How to Complete the Common App for Transfer Applicants

There are plenty of reasons why a student may decide to transfer colleges. Sometimes it’s because they’re unhappy with their current campus; sometimes it’s because they simply want new horizons. Do either of these sound like you? Whatever the reason for transferring, if you decide to make a change, know that you’re not alone—increasing numbers of college students are taking advantage of the option to start fresh and re-enroll in a new institution before graduating.

However, as a transfer applicant to college, you’ll face tasks that you didn’t encounter as a freshman applicant. All this has to be completed while juggling fulltime student responsibilities. It might seem like an overwhelming amount of information to handle, but there’s no better time to get started than now—and Empowerly is here to help you stay focused on the goal line.

It’s not exactly the same as applying the first time around. For starters, you might need to submit a mid-term report of your current grades, and/or provide transcripts from both your high school and current college. Not only that, your essays will require a different approach, and you will probably need to gather new recommendation letters.

Today, we’re going to focus on the Common App for Transfer, a variant of the traditional Common App used during your initial college applications. As one of the main college applications you may need to complete, it’s a logical place to start. This article will cover:

• Do I qualify as a transfer applicant?
• When are the transfer deadlines for colleges?
• How do I complete each section of the Common App Transfer application?
• How do I approach the Common App Transfer application essay?

Let’s conquer this together.

Here’s the short answer: it depends! 

Here’s the long answer: school policies on transfer status vary. At many institutions, taking just one post-high school college course can classify you as a transfer applicant. Other schools require 24-30 credits before you can transfer. It’s crucial to research these requirements thoroughly before starting your Common App transfer application.

If you’re in doubt about whether you’re eligible for transfer, it’s a good idea to consult with a college guidance counselor who can help you find the answer that applies best to your unique situation.

Again, it might not be the answer you want to hear, but it’s true: every school does this a little differently. Each college sets its own transfer deadlines; some have one application deadline annually, while others have two. The most common time to apply for a fall transfer is around March. For instance, all eight Ivy League schools have deadlines between March 1st and March 15th:

• Brown: March 1, 2024
• Columbia: March 1, 2024
• Cornell: March 15, 2024
• Dartmouth: March 1, 2024
• Harvard: March 1, 2024
• Princeton: March 1, 2024
• UPenn: March 15, 2024
• Yale: March 1, 2024

Most other colleges in the US follow a similar pattern, though individual colleges will certainly have exceptions. Here’s our advice: start early, and you won’t end up rushed.

This part will likely look familiar if you’ve filled out college applications before. As you might expect, the Common App transfer application consists of four sections: 1) Personal Information, 2) Academic History, 3) Supporting Information, and 4) Program Materials. Let’s go over each one.

Easy money! This section includes basic demographic details such as ethnicity, physical address, gender identity, and information about your parents/guardians. This part should be straightforward.

Here, you will enter information about your high school and colleges attended, along with completed courses. If required, you’ll also report any standardized tests you’ve taken, such as the SAT/ACT and AP/IB exams. There’s also space for continuing education courses, including those from platforms like Coursera, as well as in-person or online workshops.

As a transfer student, you’ll likely need to request information from multiple sources. Don’t wait until the last minute to reach out to academic advisors. Ask for your transcripts or grade reports early so you avoid missing anything in the shuffle.

The “Experiences'' subsection allows you to include any relevant activities that illustrate how you spend your time. The key for transfers is to focus on experiences that have happened since graduating from high school, placing them at the top of your list. 

Major activities that occurred in high school can be included if they directly relate to your current pursuits, such as an engineering major who was President of the Competitive Robotics Club. Ideally, these activities should have occurred during your junior and/or senior years. However, the majority should be from your college career and beyond.

In the awards section, it’s a similar rule. Prioritize collegiate achievements, but significant high school honors can also be added if you don’t have more prestigious awards.

This section is similar to the supplemental applications you completed during the freshman application cycle. Here, you will address school-specific essays and short-response questions. Always check the “Questions” tab within the Program Materials section, as some schools only list their essays here. Others may list the main essay in the “Documents” section, which can be confusing. (Some schools list essays in both places. Just double check!) The “Documents” tab also includes a list of required documents for each transfer institution, such as college transcripts, a mid-term report, or a resume. You can easily upload these directly into the form.

The “Recommendations” tab on the Common App transfer application is where you’ll add recommenders. It’s strongly advised that you find recent recommenders and do not reuse your high school letters.

Not every college requires an essay as part of their transfer application, but many selective institutions do. Often, these prompts ask you to explain why you want to transfer, or why you chose the new college you are applying to.

To address this effectively, briefly recount your educational journey so far and the reasons for transferring, avoiding any negative comments about your current school. Highlight the opportunities your current school has provided and how you’ve utilized them. Then, explain why you believe another institution will better serve your academic and professional aspirations.

Most counselors agree that the strongest reasons for transferring are academic; social or environmental factors should be secondary. For instance, after taking several forensic anthropology courses, you may want to major in forensic anthropology, but that option isn’t available at your current college. Alternatively, you might seek a university with a more supportive undergraduate research environment. Finally, clearly articulate your vision for the future and how the new institution aligns with your goals.

Navigating the transfer application process may seem daunting, but with careful planning and a clear understanding of each component, you can successfully transition to your desired future. 

Remember: staying organized and motivated is key to your success. Thoroughly research each college’s transfer policies and deadlines to ensure you meet all requirements. And, before you submit, take time to craft a compelling transfer essay that reflects on your educational journey and outlines your aspirations at the new institution.

With determination and the right resources, you can make a seamless transition and continue your academic journey at a college that aligns with your goals. Embrace this opportunity to grow, learn, and achieve new heights in your educational and professional endeavors. Empowerly has helped over 98% of our students gain acceptance into the colleges of their choice. We can help you, too.