College Transfer Considerations

Most parents with college students have received that late night call at least once: the excitement of the college adventure has melted into panic, misery, or both.

Many college students face big challenges now and then: academic difficulties, social conflict, illness, loneliness, or maybe financial struggles.

During these rough times, it's common (and very normal) for students or parents to wonder whether transferring to another college would make life better.

But when is a college transfer actually the right choice? Here are some important points to consider:

WHAT IS THE REAL ISSUE?

While there are many reasons a student might be considering a college transfer, these are the most common:

• Financial

  • Sudden change in family finances

  • Resources to pay for only a year or two of college, and no additional funding has materialized

  • Loss of scholarship due to GPA or other requirements not being met

    
    

• Academic

  • Desired change in major that is not offered at the current institution

  • Interest in gaining acceptance to a more selective institution

  • Rigor difficulties and/or executive functioning challenges

  
  

• Social

  • Feeling lonely or homesick/struggling to make friends

  • Lack of meaningful involvement in campus culture

  • Conflict within social group or breakup with a romantic partner

• Medical/Mental Health

  • Prolonged or frequent illness

  • Serious medical condition or mental health challenge

Sometimes, college students are facing challenges in multiple areas, so it helps to identify which issues are contributing factors.

WILL A COLLEGE TRANSFER RESOLVE THE CONCERN?

Sometimes, the answer is a definite 'yes'.

Often, affordability issues do not improve with additional debt or constant struggles to make payments. Transferring to a more affordable school may be the best option.

Serious medical or mental health concerns may require that a student transfer to a college close to home, possibly after a break from school.

Other times, the answer is 'maybe'.

Social concerns- Students who feel socially isolated or are struggling with their friend group may need help identifying the root cause and ways to fix it. It's common for college students to need time to catch their footing socially, so a college transfer isn't always the right choice. Some questions to consider:

• Is the school's social culture a true mismatch?

• Will more time, effort, or engagement with resources potentially help?

• Will switching to a new campus fix the problem or is the same problem likely to reappear at a new school?

Academic struggles- It's very common for students to struggle adjusting to the expectations of college vs. high school. It's helpful to determine whether the current school can still be a good academic fit. Some questions to consider:

• Is the rigor of the coursework at the current school definitely too challenging?

• Will tutoring, executive functioning coaching, or other learning supports help?

• Is a change in major worth considering?

• What other colleges that would be a better academic fit? How so?

Major change- It's very common for students to change majors, but sometimes the new desired major isn't available at the current school. Some questions to consider:

• Has the new major been well-researched to be sure it's the best fit?

• Is there a similar major or minor at the current school that can lead to the same career outcomes?

• How will a college transfer and major switch impact graduation date?

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS?

Applying to colleges as a transfer student is a bit different than applying as an incoming freshman. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Think about how each potential college is a better match academically, socially, financially, and geographically.

  
  

• Research transfer acceptance rates and whether major is considered.

  
  

• Understand each college's requirements.

  • Minimum GPA, completed credits, recommendation letters, etc.

  • Note that the application deadlines for transfer students are often different than for incoming freshmen.

    
    

• Check out housing options and availability.

  
  

• Research each school's orientation program.

  • Some schools have robust orientation programs for transfer students, and others do not.

    
    

• Understand the financial aid/scholarship landscape at each school

  • Merit aid is sometimes less plentiful or non-existent for transfer students.

    
    

• Consider transfer credits

  • Some schools provide course equivalency databases so you can research which courses are likely to transfer.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP?

College transfer is a big decision- one that has practical, as well as very emotional, considerations. Each situation is unique, but below is a list of potential resources:

Parents

Students sometimes rely heavily on family for emotional support as they navigate this tough decision. The ideal situation is one where students and parents can work together as a team to determine the best next steps.

Academic and social support services at the current college

Sometimes students aren't aware of the multitude of academic and social resources at their school, or maybe they had one bad experience and gave up. Professors, TAs, RAs, academic advisors, student activities offices, tutoring and writing centers, career services offices, and disability/learning services are all great resources.

Medical health professionals

If a medical condition is interfering with academic success, medical professionals can provide guidance on lifestyle adaptations and/or accessing on-campus accommodations.

Mental health professionals

Students who feel isolated, depressed, or anxious may understandably struggle with advice like "just put yourself out there", "join a club or two", or "give it some time and it'll get better." A mental health professional can be an important source of support during difficult times.

College consultants

Families may find it helpful to work with a college consultant, particularly when emotions are high or when sorting out the details feels overwhelming. A college consultant can help families assess whether college transfer is the right move, and navigate the logistics if it is.

At Growing2College, we support families as they consider college transfer options. Request a free 20-min consultation to learn more about how we can be helpful.

Kate Pedigo, M.Ed., CEP, NCC is an Independent Educational Consultant and founder of Growing2College. Join us on social media for college planning updates, tips, and resources: Facebook   Instagram   LinkedIn