How to Transfer Colleges (and If You Should)

Choosing the right school for you can be difficult. Not only is the decision made while you’re still quite young, but it can also be heavily influenced by external factors that end up not aligning with what you want. Take it from someone who’s been there.

In fact, about one-third of college students transfer schools at some point before finishing their degree. And total transfers accounted for more than 13% of all continuing and returning undergraduates last year.

This article describes the top reasons students choose to transfer, how to determine when the time is right, and what to do to prepare for success at a new school.

There are several reasons that prompt students to consider transferring schools. While many new transfers tend to be students from community colleges, a change in circumstance can make a student already at a four-year university question whether they made the right choice. Here is a list of the top reasons why students choose to transfer schools.

• Transfer to a four-year university after community college.
• Dealing with ongoing impacts from Covid-19.
• Lack of social engagement.
• Poor alignment with the school environment.
• Change of majors.
• Interest in the prestige and recognition of another school.
• Poor academic performance.
• Change in financial situation.
• New opportunities for student athletes.
• Going back to school to finish a degree after a life change.

Regardless of why you want to transfer schools, it’s important to make an informed decision. This means taking time to think about what you are experiencing. And if you’re on the fence about it, get someone else’s take on the matter.

Of course, I can’t advise you on what’s best for you here, but there’s something to be said for listening to your instincts and recognizing what will make you happy. If it helps, you can also create a pros and cons list to help clarify your educational goals, values, and interests.

Once you know why you want to move, you need to determine where you want to be! More importantly, which school will meet your personal and financial needs while also offering the academic program you are interested in?

This research will require more than just browsing college websites. You’ll also want to talk to people at the school you’re interested in and possibly attend a few events to get a full picture of what the school has to offer. Use these questions as a starting point when doing your research:

• Is my major offered?
• Will my existing course credits transfer?
• Where is the new college?
• Are scholarships available for transfer students?
• As a transfer student, how long will it take to graduate?
• Are there academic barriers to transferring that I might encounter?
• What opportunities are available to meet my social/academic/other needs?

It will be much easier to create a strategic approach to your search if you are able to answer these questions. Doing so will further clarify your educational goals, values ​​and interests and help give you direction. Now, you can start drawing the details of your design.

Related: Does it matter what college you go to?

Anything you consider important to your college experience is worth considering in your search for a new school. But you should pay close attention to your program of interest, admissions requirements, and transfer credit policies.

Find the program of your interestt: Make sure the schools on your list offer the academic programs that align with your major and career interests. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, and overall credibility of the program. Most colleges are known for their strengths in a few specialized areas, which could benefit your transfer.

Check the admission requirements: Familiarize yourself with the admissions requirements of each college on your list and pay close attention to any prerequisites listed for the program you want.

Know the Transfer Credit Policies: Approval of transfer credits is always at the discretion of the registrar, which means that each school has its own policies for approving transfer credits. While some schools limit the number of credits you can transfer, others have an articulation agreement with neighboring schools, often in the same state.

Related: How to make a college list: Finding academic and financial aptitude

When possible, I always advise students to take a personal tour of any school they are considering. Why; Because no virtual experience can match that of standing on a college campus and observing first-hand the small nuances of daily life as a student.

Get a first impression: A campus visit is your first opportunity for first impressions. Walk around, sit in a class, explore the dorms, or find the recreation center. This is the time to take in all that the school has to offer and think about the overall atmosphere of the campus.

Chat with current students: Interacting with current students is one of the best ways to get a sense of whether a future at this school is right for you. Current students have first-hand experience in the faculty, in the classroom, in internship opportunities, and even at campus or community events. They are also more likely to give you honest input!

Explore Campus Resources: Most schools now have offices dedicated to academic advising, careers services and general student support. It’s worth stopping by to find contact information if you have questions later. And don’t forget to explore other options for getting involved in campus life, like student government, Greek life, or recreational sports!

Timing plays an important role in the transfer process and affects everything from academic progress to financial aid. While choosing to transfer is an entirely personal decision, there may be differences in results based on when you transfer.

If there was a “right” time to transfer colleges, I’d say it would be anytime before senior year and preferably at the end of a full academic year.

Transfer before senior year may be more efficient due to transfer credit policies. More selective schools often place limits on credit transfers to prevent students from transferring in time to graduate with a coveted university name on their diploma. So, if you’re closer to graduation, transferring could add significant time to completing your degree.

Also, transferring mid-year can have unexpected consequences on your current financial situation, causing you to miss a tuition payment, break a housing lease, or run out of new opportunities for financial aid, as school scholarships are usually aligned with the academic year.

Review the support services available for transfer students at your new school and work with an admissions officer to establish key dates in the process. Working with someone will not only help align your transfer date with class, tuition, and scholarship cycles, but will also ensure you meet all necessary college application deadlines.

Moving to a new college can be both fun and scary. Whether you’re moving from a small school to a large school or from a local college to a faraway university, there are a number of ways to ease the transition to life on a new campus.

First of all, if you haven’t toured your new campus yet, schedule some time to walk around and spend the day checking things out. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the campus layout before classes begin. You may even want to memorize a few routes between your classes to reduce stress in your first few weeks.

Another option is to attend a transfer orientation. Like freshman orientation, colleges have a special orientation to introduce new students to each other off campus. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but every other student in attendance is in your shoes.

Being involved on campus is another great way to meet like-minded students and bring enriching moments to your college experience. Most importantly, give yourself space to get to know your surroundings and remember that it may take time to adjust to your new campus.

Navigating the transfer process may take a few months, but the more you invest, the more you’ll get out of it. As you think about your next move, remember the importance of your personal, academic, and financial goals. That way, you’ll find the tools to make informed decisions and strategize about the timing of your transition to set yourself up for success.

As you enter this new chapter, remember that you are not alone! Transferring colleges is an opportunity to grow, explore and evolve further. And your college experience is unique only to you – celebrate how far you’ve come and look forward to future experiences.