Can I Transfer Colleges with a Bad High School GPA but Good College GPA?

I'm thinking about transferring colleges, but my high school GPA wasn't great. However, I've really improved and have good grades in college. Does this strengthen my transfer application, or will my high school performance hold me back?

In the transfer application process, colleges will primarily look at your college transcript over your high school transcript. This means that if you've indeed done quite well in your current college program, that will considerably strengthen your transfer application. Schools look for this upswing in performance because it can indicate your growth and your ability to perform well in rigorous college coursework. It demonstrates traits such as resilience, adaptability, and an increasing understanding of your academic potential.

However, depending on how many credit hours you have completed at your current college at the time of application, some colleges may still ask for your high school transcript. They might use this as additional context, especially if you've completed only a semester or two at college. So, while your high school grades could be a factor, they may carry less weight as compared to your college grades.

All colleges have different policies though, so it's best to check the specific transfer requirements for any schools you're interested in. Generally, the more rigorous and selective the school, the more holistic their admissions review will be--meaning they'll consider all parts of your application, and all aspects of your academic history, in their decision. Good luck!