Choose a school that’s right for you. Talk to students who have attended classes at various institutions. Attend information sessions such as “Transfer Day”. Check into program offerings, admissions policies, size of institution, convenience of location, costs, course scheduling, and whether or not it meets other needs such as housing and day care.
Seek advice. When making transfer plans, always seek the advice of an academic advisor or admissions counselor at your current school and at the school you plan to attend. Ask for admissions information, for the best courses to take, and what financial aid may be available. Frequent communication will facilitate a smooth transition.
And your name is…? When you contact a school, write down the name of the person with whom you talk. Make every effort to reach this person each time to ensure that the information you get is consistent.
Start the application process early — about a year in advance, in most cases. The longer you delay in making decisions about your major or the institution to which you’ll transfer, the more likely you will experience problems with college admissions, financial aid, and program completion.
Find out what records you will need to be admitted. These may include medical/immunization records, test scores (ACT, SAT, etc.), information concerning financial aide eligibility and transcripts.
Plan ahead! You will need to request official transcripts from each institution you’ve attended. Your previous schools cannot release these without your permission, and a request may take several weeks to process.
Ask questions. Don’t worry about asking a dumb question or too many questions. If you have a question about course articulation and transfer, more than likely it’s something that other inquiring students want to know, too.
Visit the campus and meet with an admissions counselor, academic advisor, and take a tour. Call for an appointment before showing up at an office. Bring your old catalogs, a pen, and a list of questions. Making arrangements in advance will help you make the most of your visit. Or, take a virtual tour on the web.
Properly withdraw from the institution you’ve been attending as well as any you were admitted to, but decided not to attend. Cancel housing contracts and take care of all financial obligations.
