According to recent statistics from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, around one-third or 37.2% of college students transfer at least once in their first six years. That is a big percentage of students that are unsure of their academic plan.
The application process may appear challenging if you are transferring to universities in the US. Through this guide, you will be prepared to learn all you need to know to answer the question, “How to transfer from one university to another?”
Can I transfer from one university to another?
The answer is simple: yes. Transferring to another US college or university means leaving the one where you are currently enrolled. Because once you transfer, you have the option of staying with your current degree program or switching to a different one. The terms of your transfer may change based on your course, institution, and the timing of your transfer. In fact, you can transfer the majority of your credits to continue moving forward and finish your program in a similar amount of time.
Understanding the application processes and transfer guidelines of both your present institution and the school you wish to transfer to is essential for international students who wish to switch universities in the USA.
Although you can transfer to so many universities, be mindful that there are pertinent application and transfer deadlines. Make sure that you don’t miss those.
There are several reasons you might prefer to switch institutions, including the following:
- Your present university does not provide the major you intend to pursue.
- You need to explore other options due to budgetary constraints.
- You discovered a more fulfilling course of study at another college.
- You wish to attend a university in a new setting due to culture shock and other factors.
Although you can transfer to numerous universities, be aware that many have application and transfer deadlines.
How to transfer from one university to another
Higher education institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees are referred to as “four-year institutions” since they typically require four years to finish.
Two procedures occur when you transfer from a four-year institution or university:
- Academic Transfer: Your present institution’s credits are assessed to see which ones can be transferred to the university to which you are applying. By doing this, you can avoid starting from scratch whether you’re starting a new program or continuing an existing one.
- Immigration Transfer: Your new college receives the latest information from SEVIS regarding your immigration status as an international student.
The tracking of exchange visits and students is done through SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS is a fully automated system that ensures that international students’ immigration status is correctly maintained while they are living in the US.
You need a new I-20 form after your acceptance to the new institution has been approved. You must ask your prior institution to send your SEVIS record to your future university to begin this step. The details of your transfer will be changed in your SEVIS record and depending on when you transfer, this could affect the terms of your student visa.
Transferring From a US Community College
You can start at a US community college if you’re unsure about your major or need time to think about your choices.
Despite being substantially less expensive, community schools offer remarkably similar general education courses to four-year universities. This provides you the opportunity to evaluate your interests and determine your area of specialization. After you’ve decided on a subject of study that suits you, you can submit a transfer application to another US institution or university.
Some four-year institutions and colleges also waive the need for standardized examinations during their application process if you have finished a degree at a community college. You can avoid the first-year applicant pool and use this to your advantage when applying to highly competitive colleges.
Research Schools’ Transfer Regulations
It’s essential to look into the minimum admission requirements for the transfer program, application periods, and credit transfer terms before selecting which school to transfer to. International college credit transfer guidelines explain how many credits can be carried to the chosen university as well as the minimum number of credits you must have completed at your present institution.
Consult an advisor if your present university has any partnerships with US institutions of higher learning if you intend to begin your degree in your home country, let’s say India. With a greater opportunity to transfer more of your credits, these arrangements generally involve simpler procedures for transferring college courses abroad. They might also provide chances to apply for scholarships.
Identify first how you will clear any existing financial commitments to your present university before you start the transfer application process.
Transferring schools is not a simple task. But we hope that you already know how to transfer from one university to another in the US.
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