8 Things to Know Before Transferring Schools

Transferring schools can be just as difficult as, if not more than, applying to college the first time. Being prepared for a transfer of schools is the key to make sure it runs smoothly. I am in the midst of transferring colleges, and this list is meant to pave the way for prospective transfer students. Here are some things to keep in mind while transferring schools.

What were your thoughts about your former school?

Always build on your last college experience. Determine what you liked in your former school in your next college, while also avoiding the parts you weren’t fond of. This will help narrow down your choice of colleges since you now have that experience to guide you.

Keep track of the transfer requirements.

Most colleges have lower acceptance rates and higher requirements for transfers rather than first-year students. Researching the difference in these requirements is a key to make sure you are able to meet these requirements, and also to narrow down your choice of schools.

Transfer credits.

Recognizing which of your existing credits will transfer before committing to another school will save time and money in the long run. The worst situation to be in is to realize a semester’s worth of credits will not transfer to your new college, which now means you paid for an entire semester for nothing.

Forget standardized tests, get your GPA UP!

Once you have reached college your high school grades and standardized test scores may no longer be a major consideration for acceptance when applying to a new school. Your current college GPA most likely has the most weight on your transfer application. Colleges WILL NOT accept a student who was sub-par in their last college into their own curriculum.

Room at the colleges for transfers.

Not all schools accept the same number of transfer students, which means you should always research how many transfers they usually accept before applying. This also depends on the school’s size, and your own campus preference.

Make sure your prospective school is transfer-friendly.

Some schools are not as helpful to students that are prospective transfers. The better campuses have a transfer counselor or coordinator to make your transition as smooth as possible. Always try to consider the schools that provide help to their transfer students, or the transfer process will be rocky (coming from personal experience).

Look for ways to become involved.

Just as your first year or two was a journey, since you needed to find your place in a new setting, your first transfer year will likely be the same. Finding those friends and clubs which keep you grounded through the stressful year is a must once you get to campus.

Get to know the area.

Last but certainly not least, always explore the new campus area to get comfortable. Make sure that the surrounding area is a place where you would want to live or walk through, since you won’t be spending all your time on campus.

Transferring schools may be just as tough as the first year transition, but it’s not impossible. I hope that, through this list, your transfer will go as smoothly as possible.