Chances are you or someone you know have thought about transferring colleges. If so, you (or they) have probably asked yourself—and others—questions like “Should I transfer colleges?”, “How do I transfer colleges?”, and “Do community college grades transfer to university?”
Let’s start by unpacking the first question—‘Should I transfer colleges?’—by discussing the different reasons a student might consider transferring schools.
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(click to skip ahead)Why do students transfer colleges?
Students transfer colleges for a variety of reasons, ranging from common reasons such as affordability to uncommon reasons caused by unexpected life circumstances. Because there are an endless number of reasons students switch colleges, transfers can happen at any time—before you start your first day of classes, halfway through completing your major, or even in your final year of college.
While we can’t list off every reason a student has transferred, we can provide you with some of the most frequent reasons students transfer:
Money/Finances
Financial situations can rapidly change, sometimes creating significant financial instability. Room, board, tuition, unexpected costs, and life events can put a heavy burden on you and your family, which is why affordability is a common reason students transfer.
If you are looking for a more affordable university, there are several factors to consider when determining where you should transfer to: public vs. private institutions, comprehensive financial aid packages, need-based vs. non need-based universities, and in-state vs. out-of-state tuition.
Upward Transfer
The goal of many community college students—about 80%—is to eventually transfer and complete their bachelor's degree at a four-year institution, which is what is commonly known as upward transfer. Nearly 33% of all undergraduate students in the 2020-2021 school year attended community college.
Another type of upward transfer is students transferring from one four-year institution to another, more prestigious four-year institution. Doing this allows students to complete their core courses while also improving their GPA before applying to more competitive universities.
Please note that as a general rule, we’re wary of simply using rankings to determine where to apply or attend. See that section of our Handbook for more, but essentially, rankings aren’t necessarily a great way to understand whether you and a particular school fit together well.
Campus Life and Location
Students also transfer if the college campus, social life, and location are not the right fit for them. All of these things combined can make a university feel like the wrong environment for you, especially if you may be feeling homesick, feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by the college size, or experiencing f.o.m.o. looking through your friends’ social media. (Side note: social media is not a great representation of reality…)
You might find that sense of belonging at a different institution. If you’re missing that big city feeling, you might consider transferring to a university in a major city and if you’re looking for a school with more (or less—it’s totally fine to want less, despite social pressures) of a party life, then take some time to look at a school’s Greek life and decide if it fits with what you want.
Degree Availability
It’s common for undergraduates to enter college without declaring a major. According to the U.S. News & World Report, once a major is declared, up to one third of students change their major. If you’re one of the many students switching majors, you might find that the major you want to complete isn’t offered at your current university.
If you are unable to find a similar major at your college, then you might consider researching institutions that do offer the major you’re interested in.
Academic Rigor
College courses are challenging and sometimes you might find yourself with a lot more on your plate than you think you can handle. If you find yourself struggling academically, you’re probably already thinking about the different ways in which you can improve your situation. Transferring institutions might be one way to help with your current situation.
A new university might be able to offer you smaller class sizes, more direct contact with faculty, individual tutoring, and a new environment, which can all help support you academically.
Different types of transfer students
So, what type of transfer student are you? This depends on your situation, but you are probably one of these five general types of transfer students:
Community College Transfer Student
Community college transfer students make up the largest portion of college transfers. These are students who have attended a community college and are planning on finishing their degrees at a four-year institution.
Four-Year University Transfer Student
Another common type of transfer student is the four-year university transfer student. These students transfer from one four-year institution to another four-year institution.
Military Transfer Student
If you’re a veteran and attending college, you’d be considered a military transfer student. As a military transfer student, you might be familiar with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which explains the eligibility and benefits available to you.
International Transfer Student
Thinking about transferring into a university that’s in a different country? You’ll apply as an international transfer student if you are hoping to transfer to a college located in a different country.
Nontraditional Transfer Student
A “nontraditional” transfer student is a student that doesn’t follow one of the typical transfer paths. You might identify as this type of transfer student because of several different scenarios. Life happens—being a nontraditional transfer student encompasses that.
Step-by-step guide on how to transfer colleges
If you’re set on changing colleges, keep these transfer tips in mind as you familiarize yourself with the process of transferring schools. Here are the steps for how to transfer colleges:
1. Create a List of the Reasons you want to Transfer
It’s important for you to know what you do and do not like at your current university (these factors and details will play into how you write your transfer essay/s). Jot down everything that comes to mind—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Try to be as thorough and specific as possible. Think college size, Greek life, classroom atmosphere, major availability, research opportunities, affordability, distance from home, and more. If you have deal-breakers, include those in your list as well.
2. Research Potential Universities
Once you’ve clearly identified what you want out of and need from your new university, it’s time to research potential colleges. But, how do you choose a college? Use your list of reasons to transfer as a guide when deciding which institutions you’re interested in applying to. Not sure where to start looking? Have conversations with family, friends, or even your current academic advisor. If you’re transferring from a community college, take a look at the College Transfer Database.
3. Schedule a meeting with your current Academic Advisor or Counselor
While this may seem awkward to do, your academic advisor should be familiar with the transfer process and be able to explain how transferring colleges work. They’ll be able to direct you to the appropriate offices to talk with, as well as provide possible recommendations for, institutions that more-closely align with what you are looking for. You might even consider sharing your list of potential institutions with them! (Seriously. Supporting you is their primary goal.)
4. Narrow down your School List
After you’ve talked with your academic advisor, it’s time to narrow down your list of potential universities. Using what you’ve learned talking with your current counselor, schedule an in-person or virtual campus tour, connect and talk with your potential schools’ academic advisors (explain why you are transferring, what you are looking for, and if there is an articulation agreement between your current school and your potential school), sit in classes, talk with current students, and do whatever else you need to do to see if your potential institutions fit your criteria.
5. Double-Check Credit Transferability
Take time to double-check which of your credits will transfer to each potential institution. This can impact how affordable and feasible each of your potential universities will be. One way to do this is by sending your current college transcript to the potential colleges. Creating an Excel spreadsheet (or a Google doc sheet works just as well) can help you keep track of which credits will transfer where. Keep in mind that if none of your credits transfer, you’ll have to take those credits at your new university.
6. Review the Logistics
Once you’ve completed your research, talked with your academic advisor, narrowed down your school list, and double-checked which credits will transfer, it’s time to take a holistic look at everything. Review your financial aid package, expected graduation year, campus atmosphere you’ll be experiencing, and other needs you’ve identified in your List of Reasons you want to Transfer. Once you’ve reviewed everything, decide which institution(s) are practical for you.
7. Prepare your Transfer Application
If you’re a Common App transfer, there are four sections—personal information, academic history, supporting information, and program materials—you’ll need to complete for the Common App Transfer portal. As part of these four sections, you’ll be asked to submit things like this:
Personal information
Demographic info, including things like ethnicity, gender identity, etc.
Academic history
Info about high school
Courses completed in college
(sometimes) standardized test scores (ACTs, SATs, APs, IBs)
Supporting information
“Experiences” = not quite the same as your Common App Activities List, but that can be a starting point.
To whatever degree possible, mostly focus on things that have happened since high school (unless high school activities directly relate to your current plans and pursuits, like you were in 4H and you’re transferring to a college with a stronger Agriculture program).
Program materials
These will tend to be school-specific essays, similar to the supplemental essays you may have completed during your initial application.
Be sure to check the “Documents” tab, where you will find a list of what each school you’re applying to requires (like college transcripts or professor recommendations).
Also check the “Questions” tab, since some schools list essay prompts there. (Important reminder that, sadly, schools don’t standardize this process.)
Common App Transfer essays
In addition to (or maybe instead of) possible school-specific essays, many schools will require a college transfer essay (that guide will walk you through how to write one). These are a bit different from the personal statement you may have written when you first applied to college: college transfer essays are a bit more like “Why Us?” essays that many colleges ask first-year applicants to write. In addition to showing some of who you are and what you value, you’ll want to show why you and your possible new school fit together.
8. Submit your Application and breathe!
Once you submit your application, take time for yourself to breathe—you’ve already finished the hardest part of the transfer application process. As you start to hear back from institutions, be sure to send them any additional documents, deposits, and forms they ask you to complete.
Transferring Colleges FAQ:
When is the deadline to transfer colleges?
The spring transfer deadline usually starts early March and runs until mid-March. Keep in mind that each institution has their own deadline, which may or may not coincide with the March deadline. If you’re having trouble keeping track of all of your approaching deadlines, you might find a spreadsheet with your deadlines helpful.
Do many students transfer colleges?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 1,229,724 transfer students enrolled in universities in the Fall of 2021. This accounts for about 6% of the estimated 19.4 million students attending a college or university in the US.
When can you transfer colleges?
Can you transfer colleges mid-year? Yes and no. You can start the transfer process at any point in the year, but colleges may or may not accept transfer students all year round, which is why it is important to know when they begin accepting transfer applications.
Do community college grades transfer to university?
Yes, some community college grades transfer to university. But not all. You’ll have to check which of your credits will transfer with each school. You can check the US Community College Transfer Policy Database for more information.
Can you be enrolled in two colleges at once?
Dual enrollment, also referred to as co-enrollment or concurrent enrollment, is the ability to be enrolled in two colleges at once. This type of enrollment generally occurs when a student is enrolled in a community college and a four-year college. The goal of dual enrollment is to be able to complete courses at one college and then transfer them to a different college. Although attending two colleges at once can be difficult, dual enrollment can be cost-effective, allow for a more flexible course schedule, and provide you with more class options.
Special thanks to Kaila for writing this post.
Kaila Barber (she/her) attended the University of Notre Dame, where she pursued her passion for science, as well as competed as a collegiate hurdler. She completed a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society, a B.S. in PreProfessional Science, and a M.S. in Global Health. Now she serves as a member on CEG’s Quality Control, Essay Review, Workshop, and one-on-one coaching team. Kaila loves gardening, watching anime, and reading mystery novels.
Top Values: Adventure, Growth, Patience
