If you’re a university student who has ever thought about transferring to another university, you’re actually in pretty sizable company. Nearly 1.2 million college students transferred in 2024, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
It’s not easy to make that decision, especially after all you did to get accepted into your current college. But another university may be a better fit for you and your goals. And, with the right preparation, a transfer can be straightforward.
This blog article helps you decide if you should transfer, how to prepare and how to find the right, transfer-friendly university.
Is transferring the right move for you?
Before you do anything else, think about why you want to transfer to another university. Write down or type up your reasons. This has two purposes. First, you can evaluate your thoughts to see if you should transfer at all. And second, if you know what you want, you can confidently find the right university.
When you evaluate each of your reasons, ask yourself: Is this something I can fix? You may be able to speak with a counselor, professor or fellow student to address an issue.
Sometimes there are issues that can’t be solved. Here are some common reasons students choose to transfer:
- Academic program: Your university may not be a good fit for your educational goals. Maybe you’ve changed your major or refined your area of study into something your university doesn’t focus on. Look for universities with departments or professors that specialize in what you want to study.
- Location: Although it can seem like a lesser consideration, a university’s location is important for your internship or off-campus job opportunities. Some industries are concentrated in specific areas. For example, the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston and San Diego are major hubs for biotech companies. You don’t need to study near your desired industry, but it can help. Look for universities that are either near opportunities or can provide equivalent experiences.
- Social fit: It’s important to feel like you belong at your university. It may not directly contribute to your education, but your social life is vital to long-term mental health. It’s also a chance to build a network of people who want to work in the same industry as you. Even if you’re already a college student, you can still schedule a tour at another university to assess this for yourself.
- Financial considerations: If you or your family have had a change in financial status, you may not be able to afford your current university. Before you act on this, be sure to talk with your university’s financial aid office. Counselors may be able to help you. If you do apply to other institutions, you should compare their financial aid offers.
When is it too late (or too early) to transfer colleges?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the short version is, it’s (almost) never too late or too early to transfer. It depends on your circumstances, progress toward a bachelor’s degree and how the university handles transfer applications.
The best way to get a definite answer, according to University of the Pacific Director of Transfer Admission Channon Rosencrans, is to speak with a counselor.
“If every student thinking about transferring spoke to the school they’re interested in as early as possible, that would help them tremendously,” she says.
If you’re a returning or four-year student, you can get answers tailored to your situation. It’s also a chance to make sure you meet all the requirements for a transfer.
“Four-year to four-year transfer students need to reach out to the institution they’re transferring to,” Rosencrans says. “Because they could be missing prerequisites or taking courses they don’t need. We want to make sure they’re on the right track.”
Before you meet with a transfer counselor, review the transfer process and policies at the university you’re interested in. If you’re unclear about anything, a meeting is also a chance to ask those questions.
How to transfer from university to university
Once you’ve decided that transferring is the right move, the next step is to understand how to do it. The process varies, but these steps apply almost everywhere.
Contact the university you want to transfer to
Like Channon advises, reach out as soon as possible. Most universities have dedicated transfer admission professionals. You can set up a virtual meeting to get your questions answered.
Gather your documents
Generally, you need:
- Official transcripts from your current university
- Any required test scores or personal essays
- Letters of recommendation
Some universities, including Pacific, require less than others do for an application.
“We make it as simple as possible. We ask for the application and their unofficial transcript. That’s all we need,” Rosencrans says.
Keep in mind, you may need to provide more documentation, like your official transcripts, after you’ve been accepted.
Find out which credits transfer
It’s possible that your new university won’t accept all the credits you’ve completed in coursework at your current school. The registrar’s office generally decides which credits transfer after you’ve been accepted as a student.
That doesn’t mean you have to go into a process blind, though. Look for a university’s coursework transfer policy on its website to understand what kinds of credit it accepts.
Some universities also have online tools to help you understand which credits will transfer when you enroll, although these are not official assessments. At Pacific, for example, it’s as simple as uploading a picture of your transcript.
“It’ll calculate out your full evaluation,” Rosencrans says. “It’s unofficial, but we hope it’ll prompt you to meet with us, the transfer team. It gives a lot of detailed information, like what transfers or what doesn’t transfer. It can even let you know what else you need to take before you come.”
Apply
Once you’ve decided where you want to go and gathered your materials, you’re ready to go! Since you’ve already applied to college once, this will be a familiar process.
If you apply to more than one university, make sure you keep a close eye on each deadline!
How to find transfer-friendly colleges
Not every university provides same level of support to transfer students. Some design their policies with transfers in mind, while others do not. Here are some things to look for to find the right fit.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a set of criteria for choosing a transfer college, they’re a few things to compare between universities that you’re looking at.
- Clear transfer credit policies on their website
- Online tools that help you see what courses will transfer
- Dedicated transfer advising
- Transfer-specific scholarships
You should also consider whether the university has a strong transfer student community. Look for student clubs, transfer student associations or other on-campus organizations. Being around other students in the same situation can make your transition smoother and help you build friendships faster.