How to Transfer Colleges: 7 Critical Tips for Transfer Students

You may be surprised to learn that nearly a quarter of American college students who start at one four-year institution will transfer to a different one to finish their degree. Some students may acquire their associate’s degree at a community college before transferring to a university for two more years. Others may decide that where they started college wasn’t quite the right fit. Still others may be conditionally admitted to four-year institutions through alternative avenues like guaranteed transfer pathways. So if your student is thinking of transferring colleges, they’re far from alone on considering how to transfer colleges.

At International College Counselors, we know how important it is for students to like—and be a good fit for—the school they attend. No matter where students find themselves in their college journeys, our advisors are here to help navigate the search and application process to ensure that students enroll at an institution where they can truly thrive.

Jon Megerian, Director of College Advising at International College Counselors, sat on the transfer committee at Brandeis University, where he evaluated files and rendered admissions decisions. With his firm grounding in the process and the evaluative criteria, the transfer students he has worked with have received offers from Boston University, Brown University, Cornell University, Emory University, the University of Michigan, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Tufts University, the University of Southern California, Vassar, Vanderbilt University, Wesleyan University, William and Mary, and more.

Here, he shares advice for students considering a college transfer.

1.  Be strategic about when you apply.

While many students may wish to transfer after one semester, they should be aware that many schools do not offer spring admissions, and those that do typically take far fewer students in the spring than in the fall. Furthermore, colleges tend to prefer applicants who apply during their sophomore year—they have a lengthier college record upon which they can be evaluated.

Another consideration is the strength of a student’s high school grades. The greater the proximity to high school, the more weight colleges will place on the high school grades and curriculum. So if a student’s high school grades and courses are strong, they might have good results applying to transfer in freshman year. If grades and classes are not as strong, students should consider waiting until sophomore year to put some distance between themselves and their old transcript.

2.  College grades and classes matter.

Successful transfer applicants are doing very well in their current academic environment and taking challenging classes relevant to their intended major. Students can make themselves more appealing by finishing their general education requirements or foundational classes within their major. They should prioritize academic performance, especially if attempting to transfer to a more competitive college. It’s vital to demonstrate the ability to thrive in challenging environments that demand independence and motivation.

3.  Extracurriculars matter less when transferring colleges, but they still matter.

Colleges place less weight on extracurricular activities in the transfer process, but they still play a role. If a student is planning to transfer, they should involve themselves in campus life, community service, and/or research relevant to their major. Demonstrating a robust engagement with an intended field of academic concentration is a more important criterion in transfer admissions than in first year admissions.

4.  The applications are challenging, so start early. 

Transfer applications are much longer than first-year applications. Many schools use the Common App for transfers, but it’s important to note that the application is completely different from the first-year application. These applications require a lot of writing and bureaucratic work. For example, the character limit for the extracurricular section is significantly longer, and appicants must coordinate with various third parties to ensure timely submission of various required forms, reports, and transcripts. Each school may also have long supplemental applications that require unique, lengthy pieces of writing. Additionally, a considerable number of schools that use the Common App for first-year admissions do not use them in transfers admissions. Columbia, for example, requires transfer students to use the Coalition App, and Wake Forest requires the applicant to use their own application.

5.  Writing strong essays is essential.

Transfer essays vary from school to school but typically cluster around a core group of questions. Admission committees often want to know why a student is dissatisfied with their present academic experience, why they think transferring in general will rectify these problems, and why their school in particular will allow them to thrive. The latter requires detailed research into each school, while the former two require students to identify educational goals that are well-considered and mature. A student may want to transfer to a “better school,” but this is not something they should spotlight in their essays! ICC counselors can help identify more compelling reasons to explore.

Also remember, when crafting a transfer essay, avoid any negative comments about the current school. Instead, the focus should be on highlighting the positive aspects of the experience while clearly explaining why the new institution is a better fit for academic goals and aspirations.

6.  Build a robust list.

Transfer admission exists to fill what colleges call “melt:” spaces that open up in their undergraduate roster due to students dropping out, transferring, switching majors, studying abroad, under-enrollment, or new financial and/or demographic priorities. Selectivity is less easy to predict than it is in first-year admissions, so applying widely is critical to maximizing your options. That said, it’s possible to identify some schools as, broadly speaking, “transfer friendly” or, conversely, “transfer averse.” ICC’s transfer specialists draw on collections of data and statistics to identify good fits and build smart lists.

7.  Craft a Strategic Transfer Plan.

There is no standard rule about what and when a student needs to transfer. Some schools may have a minimum or maximum credit threshold. Others may require transfer in the first year only. Certain universities may require the fulfillment of a slate of subject distributions. Guaranteed transfer programs will typically dictate their own unique parameters. In all cases, there is generally little flexibility, so students should carefully read the transfer websites of each school they are considering.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

No matter where your family is in the college admissions process, International College Counselors can help you with every aspect, including honing the college list, fine-tuning college applications, writing admission essays, and managing college transfers. The expert team at International College Counselors includes former college admission officers, high school directors and counselors, and writing professionals with a combined 250+ years of experience, helping students and families successfully navigate the college application journey. For personalized guidance, contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or email Marlene at [email protected].