Can an International Student Transfer to Another College in the USA?

I'm an international student currently studying in the U.S., but I'm thinking about transferring to another college. How feasible is this, and what are the steps involved in the transfer process? Are there any special considerations for international students?

Certainly, as an international student, you can transfer to another college within the U.S. It's just as feasible for you as it is for domestic students, even though there are a few additional steps you'll have to take. Here's a general pattern that you can follow:

1. The first step is akin to what any domestic applicants would do when deciding to transfer. Thoroughly research the colleges you're interested in to ensure they offer the academic programs, campus culture, and other opportunities that align with your objectives.

2. Once you've found a college that fits your needs, you'll need to go through that college's transfer application process. This typically involves completing an application in which you'll include your transcript, personal essays or statements, and letters of recommendation.

3. One critical step for international students is ensuring that your transcripts can be understood by admissions officers at your prospective college. You may need to enlist a translation service to convert your grades into the American GPA standard, if they are not already in that format.

4. If English is not your first language, colleges might ask you to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score to demonstrate your English proficiency.

Now, regarding your immigration status and visa situation (as an international student), you'll have some additional steps:

1. You'll need to talk to the International Student Services office at your current college about your intention to transfer.

2. If the college you wish to transfer to accepts you, you'll need to get a new I-20 form from them. This form verifies that you have been accepted as a full-time student at an eligible institution.

3. Once you have the new I-20, you'll need to notify United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of your transfer and update your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record.

Transferring as an international student can be a complex process but is absolutely possible. However, remember that satisfied transfer applicants are usually those who thoroughly researched their future college and communicated with both their current and future schools' international offices to navigate the specific requirements.

Please don't hesitate to seek guidance from the appropriate offices in your current and prospective institutions. They're there to provide assistance and make your transfer process go as smoothly as possible.