There’s No “Wrong” Reason to Transfer

Four years for a bachelor's degree. Four years is a long time. It’s 1,456 days. It’s tens of thousands of dollars. 

It’s the jumping-off point for a career that’s supposed to last for at least 43 years. 

College is an experience, and there is no reason in the world you should be unhappy during it. In fact, it’s the last thing you should be. 

For all of the stress and pressure, college is the creation of a foundation. You want that foundation to be strong, so you can build on it and grow. Not to mention that you’re paying for it. 

As many as 40 percent of all college students end up transferring to a different college at least once during their education journey. So if you’re thinking about doing it, too, you’re not alone. 

Common Reasons to Transfer Colleges Include: 

• You don’t like the location of the school
• You don’t like the department or opportunities available in the department 
• You're switching majors 
• You started at community college to save money
• You started at a community college to lift your academic profile 
• You miss family
• Your mental health is suffering
• You're having roommate issues
• You are experiencing loneliness
• You have an internship or study abroad options
• You've got a monetary situation
• You didn’t get into your dream college on your first try
• [There is no bad reason to transfer]

Ultimately, reasons for transferring are many and varied, and none of them are bad or wrong or any other negative word. The prospect of four years of unhappiness is more than enough of a reason to assess your options and begin the college transfer process.

The transfer students we speak to are almost always happier after making the change. 

Getting Ready to Transfer Colleges

Figure out what’s not working for you at your current institution (too small, not the right major) and begin finding colleges that mitigate that problem. Speak with a transfer admission counselor and check on any articulation agreements. Start working on your transfer essay, gather all of the required forms, and keep a watchful eye on deadlines. 

Finding the Right Transfer College

There are thousands of great colleges and universities, and chances are that you’ll be much happier once you find the right fit. If you think it might be time to transfer to a different school, then let Appily help you stay organized while you search. 

When you create a profile and add schools in Appily, we’ll give you curated recommendations based on what you’re looking for in a college. Whether it’s a school that’s closer to home or has a better athletic program, we’ll help you find your perfect match. 

You can also search for scholarships and see each school’s transfer acceptance rate. Click the button below to let us know what your preferences are, and we’ll show you your perfect college match.