Transfer Application: How to navigate the process

In my twenty years of experience in the education industry, I have observed a consistent pattern of more and more students looking to transfer colleges in search of more opportunities and better resources. Switching colleges is not easy, especially when you do not have enough guidance about the process. Many students often miss their deadlines for the applications or remain confused regarding the credit policies. Thus, it is important for you to choose the best-fit college for yourself which meets both your academic as well as social expectations.

Over the past decade, there has also been an increase in the number of students seeking transfers from their current schools and colleges. Due to the rise in competitive education among the younger generation, a large population of students prefers to shift from their current college into another for a variety of reasons. When it comes to transfer applications, it is essential to note that it is not easy to get admission into another institution. However, if a student fulfills necessary requirements and makes his/her/their case in front of the admissions committee, then the chances are high and it can be a wonderful opportunity.

Since transfer applications are evaluated differently than normal undergraduate applications, it becomes extremely important to be careful for students. From the beginning of the admission process, you need to know what you seek. It is necessary to be sure of what you are looking for in a school or college. Do you wish to engage in a more rigorous curriculum? Do you want to be more active in extracurriculars? The first step towards the transfer application process is to understand your needs and create a pool of universities for yourself.

Let us look at a few steps with which you can achieve this goal:

● Brainstorm on why you are interested in a transfer from your current school
● Work around the details of your present course and the one you want to join
● Check if this course fulfills your desired academic requirements
● Conduct extensive research about different universities and the value of graduating from there

After following these steps, you will not only have a list of universities to apply to but also have a clear vision of whether or not you are making the decision. However, before applying to colleges and universities, you should know the proper policies which they have for transfer students. One tip would be to check the admission statistics of universities before applying.

Now, once you have decided to apply, the next step would be to start preparing yourself for the application. Since the procedure is different from the general undergraduate applications, you have to go on your chosen university website and make note of their deadlines.

First things first, since most universities require students to submit their SAT and ACT scores, it is very important to have your documents in place. The second step would be to contact your high-school and college for your transcripts. As a college student, you will need to submit your college transcripts, if you have attended then you should compile documents from each of them. For high-school transcripts, it depends on your target college, some may ask for them and some may don’t.

If you’ve made the decision of transferring in the early period of your college, then you must maintain a good GPA as many universities would want a student who has been an active member of their previous college community.

Transfer essay

This is one of the most important parts of your transfer application. As the essays are different from general admission, you need to understand what the admissions committee is expecting you to answer in the question prompt. Thus, brainstorm on why you are transferring from one college to another and state the reasons clearly. For example, mention how your first college experience has helped you thrive and grow but now you are seeking more challenges. To leave a better impression, add how you want to expand your academic knowledge and how the new course will help you achieve this.

Rather than providing information about your high-school grades and achievements, throw light on how your current college groomed you into a more responsible and aware individual. Since the essay prompts for transfer applications are much more specific, it is necessary to answer these questions correctly and to the point. The essays will help the admissions committee to have an understanding of your personality and will enable them to determine whether or not you are the right fit for their institution.

Credits

Before submitting your application or shifting colleges, make sure what number of credits from your current college can be transferred. This will help you to not start from scratch and all your efforts will not be wasted. Many universities allow students to transfer but be certain of whether your credits will be added as electives or to your course. This is a key thing to note because you would not want your hard-earned credits to be rendered pointless. Additionally, remember to clarify every detail regarding your credits as in some colleges all may not be transferred, depending on where you transfer to from or.

Before transferring to another college, you should also make sure that you have the finances to go through the process. Normally, transfer students are less likely to be eligible for scholarships and funds but certain colleges keep special aids aside for especially transfer applicants. Thus, utilize the time of research to look out for such resources.

Students who feel nervous about the process should understand that every school is different. Each college will have a different set of requirements, deadlines, and decision-making process based on its own protocol. However, if you are sure then this can be a beneficial opportunity for you to take advantage of. If you experience stress and low confidence regarding making this choice, then remember that sometimes it requires us to make tough decisions to expand our limits and reach our final destination.