Transferring from one college to another is a process that can come with various questions. How long will it take to transfer? Will your completed course credits count in your new institution? Is there a specific admission representative you should speak to about transferring?

If you’re considering transferring to Chamberlain College of Nursing for a post-licensure program, Associate Director of Admissions James Pistorius offers the following tips and advice on how to best prepare for the move.

Where to start?

“When someone’s looking to transfer into one of our programs, I’d recommend they speak with an admission representative first,” said Pistorius. “This initial conversation lets us walk through the program with them and help them determine if it’s what they’re looking for.”

This conversation includes addressing both short-term and long-term goals for the student, what they hope to get out of the program, as well as an overview of the curriculum.

This is also the time when an advisor will help a student request their official transcripts from their current or previous institution.

“It’s important to get a head start on requesting transcripts, especially if the student is eager to get into our program and timing is a factor for them,” said Pistorius.

“We can put in the request, but it’s beyond our control how long it takes for the other college to respond. And when you do request your transcript, it can help to specifically ask for transcripts reflecting both nursing and liberal arts and sciences courses.”

The initial conversation with an admission representative is also a good time to bring up financial aid questions if you’re interested. The representative can provide Chamberlain’s school code (006385) for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and advise on the next steps.

Once a prospective transfer student’s transcripts are in hand, they are sent to the registrar. This is the college official who is responsible for keeping student records. “The registrar will complete your transcript evaluation based on the admission requirements for your program of interest.  Once complete, it’s sent back to your admission representative, who will call you to share the results with you.”

This is a very important step in the process, noted Pistorius. This evaluation and subsequent conversation are Chamberlain’s way of ensuring the student is aware of what credits will transfer, what the time commitment of the program will be and address any other concerns you have before entering the program.

Potential hurdles to avoid

Pistorius called out a few possible hurdles that transfer students may encounter, which can be easily avoided.

“For students who are transferring immediately from one program to another, there’s something they should be aware of if they’ve requested financial aid through FAFSA,” said Pistorius. “The government will randomly select applicants to verify the information they submitted. If that happens, having your information on hand for verification can avoid any delays.”

When it comes to overall timing, it’s possible for the admission process for transfer students to last as few as two weeks. But each student’s experience is different.

As you prepare to leave your current college for another, it’s also important to have paid any outstanding bills due to the institution. If there are holds on your account, a school may not release transcripts, impeding your ability to transfer.

“Even if you encounter hurdles, your admission representative is there to help smooth out anything that comes along. Part of our job is to help make this experience as stress-free as possible.”

If you’re interested in finding out more about transferring to Chamberlain, you can visit our transfer guide or reach out to an admission advisor at 877.751.5783.

By Ryan Segovich