Navigating Transfer Applications and High School Grades

When transferring colleges, does my high school need to send my grades to the new institution? Or is my college transcript all they require? I graduated quite a while ago, so I want to make sure I'm prepared.

Colleges each have their own policies when it comes to evaluating transfer applicants, but in many cases, only your college grades will be required. However, some institutions may ask for your high school transcripts, especially if you've just finished your first year of college or if you've taken fewer credits.

Rules around this can vary greatly depending on the specific university you are applying to transfer to so it's best to check directly with the admissions offices of those schools. They can give you the most accurate information about what they require from transfer applicants.

If you do need to submit your high school transcripts, your former high school or school district should have a process in place for you to request them, even if it has been a long time since you graduated. Typically, you fill out a request form and there might be a small fee associated with the transcript request.

Remember to factor in the time it takes to process these requests. It can take a few weeks for your high school to put together and send out your transcript, so you'll want to make sure you request them well in advance of any transfer application deadlines.

You'll also want to consider other factors that colleges might look for from transfer students, such as any prerequisites the college requires for your intended major. Sometimes these are listed on the institution's website, or you could contact the department directly. In addition, get in touch with the financial aid office so you understand what transferring will mean for your financial aid package.