Transfer Admission Requirements (2024)

FAQs

How do you answer the why transfer question? ›

Simply saying your current school isn't a good fit probably won't work. Your prospective college will want to know that you've put thought into this and are sure about why you want to make the change. That means explaining why you want to transfer and how you see the school you're applying to will be better for you.

According to NACAC, GPA and grades at students' current college or university are most important to schools when evaluating transfer applications. Students need to be doing well in their current courses in order to have the best chance of admission at their top-choice transfer schools.

According to NACAC's 2019 State of College Admission report, the average admit rate for transfer students was 61% compared to 66% for freshmen. This means your grades will play an even more important role in the viability of your transfer application than they did the last time you applied.

Whether a student is applying again as a transfer student or after taking a gap year, the process is similar to regular admissions. Receiving a college application rejection can be a tough pill to swallow. But for students determined to attend a specific school, all hope may not be lost.

Common application colleges tend to have higher transfer requirements, with some requiring a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA to transfer, with some program-specific requirements being even higher.

Some factors are more easily quantifiable than others. Good preparation and a strong academic performance make you a more competitive candidate during the admission review process. The average GPA of admitted transfer students is above 3.5 and admitted students have completed most or all major prep courses.

You might have heard that it's difficult to get into college as a transfer student. That can be true for some of the private and prestigious universities, like Ivy League schools. But there are other colleges that accept more transfer students than they do incoming freshmen each year.

Which colleges are easiest to transfer to? ›

They want to see a demonstrated effort to do well and commitment to a program, as well as a plan for how your new school will help you achieve your goals. A strong transfer application will look much like a strong freshman application, but with letters of recommendation and grades from college instead of high school.

Transferring to a different university can be a stressful process. The transfer essay, which is usually 500-words, is one of the most important features of your transfer application. The essay is your chance to show an admissions officer their school is the right fit for you.

Consider the timing of your transfer.

If you try transferring during freshman year, the only real grades you have will be from high school, and those senior-year grades will matter—a lot. If you finished high school on a high note, then, by all means, aim to transfer earlier.

Explain how the change aligns with your long-term objectives. For example, if you are looking for more growth opportunities, explain how the new role or company provides a path that's better aligned with your career aspirations. Also, talk about what you are looking forward to in the new role.

There are many possible reasons for the request, such as: The desire to work for a different department within the same company. A personal desire to move to another city for reasons such as an illness in the family, a job opportunity for your spouse or an educational opportunity.

Provide Specific Details and Examples

Instead, refer to specific details that explain why you want to attend that particular school. For example, you could make note of unique programs that stand out to you, your interest in research opportunities, or a desire to take classes from a certain professor.