How to Transfer Colleges – Tips for Transfer Students

Transferring colleges is more common than you might think. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, transfer students accounted for approximately 13% of continuing and returning undergraduates in fall 2024.

If you’re looking to transfer institutions, we are here to help. Solomon Admissions Consultants works with transfer students each year, advising on transfer admission strategy and guiding students through their transfer applications. The transfer process differs significantly from the traditional undergraduate application process, so a transfer admissions consultant can guide you through the nuances of the transfer admissions cycle. As you start thinking about potentially transferring, here are a few things to know.

Preparing to Transfer

Here are a few tips to help you create a smooth and easy transition as you prepare to transfer institutions. Many colleges will use the Common App for Transfer Students, while other colleges will have their own application, like the University of California System:

1. Understand Transfer Deadlines. Transfer deadlines vary widely; some colleges accept Fall and Spring applications, while others have only one application deadline. If you miss out, you’ll have to wait until the following application cycle. For example:
   1. Georgetown University has a March 1 deadline for fall transfers and a separate spring transfer application round
   2. The University of California System has one deadline of November 30th
   3. The University of Michigan has two deadlines: October 1st and February 1st
2. Meet with your advisor. Ask questions about the transfer process; they are there to advise you on course selection and the transfer process. You will need to complete college report forms, request your transcript, and likely have questions about transfer credits; your advisor can help with all of this. Utilize them as a resource.
3. Know what credits will transfer. You can meet with your Advisor to discuss this, but some colleges have articulation agreements with other schools that may mean all of your credits will transfer (saving you time and money).
4. Some colleges might require your high school transcripts, and possibly test scores, and AP scores. If you have fewer than 30 college credits, many colleges often require your high school transcripts. You may want to provide your standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) and even your AP Scores to demonstrate your academic strengths.  
5. Meet with your professors and attend office hours. When transferring, you will not use your high school recommendation letters; instead, you will secure new recommendation letters from professors at your current institution. These professors need to know you before writing your letters, so attend office hours weekly. Build a relationship with each potential recommender; interacting only in class isn’t enough.
6. Be involved in your current campus community. The colleges you apply to transfer to will look closely at what you have done since enrolling in college. They want to see not just the courses (and grades) you’ve taken since enrolling, but also how you’ve contributed to your local community.

Building Your List

Are Some Schools More Transfer-Friendly Than Others?

When building your college list for potential transfer schools, look for schools that are “transfer-friendly.” You can look at the Common Data Set (Columbia, WashU, Wisconsin: click the link and scroll to the Transfer section) to get a sense of the percentage of transfer students accepted each year at the schools you are considering. Transfer-friendly institutions are those where the college has a higher acceptance rate for transfer students than for traditional applicants. Many schools are transfer-friendly; some may even surprise you, but not all are. It’s important to do your homework.

Can I Apply To A School I Was Previously Rejected At?

You can certainly apply to a school you were previously rejected at, but your chances of being accepted are questionable. You would need a significant change of heart, perhaps a change in major, or very targeted reasoning that differs from your first application. You simply cannot recycle the same application you previously used. If you’re going to attempt this, you need a new angle.

Why Are You Transferring?

This seems straightforward, but many students struggle to articulate it. Maybe you planned it all along, but other times, the school you chose isn’t the right fit for you. When building a list of schools to potentially transfer to, think about why you want to transfer in the first place. Make sure your list of transfer institutions best reflects the experience you are seeking.

Preparing Your Transfer Applications

What to Expect

The application process for a transfer student differs from that for a first-time college student. For example, many do not require SAT or ACT scores for transfer students. You will also find that the applications themselves differ greatly in the transfer round from the traditional round. It can be a bit unnerving at first, so give yourself extra time to explore the nuances and really get familiar with the different applications. There is a learning curve.

In addition to the different applications, as a transfer student, you will also need to formally request transcripts from your current institution, as well as any former institutions (college, high school, etc.). Some schools also require a college report, course catalog information for all college courses you have taken, and potentially a mid-term report. Requirements are provided on each college’s transfer website; contact their Transfer Admission Counselor with questions!

Other materials you will likely need to submit include letters of recommendation, a personal statement (most likely explaining why you want to transfer), and potentially additional supplemental essays. It’s important to know the deadlines for your applications and stick to them. As mentioned above, these deadlines will vary by school.

You’ve Got This!

Though the transfer process can seem daunting, preparing in advance and understanding your “why” when you apply will help you immensely. Your advisor will be an invaluable resource, and our college transfer consultants are also available to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

Originally Published: Nov. 2022. Updated by an admissions consultant and republished in Oct. 2026