When is the Best Time to Transfer Colleges?

If you’ve ever felt unsure of whether you’re at the right college, you’re not alone. Each year, more than one-third of students in the U.S. leave one college and enroll in another. 

Transfer students are students who decide that a different institution may be better suited to help them reach their goals. Some may have always planned to transfer colleges, like those who started their academic journey at a community college and now need to finish at a four-year institution, while others may discover during their journey that they would prefer a different college experience.

That’s not to say transferring colleges is always a simple task. There is a list of things each student needs to know before they start the process, including:

• How to transfer colleges – from an enrollment standpoint
• Credit and GPA requirements for transfer students
• How your college credits will transfer
• Whether there are scholarships for transfer students 
• And most especially – when is the best time to transfer? 

If you’re considering switching colleges, you’ll want to come prepared — and timing is everything.

Reasons for Transferring Schools, According to Students

As the excitement of starting college settles in, the sense of anticipation, ambition and wonder can last for months. But if you find yourself wanting something more, or you feel the need to change paths, you’re in good company.

Here are some of the top reasons students decide to transfer:

School fit: Sometimes, students realize they are better suited for schools that have a different social culture, more optimal location, different coursework offerings or increased prestige.

Community College Transfers: Community college transfers make up the largest number of transfer students each year.

Social Isolation: College can be a difficult transition, but it can be harder without connections to help you blow off steam or reach your goals.

Financial Situation: Students may be inclined to go somewhere with lower tuition or larger scholarship opportunities.

Things to Know Before Applying to Another College: Is it Ever Really Too Late?

The short answer is that it’s never too late to transfer colleges — even if you are in your senior year. However, the process of transferring can become more complicated the longer you wait. Transferring within the first two years of college typically ensures you’ll have enough time to complete your degree requirements at a new institution.

After the second year of college, you may have to retake courses, delay your graduation or have limited course options to choose from.

Keeping Track of Transfer Application Deadlines

The application timeline is another potentially confusing aspect of the transfer admissions process. Most schools offer fall entry for transfer students - and a few, like MSMU, also provide a spring entry. 

Typically, the deadline for a fall start is around March 1 of the same year. For a spring start, students can expect to get their applications submitted by early November for full consideration. It’s imperative that you keep careful track of the deadlines of every school on your list, as well as the credit hour requirements for each deadline.

Making the Most of your Previous Work as a Transfer Student

One thing that can help transfer students, especially those transferring after one semester or one year, is making the most of your previous work. Since some universities have different requirements for similar degrees, you’ll want to avoid taking extra coursework. There are several common forms of transfer credit that college students bring to new institutions. 

AP Exams: Taking advanced placement exams in high school can earn you college credit, given you’ve achieved a score high enough to qualify for the course you’re aiming for.

Articulation Agreements and Transfer Guides: Every institution handles transfer credits differently, so it’s a good idea to research how the schools you’re considering handle them. Make sure you read any material thoroughly and take detailed notes from any meetings with transfer counselors. 

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Completing CSU GE-Breadth and/or IGETC certification allows students to transfer with all lower division general education classes completed.

CLEP Exams: Another great option to gain college credit, CLEP exams enable students to show their proficiency in specific subject areas and thus gain credit for general education courses. 

International Baccalaureate Exams: These exams help international students gain college credits and demonstrate their proficiencies. 

Military Credits: Some schools offer generous credit policies to veterans and active military workers, so check with your institution if you fall into either category.

Feeling Like it’s Too Late to Transfer Colleges?

It’s never too late to transfer colleges, but sometimes it can feel that way. If you are looking for other options, there are many schools (maybe even the one you are at right now) that offer programs designed for busy, working adults. These programs may fit better with the stage of life you are in – and there are more options today than ever. 

Here are a few of them:

Weekend and Evening options

Many universities, like MSMU, offer unique majors and minors during their weekend and evening schedules, so if you’re feeling stuck, check your university website to see if those options geared toward adult learners will work for you.

Distance & Online Learning

Online courses and majors are gaining popularity across the United States, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students even take online courses at their university and live in an entirely different state – and this can help with feelings of social isolation, student-school fit and more.

Looking to Transfer? We’ve Got the Resource for You.

Transferring colleges can be overwhelming and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Mount Saint Mary’s University is one of the few schools that accept spring transfers in California. We also pride ourselves on creating a seamless transfer student experience.

Check out our guide, Transferring Colleges: A Guide to Finding Your Place and Completing Your Bachelor’s Degree, and earn a guaranteed merit scholarship upon acceptance.