The Complete Guide to Transferring Universities (2024)

In the words of Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “students are on the move again.”

According to the center’s statistics, college transfer enrollment went up 5.3% in the fall of 2023 compared to fall 2022 — a percentage that translates into a whopping 62,600 students.

The fact that you’re here reading this article is just another piece of evidence that a shift is indeed happening! It also tells us that you might have some questions on transferring from one educational institution to the next.

So, without any delay, let’s look at the why, the how and the when of transferring universities!

Why you might consider transferring universities

There are many reasons why transferring universities may be the right choice for a student — or even the only choice in some cases. Let’s expand on some of the most common reasons why you might consider transferring to a different school:

• You’re changing majors. A different school may be offering a better program for your desired major, or even a major that your current school doesn’t offer at all.
• You’re not in your preferred environment. For one reason or another, you may not feel like you fit in with your peers or professors.
• You’re feeling socially isolated. Being far away from family and/or friends is not the right choice for everyone; you may benefit from closing up the distance.
• You’re re-evaluating your financial situation. Some schools are significantly more expensive than others, after all.
• You’d like to attend a more prestigious school. If you have improved your GPA, you may be ready to join a school of wider recognition.
• It was your intention all along. High school leavers often enroll in one- or two-year degrees in community colleges, intending to use that as a steppingstone to university.

When to transfer universities

How you time your university transfer should be informed by your educational goals and the reason(s) you’re considering a transfer in the first place. Most of the time, university students transfer to a different institution upon completing their first or second year of postsecondary education.

This is more straightforward than attempting to transfer at the end of a semester in the middle of the year — which is still doable — or mid-semester, which can be impossible. Attempting to transfer after completing two years of study at one college is also generally not an option.

In most cases, transferring before your second year is completed (or right after) ensures that most, if not all, of your credits get accepted by your new school.

As enrollment and transfer policies can vary between educational institutions, make sure you start the process early and take the time to understand your target school’s application requirements.

The different transfer options

Although not all college transfers are the same, there is luckily a great deal of overlap in terms of how to navigate the process. Let’s look at five different scenarios:

Transferring from the US to an international university

Transferring from a US school to an international one can require additional planning than if you were applying for a transfer within the country. Some extra things you would have to consider and take care of would be:

• Any visa and immigration requirements, which can include purchasing health insurance
• Language requirements and proof of proficiency, should you wish to enroll in a program taught in a different language
• Accreditation, as you’ll want your degree to be recognized internationally and not just in your host country
• Student (or private) housing, which can be incredibly hard to find in some parts of the world, including major cities in Europe, Australia and Canada

Transferring from an international university to the US

If you left the US to study abroad but have changed your mind and would like to return and continue your studies at home, you must speak with a student advisor about how credit evaluation and transfer will work in your case. You may also need to prepare detailed descriptions of your courses or syllabus to assist in the credit evaluation process.

If you’re an international student looking to enroll in a US university, on the other hand, you will need an F-1 visa, also known as the academic student visa, before you can relocate for your studies. Similarly, you’ll need to investigate what applies to you in terms of credit transfers.

Transferring from a 2-year community college to a 4-year institution

Associate degrees provide you with the opportunity to transfer to a public or private school and complete your bachelor’s degree there. This is one of the most common types of transfers for college students in the US, and is widely referred to as the 2+2 plan. (That’s due to the number of years of attendance you’ll be completing at your community college and chosen university.)

To initiate the process (if you aren’t enrolled in a Transfer Admission Guarantee program), find out if your college has articulation agreements or transfer partnerships with any four-year university programs.

Transferring from a 4-year university to another

Transferring from one university to another to complete your four-year degree is doable, although the process can be more complex than if you were transferring from a community college.

To do so, you need to research and understand their admission requirements, transfer agreements and what majors they offer. This is especially true when looking to enroll in a stronger university: their requirements are likely to be much stricter, meaning you’ll need to maintain a strong GPA to be considered.

Getting involved in more extracurricular activities is also another way of showing that you’re a well-rounded candidate who strives to give back to their institution and wider community.

Transferring from an online university

Just like when you’re transferring from one physical university to another, moving between online universities (or from an online to a physical one) still requires you to gather official transcripts, a letter from your college and proof of college accreditation.

Generally, institutions don’t distinguish between credits earned online or on-campus, so long as the program you’re attending is accredited. If you’re enrolled in a non-accredited online course, however, and hoping to enter an accredited university, you may lose all your credits and have to start over.

Tips for transferring universities

Below, we’ll be discussing how to go about transferring universities in 10 actionable steps to give you an idea of all the things you’ll need to consider and take care of.

1. Start the process early

As you know, applying to college is a lengthy process, so give yourself enough time to research universities, understand how transfers work and gather all necessary materials.

One thing you’ll want to dedicate enough time to is determining whether your reasons for wanting to transfer schools are valid. Of course, if you’re unhappy at your current school that is perfectly valid, but a transfer may not be the best choice in some instances.

For example, if you like the environment but are becoming overwhelmed because of demanding classes, the solution might be in asking for additional support and developing stress management skills, as the same problem might just repeat elsewhere.

2. Research your target schools

Allowing yourself enough time to explore different options is imperative when looking to transfer schools.

This is especially true if you previously picked a school using not-so-good criteria; perhaps you wanted to move to the city with the best nightlife or to get as far away from your parents as possible. While valid to an extent, these are factors you’re better off not basing your decision on.

Things to consider instead include (but are not limited to):

• What major you want to pursue and how your target university ranks for it
• Whether your target school is accredited
• How the cost of living and tuition fees compare to other institutions

3. Consult with student advisors

Transferring to another university entails many different steps and requires you to research and understand various concepts, such as credit evaluation. The good news is that student advisors, both at your current school and your target college, are there to provide support every step of the way.

Maintaining an ongoing conversation with both schools is the best way to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. It will also ensure that you’re providing the right information at the right time, and allow you to stay on top of your transfer application progress.

4. Understand credit transfers

Although your student advisors are there to help, you want to be familiar with and aware of as many aspects of the transfer procedure as possible. This can help minimize errors and prevent unnecessary delays.

One vital component of college transfers you’ll want to research and understand is that of credit transfers. Generally, you can transfer between 60–90 credits from one institution to another towards your bachelor’s degree.

Although the maximum number can vary between schools, you’ll typically be expected to complete the remaining 30–60 credits at your new institution to be awarded your degree.

5. Prepare your application materials

Although there will be some variation based on your chosen university and major, you’ll generally need to complete or submit the following documents or forms:

• Your transfer application, which is typically done via the university’s admission portal
• Official transcripts from your previously attended college and, in some cases, your high school
• A detailed description of your current syllabus to help with the assessment of your credit transferability
• Letters of recommendation from professors, mentors or coaches who can speak of your academic performance and character
• Your personal statement
• Your financial aid information
• Standardized test scores

6. Submit your application(s)

Once you have gathered all required documents and have put together (yet another) college essay, it will be time to hit those “Upload” and “Submit” buttons on your screen. If you’re applying to multiple universities, make sure to keep a note of each institution’s deadline, as well as to tailor your personal statement to each one.

Bear in mind that you’ll also need to resubmit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. More on this coming up shortly!

7. Go on campus visits

If you have applied to more than one university for a transfer, you’ll want to try and visit as many campuses as possible prior to making a decision. This allows you to gain an understanding of the sort of environment you would find yourself in, helping you make a more informed choice.

Although other factors such as the university’s reputation, location and fees are also essential to consider, a first-hand feel of the atmosphere and a “sneak peek” at the students, staff, lecture halls and facilities can be just as important to have.

8. Stay in touch with admissions staff

Gathering or preparing your application materials can be a stressful situation — and yet the moment you submit them, having finished your part, your anxiety can begin to increase rather than decrease. Indeed, anticipation often makes emotional experiences feel all the more intense!

To rest assured that you have submitted all required documents, monitor the progress of your application, keep track of decision notification dates, and stay in touch with your prospective university’s admissions officers.

9. Attend orientation

Attending your new university’s orientation day (even if it’s not mandatory) is important, as it will help you develop an understanding for how, when and where classes are held, what the institution expects from its students, what rules and regulations apply on campus, and other details that can prove essential to your studies and student experience.

Besides allowing you to find your bearings, orientation can be a great way to meet people and start to form friendships.

10. Register for classes

To ensure you get the schedule that you want, it’s important to register for classes early — and to do that, you must ensure that there are no restrictions on your student account prior to registration day.

For example, there may be a hold on your account if your tuition has not successfully been paid; so, double-check before the day comes.

Besides picking your desired classes, identify some backup options as well, just in case some of your chosen ones are filled up before you’ve had the chance to express your interest.

Student loans and transferring universities

Unfortunately, although credits are usually transferable between colleges, financial aid is not. That means that you’ll have to resubmit your FAFSA form, updating it to include your chosen school. Note that not all colleges participate in federal student aid programs, so check with your prospective institution before doing anything.

Another thing to bear in mind is that, depending on the details of your transfer, your financial award can increase or decrease once you enroll in a new program. Plus, if you’re moving mid-year and receiving any ongoing outside grants or scholarships, you may need to contact your individual providers for guidance.

Transferring course credits

As we have already touched upon, in most cases, you should be able to transfer at least some of your credits from one university to another. Each school has its own policies regarding transferring credits, however, so you must look into this when picking out prospective institutions.

In many cases, 60 credits is the maximum number that a school will accept during a transfer. Whether those credits were earned through online or in-person instruction doesn’t typically make a difference, so long as you’re enrolled in an accredited program of study.

FAQs about university transfers

Still have some questions regarding college transfers? Let’s answer three commonly asked questions to clear up any confusion or uncertainty.

Q: How do transfer applications compare to first-year applications?

Applications for transfer students tend to be similar to first-year student applications, as they typically entail getting letters of recommendation, writing a college essay, and providing transcripts and (sometimes) test scores.

Q: Can I apply to a school that has previously rejected me?

In the majority of cases, yes, you can. If you have carefully read their requirements and feel confident that this time around you can meet them, there’s no reason to decide against applying one more time.

Q: What are some poor reasons for transferring?

As mentioned, some reasons (such as feeling stressed due to difficult classes) may not be the best factors to base your decision on. Other such reasons include disliking a specific professor, not having made many friends yet and feeling homesick.

A good way to put things into perspective is to imagine that you’re placing all the pros and cons of your current university on a weighing scale: which side tips first? And which of the things you dislike or struggle with might improve over time?

Key takeaways

Transferring universities can be a challenging process, but given that you’re doing it for the right reasons, it can certainly be worth the hassle. Remember:

• Transferring universities can be a lengthy process, so the quicker you start it, the better.
• Speaking with student advisors will make life easier for you — both at your current school and target university.
• Your financial aid does not transfer from school to school, meaning you’ll have to resubmit your FAFSA form.
• While it’s normal to struggle with feelings like stress and loneliness, this may not always be the wisest factor to base your decision on.

We hope our step-by-step guide on transferring universities has been helpful! Where are you thinking of continuing your higher education studies? What has been the main reason behind your decision to transfer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published on October 10, 2020.