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Transfer Admissions: What Selective Colleges REALLY Look For

Ask Dr. Hoffman

10,750 views

Thinking about transferring colleges?

In this video, I explain how the college transfer process really works, especially at highly selective colleges and universities. I spent the last two decades as an admissions officer at Swarthmore and Vanderbilt - and I have advice for you.

We cover:
👉 Why students transfer
👉 How transfer admissions differs from high school admissions
👉 What colleges prioritize in transfer applications
👉 Community college transfer pathways
👉 Financial aid and scholarships for transfer students
👉 Transfer timelines, deadlines, and the Common App

Whether you’re a current college student, a high school student planning ahead, or a parent supporting the process, this video breaks it all down.

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9 Comments

@mikebarnes2294 7 months ago

Wish I could have used a service like you are offering back when I did my community college to 4-year university transfer. (Worked out okay for me, but didn't get into my first choice of 4-year school)

@Motivation_.235 4 months ago

can i transfer from CC to csu completing all units and 3/4 major requirements but missing one major requirement. i have also met the gpa requirments.

@MagicalGirlContractor 3 months ago

Hi im a person who last attended hs ten years ago. My goal is St. Andrews U. in Scotland. Do you think it possible or wise to try and apply after a year?

@masonstjean2512 6 months ago

Hey Dr. Hoffman,

I had a 3.98 GPA in highschool but only took 2 APs and Dual enrollment courses due to a weird system in my highschool where I had to take two block periods for my sport football. I have a 4.0 at 4 year institution after one semester and am on track to maintain this 4.0 semester at this state university with 37 total credits by the end of my freshman year. Would that lack of rigor in highschool negatively affect my application?

Thank you so much for your help with this process!! It’s been very stressful but your videos are excellent. I only applied to Vanderbilt and am waiting to hear back this month!

@WesternApe 7 months ago

What about veterans?

@망고-m4b 6 months ago

If i had low gpa in high school but keep a 4.0 gpa at a 4yr institution, isn.t it a good thing? What do you mean high school grades are still reviewd- do they look for improvement or just high high school gpa assuming im tranferring as a rising soohomore

@joecool-p7j 6 months ago

you bring up a point about Swathmore, and how there were some years when you couldn't take in cs or eng students. if i recall correctly swathmore doesnt admit by major rather they admit by class. so if what you said is the case then do college "implicitly" admit by major then even if they stipulate otherwise?

@TWISHAPATEL-r4w 2 months ago

I am an international student who will apply for transferring after 1st year of a 4 year bachelor's degree. I had a question about extracurriculars, will they look at my extracurriculars in hs? Because I didn't really have access to any (I was preparing for competitive exams in my country and was enrolled in a coaching that only cares about merit and nothing else).. If I have good grades in 12th garde but most of my extracurriculars are from college 1st year, will that be a problem??

@OhmMyStanley 6 months ago

Hey Dr. Hoffman. I had a question regarding my current portfolio.

I am a transfer student from community college that will be applying for transfer into the fall 2027 semester and I want to know if there is anything else I can add on my portfolio.

I have a 3.99 GPA

I work as a Power Systems engineer where I contribute to 25% of the total engineering output and 50% of the design with an incoming internship at Siemens for summer 2027, a company equal to the relevance of FAANG for my specialization and interest (Power and Energy)

I am in the student government, president of the ESA (Engineering Student Association) and founder of the IEEE Student Branch, I am also a member of PTK (Phi Theta Kappa honor society)

I am going to research with a Professor from a local state school and most likely get a research paper published by the end of the year

I was on the Dean's list every semester

I am currently a freshman at my community college and wanted to get your opinion