<p>Hi everyone,
I don't want to ask the same question that's already been asked but I looked through the transfer threads I found and wanted to clarify & ask about a few things... </p>
<p>When's the right time to transfer? I'm a first semester freshman right now, but even though I'm 99% sure I'd transfer if given the opportunity I don't believe I should audition until the winter of sophomore year (want to see if I can MAYBE get into a different studio at my current school also give myself enough preparation time). Is coming in as a junior too late? I know I might not be considered a junior at the new place, but is it too late to transfer after spending two years elsewhere?</p>
<p>Is admission much more difficult for transfer students, given that they play up to the level of students already in that year at that school? How does that work..would I be competing for spots against first time freshmen, or just competing for the same spots but with different expectations for my audition?</p>
<p>And is there any chance at all for financial aid for transfers? I'm willing to save money from work and apply to as many outside scholarships as I can get my hands on, but I've read/heard that transfer scholarships are difficulty to come by. Is there literally no money to go around for transfers, or is there a chance to scrape up any form of aid?
Thank you all so much!</p>
<p>The policies are school specific. While some will accept freshmen transfers, others won’t. The other side of the coin is that most programs accepting transfers (music or academic) require a minimum of 60 credits be done “in residence” to confer a degree. This normally equates to about the end of sophomore year, contingent on credit load, how many credits will actually transfer, and repeat/new/additional degree requirements for the “new” program.</p>
<p>You have to identify your school options, and read the detail and requirements.</p>
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<p>Again, how schools evaluates transfers within audition pools will vary. Depending on the size, make up, and specific needs of a program any given year may dictate these parameters. They may need (due to internal attrition) to fill a studio, or ensemble populated by upperclassmen with a more accomplished candidate, and a transfer may serve to fill that. They may only allocate “x” number of spots for transfers, and make transfer decisions after admission offers to freshmen have been made. </p>
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Beyond what you would be eligible for from FAFSA, the only “guarantee” would be Stafford loans, and the other federal grants/income based loans. Talent money, academic scholarship policies is really a function of how each school allocates internal resources.</p>
<p>The basic answer is that MOST are not generous with money for transfers. But there are cases where transfers CAN receive exceptional financial packages. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, there are no across the board answers. Identify the programs that you anticipate applying to. Read the general and music specific transfer guidelines for each school, and initiate contact with the department. Most will not answer the question as to specifics, but will give you ranges for number of transfer applicants, percent of acceptances, as well as a range of potential talent and scholarship monies. Identifying students at your schools of interest and inquiring as to their experiences can also be extremely helpful.</p>