Easiest Schools to Transfer Into Based on Admission Rates

Northeastern’s world-class academics and stellar school spirit are bound to welcome you warmly come fall. Northeastern requires applicants to complete either 12 college-level credit hours after high school graduation “or have attempted at least one semester of full-time coursework and maintained enrollment through the add/drop period” in order to apply as a transfer student. Additionally, the university is test-optional through 2026, allowing students the choice regarding whether or not to submit their ACT or SAT scores.

Tulane University offers a transfer admissions rate of over 49%—a whopping 335.18% increase over their freshman admission rate of 11.45%. Students seeking transfer admission to Tulane may apply for fall or spring admission, and like Northeastern, Tulane is test-optional. The institution seeks to admit applicants with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, so you should strive to make sure that your performance at your current institution stacks up to the talented and competitive transfer applicant pool for this New Orleans institution.

This prestigious Ivy League university also accepts a significantly greater percentage of transfer applicants as compared to freshman applicants, with a transfer admission rate more than three times as high as its freshman admission rate! Even so, admission to Columbia remains competitive, and the institution requires students to complete at least 24 points of credit (the equivalent of one year of full-time study) by the time they enroll.

UCLA offers a 24.42% transfer admission rate and is a fantastic option for transfer students. As a state institution, the UC system prioritizes transfers from California community colleges, so these students reap the majority of the higher admission rate benefits. The UC system then prioritizes transfers from other UC campuses, making it a particularly good option for students seeking to transfer out of other UC schools. The median transfer GPA, 3.88 for the fall of 2023, and more information about transferring to UCLA can be found here!

Barnard College’s transfer admission rate is nearly triple that of its freshman admission rate. Barnard allows students to apply to transfer in both the fall and spring, allowing students more flexibility when choosing which semester they want to apply. The all-female college gives transfer students the exciting opportunity to study in New York City and take Ivy League courses at Columbia University!

Vanderbilt’s transfer admissions rate is more than double its freshman admissions rate, making it a stellar choice from students considering transferring. Students seeking transfer admission to Vanderbilt must apply in the spring for fall admission. Vanderbilt reports that approximately 275 transfer students join their school each fall! While the priority application deadline is March 15th, Vanderbilt reviews transfer applications on a rolling basis throughout the spring and typically stops accepting new applications by May 1st.

Berkeley, renowned for its academic prowess, vibrant campus culture, and groundbreaking research initiatives, has a transfer admissions rate more than double its freshman admissions rate! Berkeley only accepts transfer students for the fall semester and gives priority to applicants from community colleges, but students attending other institutions are welcome to apply! According to Berkeley’s admissions website, transfer applications are evaluated through a comprehensive review process that places particular emphasis on academics.

Ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States and offering a 36.16% transfer admission rate, Georgia Tech is a fantastic option for transfer students, especially those seeking to study engineering. If that sounds like you, you should devote time to researching and understanding the school’s transfer requirements for each major, and making a plan to fulfill your requirements in time for the deadline relevant to your intended application cycle. Georgia Tech accepts fall, spring and summer transfer applicants, offering you flexibility as you work to complete your transfer requirements.

Notre Dame seeks to admit applicants who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and “who will enrich our campus through their involvement, passions, [and] care for others.” As you consider transferring, keep in mind that Notre Dame looks for applicants with a competitive GPA, often hovering around 3.75 or higher, and who have completed a minimum of 24 transferable credits.

A top-ranked public university with an international pedigree in the arts, business, and sciences, UMich’s transfer admission rate is almost twice its freshman admission rate. Furthermore, with transfer-specific advising, mentoring, and housing services, the school is bound to have you chanting, “Go Blue!” before you know it.