Transferring is more common than one would think. Did you know that ⅓ of all students transfer to a different college at least once before they graduate? The most common reasons students transfer are financial issues, poor academic performance, or deciding on a new major, and the current college doesn’t offer it. Allow BestFit College Advisors to guide you through this step-by-step process.
My advice is not to be too hasty to transfer without weighing all of your options. Ask yourself these questions:
Is the transfer really necessary?
Research potential schools of interest
Visit the college. Speak with current students, admissions, and professors.
Meet with the academic advisor, registrar’s office, and financial aid office
Does the new school offer opportunities academically and socially that your current school does not
After gathering all this information, make a pros and cons list for each college
Be prepared to explain why you are transferring now and to this particular college and what you have learned from your time in college.
There are a few pros for transferring students. Firstly, did you know that your GPA and course load at your current college will hold far more weight than your high school transcript? This can be advantageous for some who prove to be stronger students in college than in high school. Secondly, acceptance rates for transfer students have started to rise. In 2019, according to the NACAC’s State of College Admissions report, the admit rate was 61% compared to 66% for freshmen. However, as you can see from the chart below, comparing
Transfer v. Freshman acceptance rates are starting to equalize.
Applying as a transfer student is just as difficult, if not more, than that of freshmen. It can sometimes be an intimidating process with a lot of paperwork, not to mention transfer students do not get the support that freshman applicants get from their high school guidance counselors. Also, once they apply, there’s still a lot to consider. The student must readjust to the new schedule, classes, roommate, campus, social circle, etc. A major drawback to transferring colleges is the potential of losing out on scholarships and financial aid. This was the case with my daughter, who was considering transferring after her sophomore year. Upon inquiring, we discovered that the $4,000 yearly merit scholarship she was granted by the college each year would turn into a loan if she transferred to another school. Needless to say, she decided not to transfer.
To learn more about the ins and outs of transferring colleges, contact Cheryl at BestFit College Advisors so we can walk you through this process successfully and without all the stress. We welcome you to contact us at 207 229-8603.
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