8 Tips for Transferring

Transferring is a common trend in higher education today. A transfer student is someone who has graduated from high school or obtained a GED, has earned college credits, and wants to switch institutions. There are many reasons for a student to transfer, including graduating from a community college with interest in earning a bachelor's degree; attending an institution that better fits financial, academic, social, or career goals; or needing a fresh start.

Because the process of transferring is slightly different than applying to college as a high school student, you may have some questions about the admissions process. To navigate this step well, here are our tips for transferring:

1. Honestly Evaluate

If you currently attend a four-year institution, evaluate why you believe your current institution is not the right fit for you. Speak with the career development office, your advisor, the financial aid office, your resident director, or others at your institution to discuss steps you may take to improve your current situation. Make sure you take advantage of opportunities available to you where you already attend. Ultimately, you may still decide that your current institution is not the right fit for you—and that's okay!

Keep in mind as well, that while you can often apply to transfer to a college that originally rejected you, if not a lot has changed in terms of your grades, the college's acceptance rate, or other factors, the answer is frequently the same. Check with each school for their policy on re-applying.

2. Mark Your Deadlines

Once you make the decision to transfer, begin researching your next steps. Most colleges have a separate timeline for transfer applicants, so note the admissions deadline specific to transfer students. Be aware that this deadline can vary from school to school. The earlier you begin this process and mark your deadlines, the more likely it is that you won't have to repeat classes or duplicate work later.

3. Understand Application Requirements

Transfer applications are similar to what high school seniors submit to four-year colleges. Admissions committees consider college and high school transcripts, and may require an essay (often about why you want to transfer), activities list, recommendations, test scores, interview, or other information. While the focus of a transfer application is on college-level work, if you're applying during your first year of college, your high school record may hold more weight. (And if you've been out of high school for a long time, it may be less important.) Each college's website notes requirements and deadlines; some also note the minimum GPA to be considered for transfer admission.

4. Apply for Financial Aid

Many schools have financial aid funds set aside for transfer students, so make sure you put yourself in the running for all available funds by applying—and do so on time. Some colleges offer transfer scholarships and merit-based aid to qualified applicants.

5. Notify Your Student Loan Lender

If you have student loans, be sure to contact your student loan lender and notify them that you are transferring colleges. You want to confirm that your loans will not enter repayment when you transfer schools. Find out more about this process here.

6. Find Out Which of Your Class Credits Will Be Accepted

Check in with the admissions staff at each college to find out how many of your current class credits will be accepted within the academic program at your potential new school. There's a program called MassTransfer that helps the transition of credits from Massachusetts community colleges to public institutions in the Commonwealth, so research that option if you're transferring from a Massachusetts two-year school.

7. Understand Your Living Options

Some colleges set aside housing for transfer students, and some do not. Find out what is available and plan to live on campus at your new school if possible. It will allow you to easily meet more students and get immersed in the campus community.

8. Learn about Support Offered

Research whether the institution(s) you are applying to offer transition programs, open houses, or orientations for transfer students, especially if you are transferring mid-year. Find out how many transfer applicants apply each year and how many are accepted. Use this information to gauge how smooth your transition may be to a new institution and take advantage of any resources offered to prospective students.

Transferring is a common practice and may be the right choice for you. For more information on transferring, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has assembled some valuable resources here. And if you have any questions about transferring schools, please reach out to us here at MEFA at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or collegeplanning@mefa.org.