Enrolling and Transferring

It sometimes happens that the school where a student enrolls right after high school is not a good fit. There are many reasons why this could be the case, and an important decision then needs to be made – the decision of whether or not to leave and enroll at a different college. If a student does decide to switch schools, this process is called transferring.

Deciding to transfer is a very important decision to make during your college career. If you are thinking about transferring, here is some information you should know to get started on the process.

Why Transfer?

Students decide to transfer for various reasons. If you are thinking about transferring, you need to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Don’t transfer to a different school just because you don’t like your current roommate. You need to have a valid reason for transferring such as:

You want to move from a two-year college to a four-year college.
You want to switch to a major that your current school doesn’t offer
You need to switch colleges to accommodate changing financial needs.

If you think you have a justifiable reason for changing schools, discuss it with your parents or advisor to see if they think it’s a valid reason. You don’t want to go through the hassle of transferring if you don’t have to.

When is the right time to transfer?

Knowing when to start the transfer process is vital. Ideally, you should begin the application process at least two semesters before you intend to transfer. Some schools will only take transfers for fall semester, while others will alter their acceptance rates based on fluctuations in enrollment. You should talk to a transfer counselor at the school you are currently attending and make contact with the admissions office of the school you would like to attend so you can research all requirements thoroughly.

Choosing a Transfer School

Depending on your reasons for transferring, you need to figure out what school you want to transfer to. Consider why you are transferring in the first place and that should help you narrow down your choices. Once you have a list of possible schools, you need to visit the campuses in order to make an educated decision.

Transferring Credits

Some credits may not be transferable. If you are transferring from a two-year school to a four-year school, you may be required to retake courses that you have already completed at the community college. Furthermore, some schools require you to complete a minimum number of credits at your new school before you can graduate. This may delay your graduation date. If you have any questions about transferring credits, contact the admissions counselor at the school you are transferring to.

Does my GPA transfer to my new school?

Keep in mind that credits transfer, grades do not. There is usually a requirement to have a certain minimum grade point average (GPA) in order to transfer; however, the GPA earned at one institution does not affect the GPA at another.

Applying

After you have weighed the pros and cons of transferring, have picked a transfer school, and know all the requirements involved, then and only then should you submit your transfer application. If required, be sure to send transcripts, admissions test scores, letters of recommendation, and the college essay or portfolio. Remember to proofread your entire application carefully to avoid careless errors or mistakes.

Because the circumstances for each transfer student are different, it is imperative that you stay involved and remain focused throughout the entire process. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at .