Transferring To Buffalo State University: A Guide For International Students

International students looking to transfer to Buffalo State University should be aware of the various requirements and steps necessary to ensure a smooth transition. The university welcomes international transfer students who can meet the academic demands of a flagship university. In this article, we will outline the key considerations for international students seeking to transfer to Buffalo State University, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and potential impacts on immigration status. We will also explore the diverse and vibrant community that international students can expect to find at the university.

Transferring from another US school

Understanding the Transfer Process

Before considering transferring, it is important to understand the transfer process, which typically involves two types of transfers: academic and immigration. The academic transfer includes the admission process and an evaluation of which credits will transfer to Buffalo State University. The immigration transfer involves transferring your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to the new school.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must meet specific requirements. Firstly, ensure that you have maintained your F-1 student status. Additionally, you must be admitted to Buffalo State University no later than the last day of the 60-day grace period after the end date on your I-20 form. It is important to continue attending classes at your current school until your transfer release date.

Transfer Timing

The timing of your transfer is crucial. You must begin classes at Buffalo State University within five months of your transfer release date or the last day you studied at your previous school, whichever is earlier. The transfer release date is the day your current school releases your SEVIS record to Buffalo State University.

Enrollment Exception

It is worth noting that there is an exception to the requirement to enroll during the next available session. If it is a summer vacation for which you are eligible, and you have been enrolled at a U.S. school for a full academic year, you can enroll within five months of your transfer release date.

Visa Considerations

If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you can use the same visa to study at Buffalo State University. Visas are entry permits that allow you to enter the U.S., and they do not determine how long you can stay. Therefore, unless you travel abroad before joining Buffalo State University, you can study there without renewing your visa, even if it has expired.

Transferring Credits

When transferring to Buffalo State University, you can transfer a maximum of 90 total credits. The university provides tools like the Transfer Credit Estimator and the Transfer Credit Appeal Form to help you understand how your credits will transfer and to petition any discrepancies.

Scholarships

Transfer students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and at least 24 college credits after graduating from high school are considered for transfer merit scholarships on a competitive basis.

Steps to Transfer

The steps to transfer to Buffalo State University as an international student are similar to those for domestic students. First, submit your application, request your transcripts, and accept your offer. Additionally, ensure that you understand the specific requirements and processes for international students by contacting the International Student Services Office.

Travel Considerations

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. during the transfer process, be cautious. If your transfer release date occurs while you are out of the country, you will need an updated Initial Form I-20 from Buffalo State University to re-enter the U.S. According to USCIS, it is best to avoid travel outside the country during this time.

Work Authorization

Keep in mind that any student work authorization you have through your previous school will be canceled on your transfer release date. If you have already been authorized for a summer internship by your original school, ensure that your transfer release date is after the internship ends.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

If you are on OPT, you can transfer to Buffalo State University during the 60-day grace period after your OPT, as long as the transfer release date falls within this period. Your OPT work authorization will end on your transfer release date, so if you wish to complete your OPT, ensure your transfer release date is after its conclusion.

SEVIS Fee

If you meet all the conditions for a SEVIS transfer, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.

Visa Status

If you are transferring and have plans to travel outside the U.S., re-entry is permitted, but you must use the I-20/DS-2019 issued by the school that currently holds your SEVIS record.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, you can contact Buffalo State University's Undergraduate Admissions office at (716) 878-4017 or by email at admissions@buffalostate.edu. For international student-specific inquiries, you can email intladmissions@buffalostate.edu.

Visa requirements

International students who wish to transfer to the University at Buffalo (UB) should be aware of the following visa requirements. Firstly, understand how your transfer might affect your immigration status. If you are already in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, you may be able to transfer your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record from your current school to UB. This is known as a SEVIS transfer, and eligibility requires maintaining your F-1 student status and being admitted to UB no later than the last day of the 60-day grace period after the end date on your I-20 (for F-1 students).

For F-1 students, it is important to continue attending classes at your current school until the transfer release date, which is when your current school releases your SEVIS record to UB. You must then begin classes at UB within 5 months of this date or the last day of your previous studies, whichever is earlier. An exception to this rule is during summer vacation, where eligibility requires prior enrolment at a U.S. school for a full academic year.

If you are a J-1 student, the rules for transferring are different, and you should contact UB's Office of International Education for advice. In the case that you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must leave the U.S. and re-enter with an Initial I-20.

Additionally, if you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT), you can transfer during the 60-day grace period after OPT, provided the transfer release date falls within this period. Your OPT work authorisation will end on the transfer release date, so if you wish to complete your OPT, ensure the transfer release date is after OPT ends.

If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you can use the same visa to study at UB, provided your visa and entries have not expired, and your immigration documents are in order. Visas do not dictate how long you can remain in the U.S., so you can study at UB without renewing your visa, even if it has expired, as long as you do not travel abroad before enrolment.

If you need to travel outside the U.S. during the transfer process, ensure you re-enter using the I-20/DS-2019 issued by the school that currently holds your SEVIS record.

Application process

The University at Buffalo (UB) welcomes international transfer students who are prepared to meet the rigorous academic demands of a flagship university. To apply as a transfer student, you must have completed secondary school and subsequently enrolled or studied one or more subjects at a college or university.

The application process for international transfer students at UB involves the following steps:

Submit Your Application

You can apply for admission via the ApplySUNY Application or the Coalition Application. A $50 non-refundable fee is required. However, veterans and spouses of veterans are exempt from paying the application fee. It is recommended to apply early in the semester before your intended transfer date.

Request Your Transcripts

You will need to provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have previously attended. If you have completed more than 24 college credit hours, UB will review your previous college academic record. If you have completed fewer than 24 credit hours, your high school transcript will also be considered along with your college record.

Accept Your Offer

Once you have received an offer of admission, you will need to accept it to secure your place at UB.

Understand Immigration Requirements

Before transferring to UB, ensure you understand how the transfer will affect your immigration status. If you are already in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, you may be able to transfer your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record from your current school to UB. To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must maintain your F-1 student status and meet certain timing requirements.

Review English Language Proficiency Requirements

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting test scores from one of the accepted English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Exemptions are available for applicants who meet specific criteria, such as citizenship of certain English-speaking countries and a native speaker of English.

Supplemental Requirements

Some academic programs at UB may have supplemental admission criteria, higher GPA requirements, departmental application deadlines, and limited capacity. Additionally, there may be specific requirements for international transfer students, such as visa requirements and financial documentation.

It is recommended to review the University at Buffalo's website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding the application process and requirements for international transfer students.

Scholarships

The university also offers transfer merit scholarships to students with at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA and who will have earned at least 24 college credits after graduating from high school. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.

In addition to scholarships offered directly by Buffalo State University, international students can also explore external scholarships and grants from nonprofit organisations and government programs. For instance, the University at Buffalo (UB) offers scholarships in varying amounts to qualified incoming international first-year students. UB also offers merit-based scholarships, athletic scholarships, and scholarships established by alumni and friends of the university.

Transferring credits

International students who have studied at another college or university after completing secondary school must apply as transfer applicants. Transfer applicants are assessed primarily on their college/university grades, with the University at Buffalo (UB) looking for students who excel academically, engage in extracurricular activities, and maintain a good school-life balance.

UB accepts credits from all two- and four-year regionally accredited institutions. To be considered for transfer admission, students must present a strong record of college study, earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. However, requirements may vary depending on the academic program, with some departments having supplemental admission criteria, higher GPA requirements, departmental application deadlines, and limited capacity.

Transfer students must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended. UB provides a Transfer Credit Estimator Tool to help students understand how their credits will transfer. A maximum of 90 total credits can be transferred. Students can also use the TAURUS (Transfer Articulation and University Requirements at UB System) tool to see how their credits will transfer.

Students transferring to UB from another SUNY institution should refer to the SUNY Transfer Policies page to learn about SUNY rules, guidelines, and procedures.

Frequently asked questions