The Ultimate Guide to Transferring Colleges: What You Need to Know

Transferring to another school can be both exciting and daunting. It’s a big decision, whether you’re changing your academic focus, looking for a better culture fit, or aiming for broader opportunities.

With so many things to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed: Application deadlines, credit transfers, and financial aid – oh my! However, with the right guidance and resources, transferring colleges can be a smooth experience that gives you a clearer path to achieving your educational and career goals.

This guide to transferring colleges is designed to equip you with everything you need to know about transferring. We offer insights and tips to help you make informed decisions and confidently embrace your new beginning, whether that’s here at the University of South Florida or elsewhere!

Step 1: Understand Your Reasons to Transfer

Before you start the transfer process, you need to clearly understand why you want to move schools. Reflect on your current college experience. Are you unhappy with your academic program, social environment, location, or financial situation? Identifying your unique, personal reasons for transferring will help you choose the right school for you.

George Koulianos, a transfer success representative at USF, sees a lot of transfer students come in from a junior college.

According to Koulianos, “Some students want to be in an atmosphere with smaller classrooms and kind of get used to the college experience, learn to live with that kind of schedule, and then go up to a bigger university.”

A bigger university means more academic opportunities, and Koulianos says students who transfer to USF frequently cite that reason.

“When I talk with most of the transfer students looking to come to USF, there’s a specific program they’re looking at and they say, ‘Oh wow, I’m really excited because I see you have all this going on,’” he said.

Step 2: Find a College that Fits Your Needs

After you determine why you want to transfer, start researching schools that align with your academic and personal goals. Look at factors like program offerings, campus culture, location, size, support services, and financial aid options.

Use online resources, attend college fairs, and visit campuses, if possible, where you can engage with current students and faculty to get insider perspectives. Find your top schools on social media to see what students and others are saying about them. If you’re not quite sure where you want to go, staff at each university can give you guidance.

Koulianos is an example of a staff member ready to help transfer students find their best fit. “I get to know the student a bit, talk with them about their interests and what they’re looking for,” he said.

Koulianos said when he speaks to potential transfer students, he likes to see how many credit hours they have, where they currently live, and what kind of experience they’re looking for – because at USF, students can choose from three campuses. Each offers a different experience, like the large Tampa campus, the mid-size St. Petersburg campus, and the more intimate Sarasota-Manatee campus.

“If students are looking for something pretty small and quiet, I definitely recommend the Sarasota-Manatee campus to them,” Koulianos said. “Most of the students I talk to are local to Tampa, so that might be a pretty good drive out for them. But I like to preface that if they’re admitted to USF, they have the option to go to all three campuses as long as there are classes offered for their major there.”

Step 3: Understand Transfer Requirements

Once you’ve found your school, research its transfer application requirements and deadlines. Each university has its own specific requirements, so make sure you’ve got a way to keep track of all that information.

For example, look into how your existing credits will transfer over so you know ahead of time. If you have 60 hours and will lose 10 of them at one school but keep those 10 at another due to different requirements, that’s worth consideration. Most regionally accredited institutions will accept most credits from other regionally accredited schools, but some courses may not transfer over.

Key components to have on hand include official transcripts, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation or personal statements, if those are required. The official transcript is something that students often get tripped up on, Koulianos said. Students will often bring in transcripts that are unsealed and ask staff to scan them into the system – but once a transcript is unsealed, it’s no longer official.

“You actually have to request that your transcript be sent from the institution you previously attended, and we can only receive an official copy from that university or college,” Koulianos said.

If you want to turn in your sealed transcript in person, that’s also acceptable. But make sure you have transcripts from every single institution you’ve attended. While your last transcript may have grades from other schools on it, you’ll need sealed transcripts from each school all the way down to high school if you took any college-level coursework then.

Step 4: Apply As Soon as Possible

“I always recommend students apply as early as possible,” Koulianos said. “Get in the necessary documents and request any you need to be sent to you. That way we can be on top of any issues right away instead of waiting until the deadline.”

The sooner you get your application in, the sooner you can apply for things like on-campus housing, which often has a waitlist.

There’s also the matter of residency for in-state tuition rates. At USF, many transfer students already have several hours logged at an in-state institution, validating their Florida residency. However, some cases need extra attention, and you don’t want to be stuck paying extra for tuition because you waited too long to resolve issues with your residency.

“Just be on top of everything and be diligent about what you’re doing,” Koulianos said.

What to Do if Your Application Is Denied

If your application is denied, don’t fret. You’ll likely have a chance to re-apply later depending on why you were denied. For example, your GPA might not be quite high enough. In that case, you can take some more courses at a local community or junior college to help raise your GPA. If your chosen major is more selective than others, you could re-apply for a different major or a different term.

“I’ll use accounting as an example,” Koulianos said. “Say you apply as a lower-level transfer, and you need one or two of the prerequisites completed. You may be admissible to USF, but not to that major. Sometimes, we’ll request that you change your major to something not as selective.”

Koulianos said he also recommends students finish their AA degree or get 60 transferable credits before re-applying.

“I did that path and I was hesitant at first – do I really want to do two years? But it really prepared me for success when I got to USF,” Koulianos said. “In almost every case, it’s not the end of a path for a student to come to USF. There will be pathways, and it’s more just finding what fits for them.”

Step 5: Get Your Finances in Order

Moving to a different school may come with extra costs. Your rent may go up, you’ll have new meal plans, and tuition may be higher. Examine your budget, look for scholarships, and assess the financial aid packages available at each school you’re considering. Talk with financial aid advisors so you have a full understanding of all available options and make an informed decision.

Use Google to locate all possible scholarships that you can fill out as a transfer student. Local community scholarships may also be available, and many organizations offer scholarships. Dedicated sites like Scholarships.com, BigFuture, Scholly, and others can link you with scholarships that apply to your demographic, your major, and other characteristics.

Step 6: Prepare for the Transition

Once you’re accepted, transitioning to a new college involves both logistical and emotional preparation. Organize moving details, get familiar with your new location, and connect with future peers. USF has BullsConnect, where students can explore all our on-campus organizations and find the right fit for them.

On the academic side of things, you’ll need to set up a meeting with your advisor so they can get to know you, learn about your goals, and help you set up a schedule that aligns with your degree requirements.

Your university will also have a student success team ready to help you with anything you need, like tutoring, meeting people on campus, health resources, and more. If you need accommodations for anything, you’ll also need to coordinate with your school so you’re prepared for the first day of classes.

Step 7: Embrace Your New Environment

Settling into life at a new college takes time and effort. Engage with student organizations, attend campus events, and connect with classmates to build a network and find a sense of belonging. Embrace the opportunity for growth and change and remember it’s normal to feel both excited and anxious.

“Really enjoy this time! College is an awesome experience. You’re going to make a lot of new friends,” Koulianos said. “It’s a great time; use it to learn. Get involved on campus, even if you’re a commuter student or you live right off campus; join a club. Students have so many opportunities.”

Ready to Start Your USF Transfer Journey?

Transferring colleges is a brave decision. It’s a chance to redefine your educational journey. Above all, remember: Your ultimate goal is to find the right environment to thrive and reach your potential, wherever that may be.

If you think USF is that place, we can’t wait to help. Koulianos recommends that new applicants start with our transfer requirements page, which breaks down all the requirements for admission by the number of credits you currently have. Once you check that out and you’re ready to apply, click the button below.