A former USC admissions counselor once explained why she liked reading transfer applications: each had a unique journey and experience to share. Some were predictable and straightforward stories of students who had attended their local community college and, after a year or two, decided it was time to transfer to a university. Other stories included students attending multiple colleges, switching their major numerous times, or even several career changes.
Whatever the impetus, choosing to transfer colleges can be a challenging decision to make, and it presents various obstacles, whether you are transferring from a community college to a 4-year university or from one university to another.
Although similar to applying as a freshman, applying as a transfer student comes with an entirely different set of rules and expectations. Whether your high school GPA and SAT/ACT score will be considered depends entirely on how many college credits you have and where you’re applying. Your college GPA clearly weighs heavily into the equation, as well, and a lot of colleges won’t even consider transfer applicants with low GPAs (the definition of “low,” of course, varies by school).
Most importantly, though, colleges expect you to be significantly more focused on and committed to specific academic and career goals than when you applied as a freshman.
You need to be able to very clearly explain why you wish to transfer. The answer will never be to speak ill of the school you are leaving — rather, detail exactly what this new potential college offers that is worthy of such a drastic life change. The most ideal transfer applicants are those who have flourished at their current schools — both inside and outside the classroom, and on campus as well as off — but are looking for one that is more compatible with their interests and offers greater opportunities. The least ideal applicants are (or appear to be) simply looking for a fresh start, academically or socially.
If you’re considering transferring to a 4-year institution, now or in the future, it’s important to keep in mind a few tips to be successful in the admission process:
Look at the data
Depending on the schools that you’re considering applying to, some institutions are more difficult to get into than others. It’s important to be aware of the university’s transfer acceptance rate, as it can be very different from the freshman acceptance rate. If you’re considering applying to an Ivy League university, they typically only accept a dozen or so students out of the thousands of applications they receive. whereas other schools actually have a higher acceptance rate for transfer students than first-year (high school) applicants. You can typically find this information by going on the school’s admission website or doing a quick Google search.
Take the required (and recommended) courses for admission
The courses that you’ve taken are critical in the admission process. When the admissions committee reviews your transcript, they’ll use it as a tool to assess what type of student you are and how well they think you’ll do at their institution. It’s a good idea to make sure that you are, at the very least, meeting the minimum requirements for admission; keep in mind that it may take a couple of semesters to complete a particular requirement. For example, a school may require Calculus for admission, but you’re currently enrolled in a remedial math class. It may take you up to a year before being able to enroll in Calculus. It’s also important to be mindful of any recommended or required courses for admission based on your intended major. For example, many top business schools require students to take Calculus for admission to business or accounting programs. It’s crucial to know what’s required for your intended major ASAP, as it may take a few semesters to complete the required and/or recommended coursework.
Earn strong grades
Before anything else, you need to determine whether your current statistics (GPA, credits, etc.) are strong enough to even warrant consideration from your transfer schools of choice.
You should be aware of the average admitted transfer student GPA at the universities that you’re applying to so that you know what GPA to aim for each quarter/semester. If you’re nowhere near the average GPA, you have to be honest with yourself and set realistic expectations for your chances of admission. Although GPA isn’t the only factor that’s taken into consideration for admission, it is imperative and typically heavily considered when evaluating you as an applicant. If you aren’t meeting (or close to) their average GPA, the admissions committee might not feel confident in admitting you to their school if you haven’t proven that you’re able to perform at the level of other admitted students. If this is the case, the next step is to better understand what you can do to improve your chances in the coming months, as well as when you should apply.
Maintain full-time enrollment (whenever possible)
Taking about four classes each semester or quarter will show the institution that you can handle full-time college coursework and are prepared to attend their university as a full student. Universities care about enrollment status and graduation rates because it’s an indicator of how well the institution is serving its students. Schools with high graduation rates want to ensure that when they offer admission to their new incoming class of students, those students will have a positive impact on their rankings, reputation, etc.If you are a part-time student or have had gaps in your education history due to personal reasons, you should explain this in your personal statement or the additional information section so that the reader better understands your situation. Admission counselors are typically understanding and will consider special circumstances as long as you provide them with the necessary context.
Get involved
You’re excited to transfer to take advantage of new opportunities and grow personally and professionally, but how have you taken advantage of the resources and opportunities that are available to you at your current institution? Keep in mind that college applications have a section where you’re able to list your inside and outside school involvement, and you shouldn’t leave it blank. How have you made an impact in your community? Are you involved in a major-related club or organization? Are you doing academic research with a professor? Are you involved in student government or other campus activities? Are you volunteering? Do you have a part-time job? Colleges want to know what else you’re doing besides attending classes and studying. If you feel that you’re lacking in this area, try getting involved with something ASAP.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken
Many transfer applicants don’t spend enough time on their personal statement because they think their transcript will speak for itself, but the personal statement is by far one of the most essential components of the review process. It’s your opportunity to tell the admissions committee who you are, what you value, what motivates you, and ultimately why you want to transfer. The personal statement brings your application to life and helps the admissions committee understand you and what value you will add to their campus. Without sharing your unique story, you’re just a number. Your story helps them humanize your application and will help you stand out amongst the crowd. You should be transparent, vulnerable, and put everything on the table. Don’t try to write what you think admission counselors want to read; just be yourself and no one else, and work to show your school of choice that they will benefit by having you as part of their community!
