Transferring Schools: The Good, The Bad and The Challenge
March 19, 2024
A very popular, yet uncommonly considered choice when it comes to college education, are transfers; although there are many misconceptions around this process and what it represents for students, it’s actually a great option for both domestic and international students to study at an academically challenging school.
Transfer acceptance rates can double regular decision ones, even in highly competitive programs and Top Ranked universities. This doesn’t mean that it’s an easier process than a first year application, because there are nuances to transfers (different deadlines, paperwork, credits revalidation, etc.) that can impact the process.
KEEP IN MIND
There are different steps to take depending on the country you’re interested in transferring to. Keep in mind that although exceptions exist, for the most part, regulations and limitations remain the same in every country/region. The most important thing to remember is that transferring is based on credits, whether it’s a minimum or maximum number of credits that you’ve taken or the amount that can be revalidated when transferring.
BY REGION
The US is the most popular country for transfers, followed by Canada; both also allow for easier processes to change majors when transferring schools. Transfers in the UK are not allowed, so in order to study in this region international students must take a Foundation Year/International Year 1. Schools in the European Union don’t commonly accept transfer students, but in some universities in Spain there are a number of credits that students can revalidate to continue their studies.
DEADLINES
Like most requirements, deadlines for transfers for Fall or Spring semesters change with every school. In most cases, transfer deadlines are from February to June for Fall entry, and July through November for Spring. Not all schools accept Spring transfers, so keep that in mind when researching timelines.
The good news is that, if you feel like you need more time to perfect your application because you’re determined to study at a specific school, Transfers are a great choice to ease the way into that academic dream. The obstacles such as credit limits, scholarship transfers and application deadlines can be tricky, but that just means you have to adjust your strategy to your needs.
