Transferring To University Of Michigan: What You Need To Know

The University of Michigan does accept transfer students, with 16% of its student body made up of transfer students. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions reviews applications for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and the College of Engineering (COE). Transfer students are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges, a $75 application fee or fee waiver request, proof of high school completion, a list of all current and future courses, and test scores. Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency.

Transfer application requirements

The University of Michigan does accept transfer students. The admissions office reviews transfer applications for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and the College of Engineering.

LSA and Engineering Application Materials

All LSA and Engineering transfer students are required to submit the following prior to the deadline date:

• Completed Common Application, along with a $75 application fee or fee waiver request.
• Proof of high school completion: Final official high school/secondary school record (including 9th-12th grades and graduation date) or GED exam results sent directly from the institution to ugtranscri[email protected]
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including college transcripts from any dual enrollment courses, sent directly from the institution via a transcript service or to [email protected].
• List of all current and future courses
• Test Scores: TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc. if English is not your first language. Optional: ACT/SAT (only tests taken as a high school student will be accepted). Students are welcome to self-report test scores directly on the application.
• Not required unless requested: Academic Evaluator/Instructor recommendation, college report, and midyear report

Engineering Requirements

Competitive applicants to Michigan Engineering will have completed all of the required prerequisite courses, with direct equivalent credit, prior to their intended term of enrollment at U-M, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Michigan Engineering requires the following courses to be "completed", "in-progress", or "planned" at the time of application:

• Calculus I (equivalent to U-M Math 115)
• Calculus II (equivalent to U-M Math 116)
• 1 Calculus Based Physics + Lab (equivalent to U-M Physics 140 + 141 or U-M Physics 240 + 241)
• 1 General College Chemistry + Lab (equivalent to U-M Chemistry 130 + 125 + 126 or Chemistry 210 + 211)
• 1 Computing Course (equivalent to U-M EECS 183 or ENGR 101)
• 1 First Year English Composition

If AP credit is awarded for Calculus I (equivalent to U-M Math 115) and/or Calculus II (equivalent to U-M Math 116), then Calculus 3 (equivalent to U-M Math 215) becomes a requirement. If English is not your native language, you must also provide proof of English proficiency.

LSA Requirements

Students applying to transfer to LSA must be in good standing, both academically and behaviorally, at the institution(s) attended. The University of Michigan considers the college grade point average, the quality and quantity of transferable college credit, TOEFL/MET scores (if applicable), and the quality of high school credentials (including grades, strength of curriculum, and standardized test scores if provided) during the transfer review process. The closer a student is to having 60 transferable credits, the less the student's high school work will be used in the evaluation.

Non-native speakers of English must provide proof of English proficiency. While a specific number of earned credits is not required, competitive transfer candidates typically have two or more semesters of transferable graded college coursework at the time of application. Students with less than two semesters of graded college work at the time of application will have more emphasis placed upon the high school academic record as part of the evaluative process.

Transfer deadlines

The University of Michigan does accept transfer students, and the transfer deadlines vary depending on the school or college within the university.

College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA)

To transfer to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, you must demonstrate a well-rounded course of study that fulfils basic requirements and includes prerequisite courses.

College of Engineering (COE)

For the College of Engineering, you must have completed the required prerequisite courses with a letter grade of "C" or better and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

School of Music, Theatre & Dance

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance has a separate application deadline of December 1.

Other Schools and Colleges

The University of Michigan has over 19 schools and colleges, including the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. For specific transfer requirements and deadlines for these schools, it is recommended to visit their websites or contact their admissions teams directly.

General Transfer Deadlines

The University of Michigan's transfer deadlines are broken down by season: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. While specific dates are not provided, it is advised to submit your application at least one week before the required deadline to ensure ample time for review and to avoid any last-minute mistakes.

Transfer acceptance rate

The University of Michigan does accept transfer students. The University of Michigan's transfer acceptance rate is higher than its first-year acceptance rate. For the fall of 2022, the transfer acceptance rate was 36.6%, with 5,633 students applying and 2,062 being accepted. The acceptance rate for male transfer applicants was 33.4%, while the rate for female applicants was 40.5%. The transfer acceptance rate for the previous year, 2021, was 42%.

The University of Michigan's transfer acceptance rate has been consistent over the last few years, and the school welcomes over 2,000 transfer applicants to campus each year. The university offers spring, summer, fall, and winter transfer options. The transfer deadline for spring, summer, and fall applicants is February 1, while the deadline for winter applicants is October 1.

The transfer requirements for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and the College of Engineering include submitting the Common App for Transfer, final high school transcripts, official college transcripts, a list of all current and future courses, and SAT/ACT scores (optional). Letters of recommendation and academic reports are also optional, unless requested.

Competitive transfer applicants to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will have taken a strong curriculum of transferable college courses that satisfy LSA distribution requirements and align with their academic area of interest or major. For the College of Engineering, applicants must have completed all the required prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Transferring from community college

The University of Michigan does accept transfer students from community colleges. In fact, for Fall 2021, the university received 1,364 transfer applications from community college students, of which 568 were admitted.

The University of Michigan offers a range of resources and support for transfer students, including a transfer team that can assist with any questions or concerns throughout the process. The university also offers a Community College Summer Fellowship Program for currently enrolled community college students in Michigan interested in transferring.

To be considered for transfer to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), you must demonstrate a strong curriculum of transferable college courses. The university is looking for classes that satisfy LSA distribution requirements, align with your academic area of interest/major, and/or demonstrate progression of curriculum (upper-level coursework).

To be considered for transfer to the College of Engineering, you must complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. The required courses include:

• Calculus I and II
• One Calculus-based Physics + Lab
• One General College Chemistry + Lab
• One Computing Course
• One First-Year English Composition

Additionally, non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency.

Application Process

The University of Michigan requires the following materials for transfer applications:

• Completed Common Application, along with a $75 application fee or fee waiver request
• Proof of high school completion: Final official high school/secondary school record (including 9th-12th grades and graduation date) or GED exam results
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including college transcripts from any dual enrollment courses
• List of all current and future courses
• Test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc., if English is not your first language. ACT/SAT scores are optional but welcomed if taken as a high school student.

It is important to note that the University of Michigan reviews applications holistically and considers factors such as college work, grades, course distribution, and your high school record. Transfer applications with junior standing (55 transferable credit hours) are typically given priority, and high school work is de-emphasized in the evaluation process.

Transferring to the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA)

The University of Michigan welcomes transfer students, who are considered an integral part of the campus community. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions reviews applications for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA).

Transfer Requirements for LSA

To successfully transfer to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), you must demonstrate that your course of study is balanced on a foundation of general education courses that fulfill basic requirements. You will also need to show that you have completed prerequisite or required courses that enable you to focus on a particular major at Michigan.

LSA transfer applicants will have taken a strong curriculum of transferable college courses. The evaluative process will consider classes that satisfy LSA distribution requirements, align with academic areas of interest/major, and/or demonstrate progression of curriculum (upper-level coursework).

Application Materials

All LSA transfer students are required to submit the following prior to the deadline:

• Completed Common Application, along with a $75 application fee or fee waiver request
• Proof of high school completion: Final official high school/secondary school record (including 9th-12th grades and graduation date) or GED exam results sent directly from the institution to the University of Michigan
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including college transcripts from any dual enrollment courses, sent directly from the institution via a transcript service or to the University of Michigan. An explanation is required for any Ws, Is, or gaps in education, which should be provided in the "additional information" section of the Common Application
• List of all current and future courses
• Test Scores: TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc. if English is not your first language. ACT/SAT scores are optional and only tests taken as a high school student will be accepted
• Academic Evaluator/Instructor recommendation, college report, and midyear report are not required unless requested

Additional Information

• It is highly recommended that all required documents be submitted electronically via your application vendor or an online document service
• A fee waiver may be available if certain criteria are met. International students are typically not eligible for fee waivers
• Tribal-enrolled American Indian or Alaska Native applicants may qualify for a waiver of all Common Application filing fees
• Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency
• A specific number of earned credits is not required, but competitive transfer candidates typically have two or more semesters of transferable graded college coursework at the time of application
• Students with less than two semesters of graded college work at the time of application will have more emphasis placed upon their high school academic record as part of the evaluative process

Frequently asked questions