I'm clueless about Transfer Admissions! Help!

<p>I'm going to Michigan State next year, or a community college. I don't want to stay at MSU all 4 years, I want to transfer.</p>

<p>Can you transfer after 1 year? 1 semester? Do they want to see 2 years? What is the recommended time to transfer? Is it harder to gain acceptance as a transfer? Do community college transfers have an advantage as to transfers from other schools? What is taken into consideration, besides your college GPA? How heavily are those factors in the decision-making process? How will my credits transfer? Will they transfer better from MSU or a CC, or doesn't it matter?</p>

<p>I'm planning on applying to Michigan, UNC, and Virginia as a transfer. Also considering Texas and USC. Business is my major, so i'd be applying to each school's B-School (Ross, Kenan-Flagler, McIntire, McCombs, and Marshall).</p>

<p>Thanks! I need help!</p>

<p>I'm finishing up my first year at college and I applied for transfer to another institution. If you know you don't want to stay at the school you're going to, there's no point in waiting two years. There's no problem in applying during your first year at college. I don't think college care if you've had two years vs. one at a college. It's just not a factor. </p>

<p>I also found that applying as a transfer was easier than applying as a freshman. I got into three of the four schools I applied to, and two of them were schools that denied me the year before (one had deferred then wait-listed me, the other had flat out rejected me). The one I didn't get into I had also applied to last year. I don't know how common a transfer story this is, but it is what happened for me. Also, my interviews went much better this year b/c I was really laid back. Afterall, I was already in college so the worst that could happen was that I'd stay where I was. Having the extra confidence as a transfer student really helps, I think. </p>

<p>Finally, how are your grades? Colleges love to see good grades from transfers, especially for your top schools, b/c it shows you can cut it in college, since you're already there. Mine went up from hs to college, so I'm sure that helped. Anyway, hope this was helpful. I have a tendency to get long winded :-)</p>

<p>P.S. </p>

<p>trying to transfer to a school for spring semester of your first year at college is iffy, since schools wont be able to see any evidence of your college level work before they have to admit you. Some schools will let you come after only one semester, but I think most do not. You really have to check each school's policy. All in all, it's better to have at least one semester of school under your belt before you apply anywhere for transfer.</p>

<p>pihiplyr13, it's up to you, but what you're doing doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. You're treating MSU as if it's a community college. If your intent is to go to one of the elite business schools, then why waste your money and effort at a quality, major school like MSU? Just go straight to a CC, do well, and then transfer wherever you want.</p>

<p>Well, the thing is, at U of M, they don't take Accounting Credits from any CCs, only universities. Also, if I have trouble adjusting to college, i'd like to have a school to fall back on, not have only mediocre in-state schools (like Northern Mich, GVSU) as options to transfer to. I also want a college experience, which I won't get at a CC, (go to sporting events, have a roommate, and others).</p>

<p>It seems like all colleges don't care when you transfer, as long as it's freshman or sophomore year, and don't give preference to U's or CC's (except for UM, which won't accept accounting from CC's). And that your college GPA is only the most important when you are applying for a Junior standing, because applying for Sophomore standing, you only have one semester of college grades to show universities. </p>

<p>I'm going to go to MSU, get courses in, and apply in the Winter of 2007 to schools. I may even stay at MSU as I have good money there.</p>

<p>would tansfer lengthen your times till graduation?</p>

<p>I don't think so. As long as your credits transfer over fine, you shouldn't be set back a semester/year.</p>

<p>I have another question.</p>

<p>Should I be re-taking the ACT/SAT in the fall if i'm keeping my transfer options open? I could possibly shoot for higher schools then?</p>

<p>Are the average SAT/ACT scores for incoming freshman about the same as the average SAT/ACT scores for transfers?</p>