Transfer Process
  1. Research Transfer Institutions: Students begin by identifying four-year institutions that accept transfer credits and align with their academic goals.
  2. Meet Application Requirements: This includes submitting transfer applications, transcripts, and any additional required materials (like recommendation letters or essays).
  3. Credit Evaluation: The new institution evaluates the student’s previous coursework to determine which credits will transfer and apply toward degree requirements.
  4. Financial Aid and Scholarships: Transfer students explore financial aid options, including scholarships specific to transfer students.
  5. Enrollment and Advising: After acceptance, transfer students meet with academic advisors to create a plan for completing their degree.
Transfer Majors vs Majors

When considering college transfer majors versus majors, the primary difference lies in the pathway or structure designed for the student.

1. Transfer Majors:

  • Purpose: These are designed for students who start their college education at a community college or a lower-level institution and plan to transfer to a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree.
  • Structure: Courses are tailored to meet the general education and major-specific requirements of the intended four-year institution, ensuring smooth transfer of credits.
  • Focus: More foundational courses, including general education and introductory courses in the major, to prepare students for upper-level coursework after transfer.
  • Advising: Students in transfer majors often follow “articulation agreements” or “transfer pathways” between the two-year and four-year schools to guarantee that their credits will transfer.
  • Flexibility: Transfer majors are often broader in scope, focusing on completing general education or pre-requisite requirements in areas such as liberal arts, business, or science.

Examples: – Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration (with intent to transfer to a Bachelor of Business Administration) – Associate of Science (AS) in Biology (preparing for a transfer to a four-year biology program)

2. Majors (Non-Transfer):

  • Purpose: These are the primary focus areas or fields of study chosen by students at four-year institutions or students who do not intend to transfer after completing their degree.
  • Structure: These programs are designed to cover introductory to advanced-level courses within a specific discipline, with the goal of completing a degree within that institution.
  • Focus: Depth of knowledge and specialized skills in a particular area of study. Courses build sequentially, from general education requirements to focused major-specific courses.
  • Advising: Students are guided by advisors to meet the requirements of their major, including internships, research opportunities, and electives within the chosen field.
  • Specialization: Majors offer more specific tracks, concentrations, or electives that allow students to delve deeply into their area of interest.

Examples: – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science – Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts

Key Differences:

  • Transfer majors focus on preparing students to transition to a four-year university, while non-transfer majors are the direct pathway to completing a degree within one institution.
  • Transfer majors emphasize general education and foundational courses for later transfer, whereas non-transfer majors include upper-level, major-specific coursework.
Transfer Guarantee

Iowa’s private colleges offer a Guaranteed Admission program to help community college students transfer smoothly to four-year institutions. This initiative ensures that students who meet specific requirements can transfer seamlessly and pursue their bachelor’s degrees.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Complete the Application Process:
    • Submit a transfer application to the participating Iowa private college.
    • No application fees required for transfer students under this program.
  2. Cumulative GPA Requirement:
    • Students must meet a minimum cumulative GPA, typically between 2.0 and 3.0, depending on the institution.
  3. Earn an Associate Degree:
    • Students must be pursuing an Associates of Arts or Associate of Science degree at an Iowa Community College.
  4. Official Transcripts:
    • Have official transcripts sent from all previously attended post-secondary institutions to the transfer college.

Benefits:

  • Admission Guarantee: Qualified students are assured admission to participating Iowa private colleges, making the transfer process more predictable and transparent.
  • Credit Transfer: Courses completed as part of the associate degree will fulfill general education and elective requirements at the receiving institution, allowing students to focus on major-specific courses upon transfer.

For more information or to see participating colleges, please contact the admissions office of your chosen Iowa private college via the chart below.

Institution IPTG Participant Application Deadline Cumulative GPA required
Allen College No Varies by program. Refer to website. Varies by program*
Briar Cliff University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.0*
Buena Vista University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.9*
Central College Yes Rolling Admissions 2.7/2.7*
Clarke University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.5*
Coe College Yes December 10 (preferred) 2.5+*
Cornell College Yes April 1 2.7*
Dordt University No August 15 3.2*
Drake University Yes Fall July 1; Spring December 1; Summer April 15 2.0 / 2.0*
Graceland University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.00*
Grand View University Yes Varies by program. Varies by program*
Grinnell College No November 15: Early Decision 1 / January 5: Early Decision 2 / January 15: Regular Decision Evaluation on individual basis*
Loras College Yes No deadline 2.5/4.0*
Luther College Yes Rolling Admissions 2.7*
Mercy College of Health Sciences No 2.25*
Morningside University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.25*
Mount Mercy University Yes No application deadline, but students should apply at least 2-weeks prior to the start of the semester. Evaluation on individual basis*
Northwestern College Yes Rolling Admissions 2.25*
Simpson College Yes Rolling Admissions 2.5*
St. Ambrose University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.0*
St. Luke's College No St. Luke's College has a rolling application; applications are accepted until the class is full. 2.5*
University of Dubuque Yes Rolling Admissions 2.0*
Wartburg College Yes Rolling Admissions 2.0*
William Penn University Yes Rolling Admissions 2.00*

*More details are shared on the individual institution profiles.