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The journey of a postsecondary student is not always as straightforward as applying and attending college or university right out of high school, finishing within two to four years. A student can take many different paths to achieve their goals in many cases – making each student’s experience unique.

Transfer students are precisely that. They are students whose postsecondary journeys are not as traditional compared to many of their peers. The path to getting their degree is a bit different from others. Let’s explore what makes your experience as a transfer student so unique and how you can find success in the application process.

Am I a Transfer Student?

See if you fit the criteria.   

There are multiple types of transfer students:

• College students looking to attend university after finishing a college program.
• University students looking to transfer to another university.
• People who took a hiatus from postsecondary studies and are looking to return to complete a degree.

Whatever category you fit into, applying for school should be as easy as possible. Don’t lose out on the opportunity for success and growth – follow the information below to streamline your experience.

Where to Start?

Research your interested program(s). 

When it comes to transferring schools, there are a few things you want to consider. Before applying anywhere, do some research on universities and their programs to find the best fit, including how to best optimize your transfer credits. Every institution offers their own set of transfer credits. For example, some universities have agreements with colleges that offer up to 10.0 credits – that's before you even start!

Many universities have agreements with various colleges. There are 2+2 agreements where a student does a two-year diploma at a college and then another two years at a university to upgrade to a degree. The best place to start your research for Ontario schools is by looking up programs on the  site by . You can also attend ONCAT's  in the Fall.

Done Your Research?

Start your application.   

Once you have done your research and found your program(s) of interest, it is time to apply. When applying to an Ontario university program, all prospects must apply through . OUAC is a centralized service that processes applications for admissions for all of Ontario's undergraduate, law, medical, rehabilitation sciences and teacher education programs.

Writing an Essay for Your Application?

Be authentic.

When it comes to the essay portion of your application, the best course of action is to be authentic. In other words: just be yourself. Admissions officers are often used to polished, achievement-oriented essays that speak only to grades and extracurriculars. However, admission officers also want to know about your experiences, passions and goals. They want to learn about the person they are bringing into their community – beyond the GPA.

Still Overwhelmed with Applying?

Ask for help.

While it may seem overwhelming, the best institutions will be there along the way to support you. Every school has admission advisors available for you to connect with. Do not hesitate to communicate with one if you are unsure about the application process. Their job is to assist you in your application process. Do not allow being overwhelmed to impede your chance to continue your journey and achieve your goals.

³Ô¹ÏÍø has pathways for all types of transfer students. If ³Ô¹ÏÍø is of interest to you, review our transfer student admission information.

Want to chat with someone directly? Connect with our admissions team at chooselaurier@wlu.ca