Transfer Admission

If you’re exploring new pathways to success on your educational journey, you’re welcome at Mount Holyoke. Here, you’ll find challenging academics that empower you to discover your full potential and a community that will celebrate you for who you are. Our close-knit campus, strong traditions, and dedicated resources for transfer students mean that you’ll quickly feel at home here.

We know that transfer students have different concerns than first-year students. Prior to matriculation, we’ll work directly with you to evaluate credits. During orientation, you’ll find programming designed especially for you, and that transfer support is continued — both formally and informally — throughout your time at the College.

Am I eligible to apply as a transfer?

If you’ve graduated high school and have earned between 16 and 64 transferable college credits, you are eligible to apply as a transfer.

Approximately 50 transfer students come to us each year from community colleges, and public, private, and international colleges and universities. We are proud members of the Transfer Scholars Network.

Transfer students who are over the age of 25, who are veterans or who have a dependent other than a spouse must apply as Frances Perkins Scholars.

A few things to know as you prepare to apply:

• You may apply for either spring or fall transfer consideration.
• Submit your application and supporting materials by the posted deadlines.
• Submit official transcripts from all secondary and postsecondary institutions attended — we cannot accept unofficial transcripts.
• If you plan to apply for need-based financial aid, be sure to submit those documents at the same time you submit your admission application.

Application Materials

To apply, candidates should submit the following:

• The Common Application for Transfers, including a personal essay and a “Why are you considering Mount Holyoke College?” essay.
• Official high school transcript (if your transcript is not in English, notarized translations are required alongside original documents).
• Letters of recommendation:
  • If currently enrolled in coursework, two letters of academic evaluation are required.
  • If not currently enrolled, two letters of academic evaluation or personal/professional recommendations are required.
• Mid-Year report for those currently enrolled in college.
• Interview (optional, but strongly encouraged).
• Art supplement (optional).
• English proficiency requirements for nonnative English speakers.
• International Financial Declaration (required for non-U.S. citizens).

How we read applications

We value proven academic excellence and pay close attention to your recent performance in college-level coursework. (Read more about transferring credits.) But who you are as a person matters in our review too. We’re excited by transfer applicants who value some of the same things we do, including boundless curiosity, a commitment to open-mindedness and a desire to make a positive impact — whether on a personal, community or global level.

Connect

Have more questions about transferring to Mount Holyoke? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!