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Best Colleges to Transfer To
Students in the process of transitioning from one school to another face a unique set of challenges, such as transferring credits, securing financial aid, and dealing with academic requirements. Every school provides some support for transfer students as they navigate the admission and enrollment processes. Some schools feature student centers or other highly specialized services targeted directly to transfer students. Examples of those services include social events, workshops, special academic support, housing information, and financial aid opportunities specific to transfer students.
Listed below are 15 of the best schools to transfer to, each of which has programs and services designed to help transfer students thrive. No matter what school you choose, be sure to contact the admissions office to get the most updated information regarding the transfer process.
15 of the Best Colleges for Transfer Students
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University stands out as one of the best transfer schools as it offers a transfer-focused orientation, TRANSFERmation, featuring social events and mentorship from former transfer students. The program is designed to help new students make a seamless transition to life at SLU. There is also a class that helps transfer students during their first semester on campus (http://www.slu.edu/transfer-student-experience).
Clemson University
Clemson offers a transfer-focused housing community, where transfer students live together and receive academic support. Additionally, a transfer council represents the transfer student voice in student government, and the school hosts a special web portal to keep students informed during the transfer process (http://www.clemson.edu/accepted-students/transfer-programs).
University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA offers a joint volunteer project during its orientation for transfer and first-year students that makes it one of the best transfer colleges in California. Students build a rapport while working together to support the child life program at UCLA's affiliated hospital. Following orientation, students maintain their connection to each other and the university through participation in the Bruin Transfer Camp (http://www.newstudents.ucla.edu/transferstudents.htm).
University of Michigan
This school emphasizes a one-on-one approach in its support for transfer students. Newly accepted transfer students are encouraged to enroll in Transfer Connections - paired with specially trained current students, transfers learn directly about all U of M has to offer. The transfer student office also publishes a monthly newsletter (http://www.onsp.umich.edu/transfer_students/mentorship).
American University
Transfer students at American are paired with current students, and these pairs connect to support various non-profits in Washington, DC. Following orientation 'Welcome Week', the campus offers weekly sessions designed to support transfers, as well as an honors society for academically successful transfers (http://www.american.edu/ocl/orientation/Transfer-Transitions.cfm).
University at Buffalo
The university's Educational Opportunity Program is open to qualified transfer students, helping them find support and comfort. The campus also supports peer mentoring and a transfer-only honor society (http://transfer.buffalo.edu/specialclubs.php).
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The flagship campus of the North Carolina system, UNC offers extensive support to students making the transition from community colleges. The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP) identifies academically talented students from 2-year colleges and supports them on both campuses. The school also helps qualified C-STEP students graduate with low or zero student loan debt. Transfer students can go online to determine which of their current credits will transfer before they decide to apply (http://admissions.unc.edu/apply/transfer-students/carolina-student-transfer-excellence-program-c-step/).
The University of Utah
New members of the Utes family can trade-in t-shirts and other material from their old schools and receive University of Utah t-shirts on Transfer Tuesdays! As the year progresses, transfer students who attend the weekly meetings learn about campus resources, scholarships, and other important issues (http://orientation.utah.edu/transfer/index.php).
Portland State University
PSU hosts a virtual home for transfer students leading them through every part of the admissions and registration processes. Students can use the online center to gain information about each step of the transfer process; they can also apply and live chat with representatives. An online degree audit program called uSelect allows students to get information about PSU degree programs and transfer credits before enrolling (http://pdx.edu/transferstudent/).
New York University (NYU)
Transfer students at NYU can anticipate unique challenges as they transition to both the school and New York City. The campus hosts a Student Resource Center, through which transfer students can join their own Facebook group, request a mentor, participate in a student-run transfer student association, and join a dedicated listserv to receive a weekly newsletter (http://www.nyu.edu/students/undergraduates/student-communities/transfertransitioning.html).
University of North Texas
A comprehensive web community links transfer students with all UNT has to offer. Students can get comprehensive, creative information about how to transfer and be successful. The site hosts a live chat function and can be highly personalized to address each student's situation (http://transfernow.unt.edu/).
The University of Arizona
Arizona hosts a transfer student center that helps guide transfer students through the admissions process. The school also has an association specifically for transfer students and hosts a chapter of Tau Sigma Beta Omega, a transfer student honor society (http://admissions.arizona.edu/transfer).
University of Central Florida
Transfer students can live in specialized housing and join the Transfer Knights, an organization designed to help them transition to life at UCF, which certainly makes the college a contender for the title of easiest university to transfer to. The campus recognizes that transfer students are more likely to succeed when they get involved with campus life. Transfer Knights seeks to be a bridge for new students and give them a 'first class experience' (http://transfer.sdes.ucf.edu/).
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green offers extensive scholarships for transfer students. In addition, the state of Ohio has developed the Transfer Module, making it easier for students who begin at other Ohio colleges and universities to transfer. Students are encouraged to 'Finish What You Started' through mentorship and orientation programming (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/ntss/).
The College of William and Mary
Transfer students at this school benefit from a designated Associate Dean of Students. The dean holds regular open office hours and often eats lunch with transfer students. Through his office, transfer students can access orientation, tutoring, and credit evaluation services designed to promote their success (http://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/transfer/index.php).
Think carefully about whether transferring is a good idea before taking the plunge.
Transfer Enrollment Rates
Different schools have different rates of enrollment for transfer students. The table below gives the number of transfer students enrolled in each school in the fall of 2019, and each figure is given as a percentage of the total population of students enrolling.
| School | # of Transfer Students | % of Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis University | 299 | 2.3% |
| Clemson University | 1,529 | 5.9% |
| UCLA | 3,284 | 7.4% |
| University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) | 1,278 | 2.7% |
| American University | 212 | 1.5% |
| University of Buffalo | 1,742 | 5.5% |
| University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) | 846 | 2.9% |
| University of Utah | 1,446 | 4.4% |
| Portland State University | 2,988 | 11.8% |
| New York University | 960 | 1.8% |
| University of North Texas | 4,405 | 11.2% |
| University of Arizona | 2,384 | 5.3% |
| University of Central Florida | 7,488 | 10.8% |
| Bowling Green State University | 560 | 3.1% |
| College of William & Mary | 173 | 1.9% |
Data retrieved from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Tips for Transfer Students
Transferring schools might seem like a daunting process, but by carefully planning and being proactive you can make the switch without unnecessary hassle. Follow these tips to make transferring colleges as smooth as possible.
Make Sure Transferring is Right For You
Before you do anything, you need to be sure that transferring schools is in fact the best decision, especially if you're considering transferring because you're not happy with your current institution. Keep in mind that the dissatisfaction you're experiencing with the school you're in now may still be a factor after you transfer, and a different environment doesn't necessarily equate to a different experience. Sometimes the problem is not the college or university, but the subject you're studying. If you want to transfer in order to extend your degree, make sure you hone in specifically on good colleges to transfer to after community college.
Get Organized
Having researched the best colleges that accept transfer students and selected the ones that interest you most, it's important to be aware of all the relevant application deadlines, checklists, and policies. Put them all in a spreadsheet so you never lose track of them, and make sure to set reminders on your laptop or phone for each of the upcoming due dates. There's nothing worse than getting your heart set on a particular school and then realizing you've missed the application deadline!
Plan Financially
Another logistical matter to consider when transferring schools is finance. Many of the top schools for transfer students are located in large cities, which can be costly areas to live in. Because the environment may be totally different from what you're used to, remember that hidden expenses may surprise you, such as public transport, groceries, and even the price of a cup of coffee. There are also a number of administrative tariffs that a transfer student must pay, including application and credit transfer fees.
Don't Be a Stranger
Transferring colleges means starting fresh, but as the figures above show, you're not alone. In some schools, transfer students make up as much as 11% of the student body. Don't be scared of joining clubs and societies, attending social events, and approaching classmates after lectures. These can be intimidating tasks when you don't know anyone, but after taking the plunge, you'll be glad you did it.
