Options for going back to school

Step 2 – Apply for Admission

Applying to college is fairly straight forward. However, you may be confused about which application process to use.

What is the difference between a first-time student and a transfer student?

First-Time Student – You have a high school diploma or GED, and have no college experience or college credits. Once admitted, you will be considered a freshman.

Transfer student – After graduating from high school, you attended and earned credit at a college. The number of college credits transferred will determine whether you are admitted as a freshman, sophomore, or junior.

Common Question: Are the admissions criteria for first-time students and transfer students different?

Yes. The GPA requirement for a transfer student is typically lower because it is presumed that their previous coursework – in college – was more challenging than the previous work of someone coming from high school.

Visit your target university’s admissions page to see which criteria will apply to you.