What do colleges look at for transfer students?

For anyone who's transferred colleges, what factors did the admissions office seem to focus on? I'm curious if they weigh high school performance more heavily or if college performance takes priority.

Transfer admission is a unique process and different colleges will place varying amounts of emphasis on different factors. However, one consistent theme amongst almost all colleges is the high importance placed on your academic performance at your current college.

Your college GPA tends to be looked at first and foremost. Admissions officers want to see that you can handle college-level work and that you're ready to succeed at their institution. So, keep up your grades as much as possible! Remember, different institutions may have different GPA requirements, some might require a minimum of 2.5, while others might require a minimum of 3.0. This score also aligns with the type of institution; more selective colleges often require higher GPAs.

Admissions officers will also consider the courses you have taken. They want to see that you're pushing yourself and taking challenging classes, not just filling your schedule with easy electives. This is often evaluated in the context of how comparable those courses are to the ones offered at the institution you're applying to. Therefore, students are often advised to take a curriculum that aligns with their intended major.

Another important part of your application is your reason for transferring. This could be included in your application essays. Here, you should emphasize what you hope to achieve by transferring and how the new institution aligns better with your academic and career goals. It's important to avoid negative language or disparaging your current institution -- instead, focus on the positive aspects of the transfer.

While high school academics may still be considered, they tend to be less important unless you're transferring after only one year of college, or if you performed poorly your first semester or two in college. If admissions officers agree that high school performance is worth considering, they will most likely look at your high school transcript and possibly your SAT or ACT scores.

In summary, your college academic record and your reasons for transferring are typically the most weighted factors. However, every college has its own policies and emphasis can change based on how many semesters you have completed, amongst other factors, so it's worth researching individual school policies and perhaps reaching out to admissions offices directly for clear guidance.