How to Negotiate with Colleges as a Transfer Student?

Hey, I'm thinking about transferring and I've heard it's possible to negotiate things like financial aid or housing. Has anyone done this successfully? What should I know or prepare before going into these discussions with colleges?

Sure, negotiations do happen quite often, especially when it comes to financial aid. As a transfer student, it's crucial to understand what each college offers and how flexible they are regarding negotiations.

Firstly, prepare a list of the items you're looking to negotiate on; financial aid, transferable credits, housing, etc. Know how much aid you'll need, which classes you want to grant credit for, and what your preferences are for housing.

To negotiate financial aid, you'd want to be sure you have already completed the FAFSA or any other required forms. If your financial circumstances have changed, or if the aid package you were offered isn’t sufficient, you can and should appeal. Have necessary information available such as proof of your (or your parents') income, savings, expenses, and costs not covered by financial aid, and explain why the current aid package doesn't meet your needs.

When it comes to credit transfer, have a detailed discussion with the respective department officials at the college you’re transferring to and ensure you understand which of your prior credits they're accepting. If you believe more of your credits should be accepted, show syllabi or detailed course descriptions from those courses and explain how they match with the ones at the new institution.

Negotiating housing is less common, but if you need specific accommodations or if the standard housing arrangement isn’t feasible for you, it’s worth discussing it.

Regardless, remember to be respectful and professional during the negotiations. Back up your case with as many facts as possible. And remember to be realistic - colleges have limitations on what they can offer, so recognize it might not be possible to negotiate everything.

It's always a good idea to do this process as early as possible, since some resources, like financial aid or housing, maybe more negotiable before they've been fully allocated for the year. Keep in mind also that while you’re negotiating, it’s equally important to express your enthusiasm for joining the college and how you plan to contribute to the campus community. Good luck!