Over the past few years, I've counseled many students on transferring colleges. Most of them are dissatisfied with their current school and want to explore the possibility of transferring to a more suitable university.
When it comes to transferring colleges in the United States, many parents have numerous questions and might wonder about its difficulty. In most Asian countries, transferring majors is almost impossible, let alone transferring to a higher-ranked university.
However, in the US, one out of every three college students transfers, making it a common practice. Students must have completed their freshman year and earned enough credits to satisfy the prerequisites of the school/college they're applying to transfer into. For those rejected from their dream school, this provides another opportunity to apply.
But does transferring colleges affect future job prospects? How do you choose a good safety school to transfer from? And if you're already a freshman thinking about transferring, how should you prepare?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also walk through two case studies to answer your questions about transfer applications!
Today's Topics:
1. Why is transferring colleges so common in the US?
2. What you need to know about transfer applications
3. Case study #1: Transferring from a liberal arts college to a research university
4. Case study #2: Transferring from a public state university to a private university
1. Why is transferring colleges so common in the US?
The US education system allows for improvement even if your high school grades weren't stellar. You can continue to progress during college. As long as you can prove your abilities, the doors to good universities remain open.
Accepting transfer students is common in American universities, particularly in public ones. For example, at the University of California, Berkeley, 36% of new students last year were transfer students.
American universities favor transfer students for three main reasons:
Vacancies: Each year, universities have a certain number of vacant seats due to student mobility, including transfers, gap years, or temporary leaves.
Academic Performance: Transfer students typically have a good academic record, demonstrating their ability to succeed in college and beyond.
Higher Graduation Rate: Transfer students are more likely to persist and graduate, as they have a clearer sense of their goals and are more committed to their new university and major.
Hence, transferring colleges is a win-win for both students and universities.
2. What you need to know about transfer applications
Would employers mind if you were a transfer student to your current university?
Some students worry that being a transfer student might adversely affect future job opportunities, especially if they started their college career in a lower-ranked school. However, companies typically focus on where you graduate from, not where you started, and your diploma doesn't mention your previous school.
What kind of students should consider transferring colleges?
Students usually consider transferring for four main reasons:
Not enough time: Some international students decide to study abroad only in their junior or senior year of high school, so they didn’t have enough time to prepare for exams and applications. They might choose to go through a pathway or foundation program first, then transfer to another school after their freshman year of college.
Low High school GPA or exam scores: Some students may have struggled in their early years of high school but gradually improved their grades over time. Yet this resulted in a low cumulative GPA, affecting their college applications. Other students performed lower than expected on their IB/A-levels exams, so they couldn’t get into their top-choice schools.
Change of Major/Career Plans: Some students realize their true interests and career paths after starting college and find that their current university doesn't offer suitable courses. Or perhaps they might have had insufficient information when applying and ended up in a university that doesn't align with their interests. Students may transfer to a different institution that aligns better with their career goals, offering enhanced opportunities for internships, networking, and future employment.
Campus Culture: The college experience extends beyond academics, and sometimes students find that they don't resonate with the culture of their current campus. Seeking a more suitable environment is a valid reason for transferring.
Now it's not advisable to blindly pursue highly-ranked universities because transfer acceptance rates at Ivy League and other top 20 schools are comparable to their freshman admission rates. Transferring should not be seen as an easier way to get into top schools; rather, it’s an opportunity for you to reflect on your career choices and take responsibility for yourself.
If you know that you’ll definitely be transferring, what should you consider when choosing a safety school?
Reputation: The school itself should be reputable, and its degrees should be recognized. In case transferring fails, you may have to complete your entire undergraduate degree there.
GPA Requirements: Most schools have clear GPA requirements for transfer students. Choosing a school with high grading standards may make transferring more difficult.
Transferring History: You should research the school's history of accepting transfer students to determine if transferring from there is feasible.
What should you prepare if you're already in college and want to transfer?
Transfer Application Components: The transfer application process closely mirrors the traditional college application process.
Common Application: Similar to regular college applications, the Common Application is a standard form used by many institutions. It includes a Personal Statement and activities section to help colleges understand the applicant's motivations and achievements since high school.
Transcripts: High school and college transcripts are essential for evaluating academic performance. A Mid-Year Report detailing spring semester grades is often required as well.
Standardized Test Scores: Depending on the school, you may need to submit SAT or ACT scores. Evaluate whether retaking the tests will strengthen your application.
Letters of Recommendation: Most colleges require at least one, often two, letters of recommendation. Building strong relationships with professors is crucial for obtaining compelling recommendations.
Major-Specific Requirements: Certain majors or schools may have additional requirements, such as a portfolio, resume, or extra writing samples. Ensure you are aware of any specific demands for your chosen field of study.
Application Deadline
Transfer application deadlines vary, with Fall admits ranging from December 1 to March 1, and Spring admits due by November. Decisions are typically communicated in mid-May for Fall Admission. To ensure a smooth application process, it's vital to set up a schedule and adhere to deadlines.
3. Student Case Study #1: From a Liberal Arts College to a Research University
Student A considered transferring during his freshman year. At the time, he was attending liberal arts college that ranked nationally in the top 30. However, he wanted to transfer to a research university.
His reasons for transferring were mainly threefold:
1. The Scale: The liberal arts college was small, with only a few hundred students in his year. The intimate environment didn't encourage robust discussions, and Student A longed for the atmosphere of a comprehensive university where he could encounter diverse viewpoints.
2. Academic Rigor: Compared to comprehensive universities, liberal arts colleges offered fewer courses. Student A felt that the courses weren't challenging enough and sought deeper learning opportunities.
3. Limited Major Options: Student A had a keen interest in researching new energy vehicles and chose to study physics for that purpose. However, the school's engineering research mainly focused on fields like nuclear physics and stellar generation, lacking in new energy vehicle research opportunities.
Student A had excellent conditions for transferring: good grades and logical reasons for transferring. After discussing his interests, we targeted the Interdisciplinary Physics program at the University of Michigan.
After choosing his major, Student A began preparing his application and spent considerable effort on his transfer essay. In the initial version, he expressed dissatisfaction with the unchallenging atmosphere at his current school, longing for more diversity and debate at a larger institution. However, this tone could be misinterpreted as disparaging his original school to justify his transfer, which wasn't objective.
Therefore, we advised him to revise the essay to provide a more factual statement about how his career interests didn't align with the offerings of a small college, rather than criticizing his department. Additionally, we encouraged him to highlight his passion for new energy vehicles to demonstrate his fit for the interdisciplinary physics program.
He successfully transferred to the University of Michigan. Today, he's pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University, continuing his research on new energy vehicles.
4. Student Case Study #2: Application Mishap, Achieving Transfer Goals
Student B first thought about transferring in during winter break of her freshmen year while attending a state university in the US. Her campus had different courses from the main campus, and its location was rural.
Previously, she attended high school in China, where the teachers had little experience with application to US universities. She missed some key application deadlines and requirements, and applied relatively late.
Apart from the school's low rankings, Student B wanted to transfer for three reasons:
1. Limited Course Offerings: Student B aimed to work in finance and sought to major in finance during her undergraduate studies. However, her current university offered few relevant courses and lacked social activities.
2. Limited Internship Opportunities: She hoped to intern during her spare time, but the school's remote location offered few internship opportunities.
3. School size: The school had a large student population, with several hundred students attending lectures. She preferred smaller schools with a more personalized education.
She considered transferring to the main campus of the state university but found that she couldn't transfer until her junior year, whereas she wanted to transfer during her sophomore year.
With a GPA of 4.0, Student B was well-positioned for transferring. After considering her situation and discussing with her, we targeted the business program at the University of Southern California. The university had a great business curriculum, was located in downtown Los Angeles, and offered ample internship opportunities.
Essay Preparation: Student B needed to prepare her transfer essay and USC's supplemental essay.
The main essay topic was similar to that of Student A, requiring Student B to describe her academic journey and future plans. We outlined her essay by addressing her initial choice of her current school, her decision to transfer due to geographical and curriculum constraints, and her aspirations for the future.
In the career planning section, she mentioned her interest in finance and her desire to explore the psychological aspects of consumer behavior, emphasizing her fit for a business major at a more diverse university with more practical opportunities.
Her essay was well-structured, with an opening and closing summary, making it coherent and persuasive.
The supplemental essay required Student B to introduce an area of interest unrelated to her major but still appealing to her. Considering her interests, we chose psychology and focused on its applications in communication, advertising, and business, indirectly demonstrating her suitability for a business major.
Student B successfully gained admission to the University of Southern California and began her desired course of study.
Transfer Success Tips
Reflect on Your Decision: Clearly articulate why you want to transfer in your personal statement. Make a compelling argument for how the new institution aligns with your goals.
Academic Excellence: Maintain strong grades in your current classes, as they are a critical component of your application. Cultivate relationships with professors who can provide impactful letters of recommendation.
Standardized Tests: Consider whether retaking the SAT or ACT is necessary for your transfer application. Some institutions may require updated scores.
Deadline Management: Stay organized by checking application deadlines early on. Create a schedule to ensure all components are completed on time.
Navigating the college transfer application process requires thoughtful consideration and strategic planning. When you realize that a college isn't suitable for you, you can make adjustments through transferring. After all, college isn't the end goal, but rather the means to a better career. The path to success is not always linear, and transferring school can be a transformative step towards a realizing your self-potential.
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