Transfer Student AdmissionAdmission

Transfer students are a welcome addition to the Gustavus community. They provide a unique perspective and enrich the campus with their previous college experience. Because the decision to transfer institutions can be a difficult one, we are here to help answer questions every step of the way. Please review this page carefully, then contact our transfer coordinator KP Pauly with any questions.

Transfer students should apply to Gustavus if they meet the following conditions:

Honorable standing at the previous college, including eligibility to return to the previous college in good standing
Evidence of normal progress toward a degree
A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4 (on a 4.0 scale)

How to Apply

Transfer applicants should submit the following to the Gustavus Admission Office:

The Common Application
Final high school transcript(s)
Transcripts from each college attended
The Gustavus Transfer Report

Please see Reactivated Applications if you were admitted to Gustavus within the last academic year but chose to enroll elsewhere.

Transfer Application Timeline

Gustavus welcomes applications from transfer students throughout the year. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis as transfer applicants complete their files. While there are no stated application deadlines, most successful transfer applicants complete their admission files weeks (if not months) in advance of their intended start term.

Fall Transfers: Transfer applicants intending to enroll at Gustavus beginning in the fall semester are welcome to apply as early as the preceding September or as late as the summer prior to enrollment. Fall semester classes at Gustavus typically begin the day after Labor Day.
Mid-Year Transfers: Mid-year applicants are welcome to apply as early as September or as late as January. Spring semester courses traditionally begin in the second week of February.
Reactivated Applications: Students who were admitted to Gustavus within the last academic year but chose to enroll elsewhere are eligible to request for their admission offer be reactivated. These students must submit a final high school transcript, college transcript(s) and the Gustavus Transfer Report in order to be considered for admission. To request for your admission offer to be reactivated, please contact KP Pauly.
Readmission for Former Students: Students who have attended Gustavus in the past without completing their degree, and who have not enrolled in another college or university full-time after leaving Gustavus, must complete the Application for Readmission found on the Gustavus Academic Support Center (ASC) Readmission Process website. Students who did enroll at another college or university after leaving Gustavus should instead follow the How to Apply steps listed above.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Because transfer applicants must first be admitted to Gustavus to receive financial aid, it is vital to complete an application as soon as possible. Please know that we are committed to making a Gustavus education affordable for students and are here to help them understand the scholarship and financial aid process.

Merit-based Aid: Admitted transfer applicants will be automatically considered for Gustavus scholarships. Notification of any awarded scholarships typically arrives within three weeks of an admission offer.
Need-based Aid: We encourage applicants to submit the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid (grants, loans, and student employment). A student may file a new FAFSA or go to studentaid.gov to add Gustavus to the list of schools that should receive a previously-completed FAFSA. If your family is not eligible to submit the FAFSA (due to citizenship status, for example), you must complete and submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to be considered for need-based financial aid.

Transferring Credit

Transfer students are eligible to transfer previously earned college credits to Gustavus. Transfer credit is awarded only after receipt of an official transcript from the host institution and is subject to the following standards:

One Gustavus course is the equivalent of four semester or six quarter credits.
Courses must be from another regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Courses must be appropriate for a college liberal arts curriculum.
Courses must be graded “C–” or higher.
Internships must meet Gustavus academic requirements and be approved in advance.

Courses at Gustavus are considered to be the equivalent of four semester hours or six quarter hours. Credits accepted in transfer are based on this formula. A minimum of 136 semester hours or 204 quarter hours is required for graduation at Gustavus. Two years (17 courses minimum) are required in residence, including the senior year. Acceptance of specific courses and their application to a Gustavus degree is the province of the Registrar and the chairpersons of the appropriate academic departments. The GPA from the previous college does not transfer. Students should check transferology or contact KP Pauly for more information about credit transfer.

Making Your Decision

Admitted transfer students who decide to enroll at Gustavus may make their intentions known by submitting a $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit. Information regarding class registration, housing, orientation and more will then be mailed as the semester approaches.

Class Registration: After paying the enrollment deposit, students will fill out a Registration Preference Form to become registered for courses at Gustavus. It is vital that a transfer student requests an official, final transcript be sent to Gustavus from their previous institution. Registration for fall semester classes begins in May. Registration for spring semester classes begins in November.
Housing: As a residential college, Gustavus expects students to live on campus throughout their time here. Transfer students will be placed in a residential option that is appropriate for their age and previous college experience. Information regarding housing will be mailed to transfer students after paying their enrollment deposit. Further questions regarding housing may be directed to Anthony Bettendorf, Director of Residential Life.
Orientation: We strive to make the transition to Gustavus a successful one. We know that you have been to college before, and therefore have different needs and questions than traditional first year students. For this reason, our Campus Activities Office coordinates an extremely helpful Transfer Student Orientation. More information will be mailed prior to your arrival on campus. Please contact Hayley Goddard, Assistant Director of Campus Activities, with further questions about orientation.

Interested?

Since special circumstances are often present for transfer students, please contact our transfer coordinator KP Pauly with any transfer-related questions. KP can elaborate on the above details and help you through the entire transfer process.