Keys to Transfer Success

Your checklist for transfer:

√ Research the program(s) or institution(s) you are interested in attending. Check on transfer agreements between institutions. Look in the academic calendar(s), check out their web sites and talk with people who may have attended the institution(s) or who know about the program. Also Attend College Fairs its a good way to find out what college/university you would like to transfer to. And Parents-stop at a college with children when you are traveling.

√ Attend information sessions offered by the institution(s). Call the transfer specialist, recruiting office or department of interest to find out when the next information session is scheduled.

√ Note any application deadlines so you don’t forget them. The deadline may refer to having a complete file (application, transcript, etc), not just the application.

√ Consult an advisor at your new college/university to see if the courses you are planning to take will transfer to the institution of your choice.

√ Find out what GPA is required for admission, and if anything else is required (e.g. interim transcripts, volunteer experience, references, etc.). If you are applying to a program, will you have to apply for the program you want after you are admitted to the institution or before you are admitted? Is there “admission by exception?” Do you need to take an assessment? Can assessment from one school be used at another?

√ Talk with an advisor, counselor or transfer specialist if you still have unanswered questions or concerns. Get name and email address of the institution’s transfer specialist.

√ Submit your application for admission to the institution(s) you want to attend by the deadline. Include your application fee and any other required documents.

√ Arrange to have official transcripts sent in time for deadlines for transcript evaluation. Bring a personal copy when you talk to an advisor.

√ Arrange to transfer or apply for financial aid and/or scholarships. Are there special forms to transfer financial aid from one institution to another?

√ Check on enrollment options, e.g. full-time, part-time, non-degree seeking, concurrent.

√ Check on general education transfer requirements or lower division requirements.

√ Find out about housing, student programs, scholarships, organizations and services available.

√ Ask for a campus directory and map, location of classrooms and offices. Do they offer tours?

√ Attend the new student orientation. If you cannot attend, do they have an orientation online?

√ List your expectations of your next school. Do you expect them to help with finding a job placement? How will they orient you to the new campus?

The material on this page is used with the permission of the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT). It is closely based on their publication "British Columbia Transfer TIPS." Others wishing to adapt or use this material should first seek permission from BCCAT.