quarter of American college students who start at a four-year institution transfer at some point.

At International College Counselors, we know how important it is for students to like the school they attend. For students considering a transfer, here are some tips:

Transfer students really need to consider why they don’t like their current school.  Only by doing this will you be able to evaluate new colleges.  Furthermore, it makes writing the transfer essay easier.  Some top reasons students transfer to a new college include social circumstances, switching majors, they need more or less academic challenge, and they want to be closer to family.  

Make sure the college you plan to apply to meets your needs. Read college websites, visit the school, see if you can communicate with current students to discuss their experiences, and-or meet with a college advisor who can give you more insight. Keep in mind that colleges don’t all offer the same majors, nor do similar majors always have the same name or requirements. You want your new university to best serve your educational goals.

Every school has its own transfer policy. This policy can usually be found on the institution’s website. Carefully note the deadlines for submitting the application, essays, letters of recommendation, scholarship applications, and more. Deadlines may differ from school to school. 

Also read the school’s policy on accepting credits.  This will tell you if you can transfer some or all of your credits and-or credit from exams. Before you transfer, you want to consider the time and money you may need to spend on extra classes and semesters to make up for any credits you lost in the transfer.

Some colleges won’t accept credits if you are changing majors, but others allow you to transfer these credits towards elective courses. Some schools won’t accept credits from courses in which you earned a grade lower than a C.

Keep in mind, some colleges require that students earn a specific amount of credits (sometimes up to two years’ worth) at their current university before transferring, meaning that you may have  to wait another semester or two before transferring.

If you have any questions about a school’s transfer policy and you’re not working with one of our advisors, contact the school for the answers.

Do not copy and paste old college application material when you transfer. Now that you’ve attended some college, colleges expect you to demonstrate a new perspective, new experience, and new insights. The transfer essay should show maturity and growth. This essay also must explain your reasons for wanting to transfer.

Don’t write negatively about your current school. Don’t submit a laundry list of complaints about your roommate or a professor. Instead, speak about your goals and about what you want out of a university experience. For example, you can say your current school doesn’t have a program you want to pursue that the potential college does have. You can say you’ve made the best of your current situation. Also, show the college you did thorough research to ensure you are now making the best decision regarding the future of your education.