How to transfer across universities
Have you spent a year or two at a college that still just does not feel like it was the right choice? If so, you could consider a campus transfer. A transfer can mean changing the institution you’ve been attending or transferring colleges within the same university.
The transfer application process is slightly different from fresh applicants, who have recently completed Class 12. The overall acceptance rate for transfer applicants is also lower due to space limitations and academic requirements.
Among domestic students in the US, a common transfer path from a two-year community college to four-year degree granting universities, is through a 2+2 structure. Community colleges offer associates degrees from where students can complete their core requirements with a smaller financial burden and develop a strong academic profile for transferring to a fouryear, bachelor’s degree granting college for the final two years.
When evaluating transfer applicants, colleges are interested in the students’ grades at their current college. They often do not require standardised testing (ACT/SAT) or high school academic records. However like first-year applicants, students are expected to write personal essays, and submit résumés, grades and recommendations.
Not all universities accept transfer students, therefore it is important to find out what possibilities exist early on. Each university has a different policy on transferring credits and accepting students as well. For example, courses taken in the first year may or may not be accepted by some universities for their credit requirements. This may mean unnecessarily repeating courses or potentially extending your course of study. Also transfer requirements and acceptance rates can differ between different colleges in the same university. For example, a transfer from NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences into NYU’s School of Education (Steinhardt) versus its School of business (Stern) differs in its expectations and overall rate of acceptance.
Students at US colleges who decide to change majors within the college should do so within the first two years so there is enough time to finish all the requirements. Do not wait too long to settle on a major (3rd or 4th year is too late) otherwise you may not have enough time to finish credits. This can mean having to take summer school classes or maybe even add a semester and graduate later than your peers. Out of all the types of transfers, changing majors is the easiest and can be done from within the institution — no external records should be required.
All in all, while transferring colleges is common enough, it would not be advised unless you are really unhappy with your current institution. Some questions to ask yourself if you are considering a transfer:
Can I meet my goals at this college? Have I tried exploring ways to make my experience better? For example, you could join extra-curricular student groups (college experience doesn’t have to be only about academics) Can I be successful enough here to meet my postgraduate goals (such as a desired job or master’s programme)?
If your answers to these question still lead you to seek a transfer to another college then keep the following in mind:
1. US college transfer deadlines are typically in the beginning of the year, around February to April. Check each college deadline carefully.
2. Research the college well, and make sure it is the right fit for you. If there are only a handful of transfer seats available, you need to convince the admissions committee that you are certain this is the right choice for you.
3. Do not be negative about your current or past institutions. Instead emphasise how they prepared you to take the next step to a different college. The best strategy is to make the most of where you are and take advantage of opportunities that can enhance and supplement your academic experience. Often students assume they can transfer into a better college after completing a year or two at their current institutions. This is not necessarily the case unless they have really excelled and shown significant potential in their current college. Transfer requires significant logistical preparation as well as social and emotional changes –nothing to be entered into lightly.
Source | Hindustan Times | 3 August 2016
Have you spent a year or two at a college that still just does not feel like it was the right choice? If so, you could consider a campus transfer. A transfer can mean changing the institution you’ve been attending or transferring colleges within the same university.
The transfer application process is slightly different from fresh applicants, who have recently completed Class 12. The overall acceptance rate for transfer applicants is also lower due to space limitations and academic requirements.
Among domestic students in the US, a common transfer path from a two-year community college to four-year degree granting universities, is through a 2+2 structure. Community colleges offer associates degrees from where students can complete their core requirements with a smaller financial burden and develop a strong academic profile for transferring to a fouryear, bachelor’s degree granting college for the final two years.
When evaluating transfer applicants, colleges are interested in the students’ grades at their current college. They often do not require standardised testing (ACT/SAT) or high school academic records. However like first-year applicants, students are expected to write personal essays, and submit résumés, grades and recommendations.
Not all universities accept transfer students, therefore it is important to find out what possibilities exist early on. Each university has a different policy on transferring credits and accepting students as well. For example, courses taken in the first year may or may not be accepted by some universities for their credit requirements. This may mean unnecessarily repeating courses or potentially extending your course of study. Also transfer requirements and acceptance rates can differ between different colleges in the same university. For example, a transfer from NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences into NYU’s School of Education (Steinhardt) versus its School of business (Stern) differs in its expectations and overall rate of acceptance.
Students at US colleges who decide to change majors within the college should do so within the first two years so there is enough time to finish all the requirements. Do not wait too long to settle on a major (3rd or 4th year is too late) otherwise you may not have enough time to finish credits. This can mean having to take summer school classes or maybe even add a semester and graduate later than your peers. Out of all the types of transfers, changing majors is the easiest and can be done from within the institution — no external records should be required.
All in all, while transferring colleges is common enough, it would not be advised unless you are really unhappy with your current institution. Some questions to ask yourself if you are considering a transfer:
Can I meet my goals at this college? Have I tried exploring ways to make my experience better? For example, you could join extra-curricular student groups (college experience doesn’t have to be only about academics) Can I be successful enough here to meet my postgraduate goals (such as a desired job or master’s programme)?
If your answers to these question still lead you to seek a transfer to another college then keep the following in mind:
1. US college transfer deadlines are typically in the beginning of the year, around February to April. Check each college deadline carefully.
2. Research the college well, and make sure it is the right fit for you. If there are only a handful of transfer seats available, you need to convince the admissions committee that you are certain this is the right choice for you.
3. Do not be negative about your current or past institutions. Instead emphasise how they prepared you to take the next step to a different college. The best strategy is to make the most of where you are and take advantage of opportunities that can enhance and supplement your academic experience. Often students assume they can transfer into a better college after completing a year or two at their current institutions. This is not necessarily the case unless they have really excelled and shown significant potential in their current college. Transfer requires significant logistical preparation as well as social and emotional changes –nothing to be entered into lightly.
Source | Hindustan Times | 3 August 2016
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