When our students tell us they’re thinking about transferring colleges, most of us say “wait, what?” But the truth is that college transfers are more common than ever. A significant number of undergraduate students move between institutions each year. And parents who respond to the idea of college transfer with calm, practical help can make the difference between a messy switch and a successful one.
First, Take a Breath
For many parents, the thought of transferring brings up fears of lost credits, additional semesters in school, and the costs associated with that. Suppress the urge to focus on those details, and instead, start with questions and empathy. Ask why they want to transfer and listen for whether theirs is a thoughtful decision or a reaction to a short-term problem. Their decision to transfer may be driven by a host of factors — new academic interest, size and overall fit are common reasons. Students may also find they need both emotional and practical support in college—support they aren’t receiving at their current school. (Community College Research Center). On the other hand, some reasons—such as a poor roommate match—could be resolved easily, preventing the need for a college transfer.
Learn the Landscape Together
National data show transfer enrollment has grown in recent years. And because of this, colleges are becoming more welcoming of transfers, and are making the transfer admission process simpler. Having said that, encourage your student to do their own research. Colleges vary widely in how they treat transfer credits, what application materials they require, and whether they have transfer-specific admissions processes or guarantees. Spend an afternoon together reviewing basic statistics and institutional transfer pages so you both understand the environment. One great source for this is what we call “the Clearinghouse,” actually, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center and federal IPEDS data.
Focus on Credits and Degree Progress First
What students and their parents worry about most with college transfer is credit loss. And when this happens, students may find themselves attending school longer—with the attendant higher costs. Encourage your student to request an official transcript from their current college to be sent to potential transfer schools and have them ask for an official credit evaluation. This will help them know exactly where they’ll stand at the new school if they transfer.
Further, many community colleges have articulation agreements with four-year schools. These agreements guarantee that most—if not all—of their community college credits will transfer. If your student attended a community college, explore whether their associate degree provides a smooth pathway to their bachelors degree. This repost from the Community College Research Center may help in your planning.
Use the Available Tools
Many colleges publish their articulation agreements, college transfer equivalency tools, or “transfer guides.” National organizations also offer help: NACAC and the National Student Clearinghouse maintain transfer resources and advice for applicants, including fee-waiver forms and step-by-step checklists. Encourage your student to contact transfer admissions offices directly and to use regional transfer centers or state transfer portals where available. Maryland features the Artsys system. Artsys lets students check course-by-course equivalencies, most especially among the state’s community colleges, its public colleges, and select private ones. The system allows students to match courses from their school to others as a first step. But I still urge students to contact transfer admissions offices and academic departments directly for the most accurate information.
If the reason for the college transfer is a change of major, have them confirm prerequisite course requirements to be sure that the courses they’ve taken will count toward the new major rather than only as electives. This is a time for them to be the “squeaky wheel” when asking for assistance.
Finances and Timing
Transferring can change financial aid packages, scholarship eligibility, and loan responsibilities. Talk through the likely costs: request a run-down from the financial aid offices at both the current and prospective schools. Pay attention to application deadlines — transfer application cycles and deadlines often differ from first-year cycles — and whether admissions decisions are rolling or made at one time.
Campus Fit Still Matters
A successful transfer isn’t only about credits. Other features, such as campus culture, student demographics, internship and career pipelines, and student support services matter, too. If one reason for transferring is their emotional or social struggle, focus on schools with strong support networks and dedicated orientation programs for transfer students. Encourage them to visit campuses (virtually or in person), talk to current transfer students, and review retention/graduation outcomes for transfers.
Final note
Transfers are increasingly common among college students and may be the right move for your student. But college transfer is most successful when students face it with planning, documentation, and trusted advisors. As a parent, take on the consultant role with for your student. You can do this by asking constructive questions, helping them gather paperwork, and encouraging them through the process. With the right steps, a transfer can be an important step toward a better academic and personal fit.