10 Best Transfer Schools in the US

Transferring to a school can often be intimidating and isolating. Some colleges and universities recognize the problem of adjusting to a replacement school, making new friends, and finding your way around a replacement campus; and they work to make the experience easier. Transfer-friendly schools have a clear process for transferring credits as well as offer support for transfer students even after enrollment. 

Some information listed here might change at the time of your reading, so it’s best to always check your preferred school website to get accurate and current information to aid in your decision-making.

So keep reading to find out the ten best transfer schools in the US.

Top 10 Best Transfer School In The US 

Florida and California’s widespread articulation agreements amongst different colleges in their respective states mean they dominate the list of transfer schools. However, there are still many schools across the country that provide excellent opportunities for transfer students.

University of California  (UCLA)

Los Angeles, CA

25% Acceptance Rate 

While UCLA doesn’t accept transfers that are less than 60 credits, the school’s transfer acceptance rate is significantly higher than their regular admission rates. UCLA has plenty of resources to ease the transfer application process, including ASSIST, which provides articulation agreements, and therefore the Center for junior college Partnerships, which has dedicated faculty for underrepresented students. 

The average GPA for transfer students is about 3.7.  Students transferring from other schools tend to enjoy the majority of the higher admission rate’s benefits compared to applicants outside of the school system, so definitely consider transferring to this prestigious university if you’re unhappy at your present school. The average transfer GPA, 3.7,  which is also much lower than the 4.29 average for freshman admissions.

Florida International University

Miami, FL 

76% Acceptance Rate

Located in the lovely city of  Miami, Fl, Florida International University is not a stranger to transfer students. The varsity accepts the foremost number of transfer students within the country. Additionally, FIU also offers generous aid for transfer students. In fact, they have specific scholarships for transfer students.

California State University

Various locations

40% Acceptance Rate 

California State University’s Educational Opportunity Program helps transfer students and other disadvantaged students with academic advising, aid, and private and guidance career counseling.

Cal State (Channel Islands location) accepts transfer students who have completed at least 60 credits at another college. Unlike most colleges, transfer students can enroll at the Channel Islands location starting in the fall or spring semester. Even the CSU-Long Beach chapter also accepts transfer students for both the fall and spring semesters. Significance is awarded to those with junior-level standing, who meet specific criteria for eligibility, such as lower-level coursework, general education courses, and minimum GPA.

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, NC

26% Acceptance Rate 

UNC works with the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP), which helps low and middle-income high school and junior college students apply to college. C-STEP prepares students academically for their transition to college. UNC’s transfer program is so great, that they accept more transfer students than freshmen. Additionally, with no precise course requirements, the school’s complete review process should definitely grant it a spot on your transfer list.

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

23% Acceptance Rate

UMichigan is a very transfer-friendly campus. The varsity features a transfer center, which offers resources specifically for transfers. They also offer a mentoring program aimed toward helping students feel welcome called Transfer Connections. Additionally, with transfer-specific counseling, mentoring, and housing amenities, the school is certain to have you chanting, “Go Blue!” before you know it.

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL

44% Acceptance Rate

The University of Central Florida is not a stranger to the transfer process. UCF will accept transfer students within the thousands annually. The varsity offers a specialized program for transfer students called Transfer Knights. The school hosts events, socials, and meetups to facilitate community amongst transfer students.

William and Mary College

Williamsburg, VA

38% Acceptance Rate

The College of William and Mary offers plenty of resources to make sure students understand the processes at the school. Each student will enroll during a mini-course, College Studies, to assist them to understand the way to register for classes. They are going to also receive a pre-major advisor, who will help them through their registration. For a school ranking #4 in undergraduate teaching and #1 in study abroad participation nationally, why not take the chance and experience bliss!

New York University

New York City, NY

16% Acceptance Rate

New York University has a lively transfer student organization as a part of its Student Life Center. Students are matched with a previous transfer student who will mentor new students through the acclimation process at NYU. NYU is renowned for its international student population as well as the overall quality of its programs. They boast of some of the best-paid graduates and have a high rate of job placement.

A minimum of 16 credits is required at New York University. Admission requirements are as follows: 

• Transcript from high school.
•  Scores on the SAT/ACT. 
• Scores on the TOEFL/IELTS.
• And a Form for Teacher Evaluation.

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

16% Acceptance Rate

Emory’s transfer acceptance rate is above its normal acceptance rate. What’s more, 90% of their transfer students graduate in 4 years.

The transition process is so seamless, students don’t grind to a halt retaking courses or delaying graduation. They accept transfer students applications during Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. 

To have a shot at transferring into Emory University, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.78. Preferably your GPA should be around 3.93. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores (SAT and ACT).

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

34% Acceptance Rate

Transfer applicants to SDSU are admitted into specific major programs, depending on how much space is available. That means transfer students have to choose a desired major when they apply and confirm they meet the requirements for that specific path.

The average GPA for SDSU is 3.77. The average SAT score composite at SDSU is  1215 on the 1600 SAT scale. So meeting these requirements will bolster your chance of getting into SDSU.

How To Apply To The Simplest Transfer Schools

Plan and research

Your college experience is exclusively your own. Therefore, you must think about what you want from college. Consider quite just whether or not your credits transfer; this is often your college experience. Take a couple of days to think about what you really want from a college or university, especially if you’re transferring thanks to an issuer in your present college culture. 

Ask yourself: What major is most interesting to you? What type of school does one want to travel to? What is the student body like?

Do you want to remain in-state or transfer out of state? What type of campus vibe do you want? What does my current school lack that I want?

These questions are important because they help narrow down your list and make sure you get the school experience you would want and receive a bachelor’s degree from a university you’re pleased with.

Think about transfer credits

The transfer admission process is often complex. Some schools don’t take all of the school credits you took from your current school. Check and see if your school has an articulation agreement with other schools you’re curious about. 

An articulation agreement is an agreement between two colleges that guarantees credits completed at one college or university are going to be accepted by the opposite university.

According to US News, four-year colleges in Florida and California usually have comprehensive articulation agreements with two-year colleges. In other words, the transition between junior college and four-year institutions could also be easier in those states because the transfer process is obvious and established. 

It is important to think about transferring credits because if the school you propose to ultimately transfer to does not accept credits, you will end up retaking classes and paying extra money to do so.

Consider the transfer application

Unlike typical college applications you complete in high school, transfer applications have different eligibility requirements and differ across schools. For instance, high school transcripts might not even be that important but a college transcript is needed.

Additionally, some schools will want your ACT or SAT scores. Some may even want a letter of advice, resume, and public declaration of interest. You have to conduct extensive research to find out the requirements of every institutions’ transfer policies. You will especially want to pay attention to application deadlines as they vary also. 

You must approach the transfer admissions process strategically and ensure you meet all the requirements to increase your chance of acceptance.

Bottomline 

Transferring through colleges is very common. Many students prefer to transfer to a state university after achieving their associate’s degree at a junior college. Other students may feel that the school they enrolled in after high school wasn’t the simplest fit for them. Irrespective of the reason, transferring to another college doesn’t need to be an intimidating process. 

If you want to transfer, try to plan early to make sure the courses you take will count, and also have a good grade. More than eight in 10 college admissions officers said overall GPA at a prior college was of “considerable importance” for acceptance of transfer students, compared to just 10% who regarded standardized test scores just as important, according to a yearly survey from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.

Acceptance rates for transfer students are sometimes higher than that for freshman applicants. 

You should also find the transfer requirements of your preferred school. While some schools have demanding requirements, others schools might be more flexible. Some schools might have a minimum GPA, SAT, or ACT score requirements, or ask for letters of recommendation from professors at your current school.

Some schools only allow students to apply to transfer in a particular year or semester of college. For instance, the University of Pennsylvania only permits transfer students to apply and enroll in their university during the fall semester. This is commonly seen among highly competitive schools, including Ivy League and other top twenty schools.

While some schools have a more flexible transfer requirements and accept a higher percentage of transfer students every year. The University of Michigan for example does not require students to submit recommendations from professors at their current schools. 

FAQ  about the best transfer school in the US

Q. Do some transfer schools support transfer students?

A. As mentioned, some schools have robust programming to assist transfer students to apply and ultimately enroll at their schools. The simplest schools will pair you with a mentor and make sure you have everything you would like to embed yourself within the student body. 

Q. What is the best time to transfer to a college?

A. It is best to transfer after you have received your Associate’s degree from the school or after 60 credits. While many faculties may allow you to use before that, the admissions process is far smoother once you’ve got the degree as you are don’t have to worry about any particular classes transferring. 

Q. What is an honest transfer GPA?

A. It depends on the school. Some schools have GPA requirements, while others will compare you to the remainder of the applicant pool. Try to maintain good grades and remain involved in extracurricular activities, which helps bolster your application as you apply. 

Q. Why do Ivy League schools have such low acceptance rates?

A. Numerous applicants apply, fully knowing that they don’t have a real chance at receiving admission or think they do but are very wrong. These top schools love students like this, who lower their acceptance rate, making their school look even more selective and elite. They don’t choose to have this rate, it is 100% based on the number of students who apply.

Q. Which Ivy League accepts the most transfers? 

A. Cornell University has the very best acceptance rate, generally, among the Ivies. The same remains true for its transfer admissions process.