Apply as a Transfer Student (2024)

FAQs

Is applying as a transfer student harder? ›

It's important to understand that the transfer admission process is often much more selective than the undergraduate process — especially at universities where gaining admission is already very difficult. According to NACAC, on average, transfer admission rates were slightly lower than that of first-year students.

Welcome to Common App for transfer

With one application, you can apply to multiple college programs. Common App for transfer supports: Students transferring from community colleges. Students transferring from 4-year colleges.

Students who have taken college coursework that is counting towards their high school graduation should apply as first-year applicants. This includes students pursuing an associate's degree while finishing high school.

What Is a Transfer Student? A transfer student is a student who started their academic career and earned credits at one university and then decides to transfer to a different school to complete their education. Most of the time–but not always–students choose to transfer during their sophom*ore or junior year.

Among big-name schools, the University of California, Los Angeles, is one of the most transfer-friendly. The UCLA transfer acceptance rate was 19% in 2021, compared to the university's first-year acceptance rate of just 11% during the same period.

Academic Preparation

The average GPA of admitted transfer students is above 3.5 and admitted students have completed most or all major preparatory courses. We give highest priority to applicants from California community colleges and other UC campuses.

Whether a student is applying again as a transfer student or after taking a gap year, the process is similar to regular admissions. Students need to apply through the school's website, demonstrate strong academic credentials and provide solid letters of recommendation.

If you are in the process of transferring colleges, it's likely that you will have to write a personal essay as part of your transfer admissions process. Ultimately, there's no one way to write a college transfer essay. Everyone is unique, and this individuality should shine through in your essays.

Thankfully, new laws passed over the last two years have banned transcript withholding in eleven states: New York, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Washington, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut and Oregon. Nine more states have considered bans, but have yet to pass proposed laws.

What year of college is best to transfer? ›

Likewise, for students already enrolled in a four-year university who want to transfer to a different one, between your sophom*ore and junior year is generally an ideal time to transfer. You have completed most of your general education requirements and can focus on your major.

Colleges usually have a policy that you will no longer be considered for admission, expelled, or have your degree revoked if you omit previous colleges from your application. A common question is, "How can a school find out?" The common answers are through financial aid and the National Student Clearinghouse.

Is It Harder to Get Into College As a Transfer Student? At most highly selective universities, the transfer admission rate is lower than the overall admission rate for high school applicants. There are, however, exceptions.

Transfer Students' Performance

Four-year college administrators say that roughly a quarter of transfer students perform better than their native students, while about half perform as well.

In general, a transfer student begins their college academic career at one institution, earns some credits through the completion of coursework, and then decides for whatever reason to transfer to a different school to finish their education.

FIT accepts 56.02% transfer applicants, which is competitive. To have a shot at transferring into FIT, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.3 - ideally you're GPA will be around 3.43. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores.

Adapting to a new academic environment as a transfer student can be challenging. The change in academic rigor and course offerings may feel overwhelming. However, it's essential to view these challenges as opportunities for growth.

Ultimately, your financial aid package can change when you transfer schools, but that doesn't mean you'll necessarily receive less financial aid and you might even receive more aid.

college admissions, especially transfer admissions, are so unpredictable. for each accepted applicant there is an equally qualified student who got denied.