What Makes a Competitive Transfer Student? Part I

Hoos looking to transfer?  Are you?  Do you know about the transfer course requirements for your College/School? 

*Voice inside your head*: Wait – isn't UVA the school I’m transferring to? 

*Voice from UVA*: Well, yes, but you need to go a step further.  

 

Think of the University of Virginia as a name, and there are columns under that name for support.  UVA is the name, and the college and schools are the columns that support that name.  The college and schools (the columns) are where the majors live.   

 

🏎️Insert visual detour🏎️   Safety warning: Please keep your arms inside the ride during all times.  I’m a visual person.  Go with me on this...      

 

                                                  

 

Now, there are actually eight “columns” under the UVA name students can transfer into: 

1. College of Arts and Sciences 
2. School of Architecture 
3. McIntire School of Commerce 
4. School of Education and Human Development 
5. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences 
6. School of Nursing 
7. Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy 
8. School of Continuing and Professional Studies (UVA’s Online Program Options) 

 

~Hence the College and Schools reference~ 

 

Under each one of those “columns” lives different majors for students to pursue.  More than 80 majors actually, under all the schools/college.  *See that College of Arts and Sciences up there?☝️ Art, Bio, English, etc.  Now you’re getting the picture.👀🖼️* 

 

So, after that fun little ride🎢, let’s get back to what makes a competitive transfer applicant: Transfer Course Requirements.  That’s right, say it with me, transfer course requirements.  Each school/college has a list of courses they are most interested in seeing transfer students complete or be enrolled in at the time of applying.  The more of those courses you have or are enrolled in, the more competitive of a candidate you are and hopefully, the smoother your transition to UVA, if offered admission.  Each school/college has their own list.  Some give specific courses – i.e. Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Introduction to Business; some give board subjects– i.e. Social Science, Humanities; some give categories with examples – i.e. Natural Sciences: Astronomy, Chemistry, etc. 

 

Think of it like this – work your way backwards from your goal.🔙  Is your goal to be an English major?  Great!  English lives in the College of Arts & Sciences.  You want to look at the College of Arts and Sciences and see what their section lists and try to have as many of those courses as possible.  Or maybe you know your goal is to be an Engineer, but you’re not super sure which area of Engineering yet.  No problem.  Look at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, their list, and try to have as many of those courses as possible. 

Now, you may be wondering (or you should be wondering), “How do I know which courses at my institution cover those categories to make me a more competitive applicant?”  Great question!💡  I’m so glad you asked me!  This is where our Transfer Credit Equivalencies database comes into play. You can enter your institution, and it will return results to you of past courses that have been submitted for transfer credit.  Keep in mind that is list is growing and does not include all courses, so if you don’t see your course that does not mean it doesn’t transfer.  It may not have been submitted yet.  If it’s been submitted and it does not transfer, we’ll tell you. 

 

Side note: VCCS students, this is for you - keep an eye out for the next part 2️⃣ as we’ll have more specific information on paths for your transfer through Guaranteed Admission Agreements and transfer guides to help give more direction.  More to come! 

 

The Transfer Course Requirements and the Transfer Credit Equivalencies partnered together, help to provide a guide for students looking to transfer to UVA and what helps to make them a most competitive applicant.  Last piece here, can't forget it, grades!  Courses and your success in those courses (grades) are the largest piece of the picture we are looking at in the whole story of who you are - academically and personally - as a person and if you are a competitive applicant.  

 

We hope this is a helpful big picture of transferring to UVA.  Again, more to come.  Keep checking back with us for more details and VCCS student specific information. 

 

Until next time, happy transferring!💙🧡  

 

-The Office of Undergraduate Admission (OUA) Transfer Team