Transferring To Auburn University: Application Tips For Success

Auburn University welcomes transfer students and offers a range of resources to help them transition smoothly. The application process involves submitting official transcripts, evaluating transfer credits, and meeting admission requirements, which vary based on the number of transferable college credits. Transfer students can also apply for scholarships, and those eligible for Pell grants can receive a transfer admission application fee waiver. The university provides extensive support, including the Pathway and Transfer Center, to ensure a positive transfer experience.

Application process and requirements

The application process and requirements for transfer students at Auburn University vary depending on the number of transferable hours of college coursework completed at the time of enrolment. The university's Office of Undergraduate Admissions handles transfer admission and requirements.

To be eligible for transfer, applicants must have taken at least 24 hours of college work after graduating from high school and be transferring credits to Auburn University. Applicants must also be in good standing and eligible to re-enter all institutions previously attended.

Transfer students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission will be evaluated using a holistic review. Factors considered in this additional evaluation include the level of academic achievement, including cumulative transfer GPA, the rigor of the curriculum, and consistency in course completion.

To apply, applicants are encouraged to send their documents electronically through services like Parchment, National Clearing House, SCOIR, or Scribbles. If unable to do so, official copies can be mailed to the address provided on the Auburn University website. All information requested from the applicant must be received by the University at least 30 days before the first day of the semester. The university will then make a determination within 45 days of receiving all requested information.

Additionally, transfer students must submit official transcripts as soon as possible to ensure that the Auburn credit awarded is reflected in their record before the SOS Orientation session. Auburn University will accept transfer credits from accredited institutions, and the evaluation process will consider accreditation, recognition, and course transferability.

Finally, transfer students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $250 to confirm their admission.

Transferring academic credits

Auburn University's evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits for coursework from other postsecondary institutions will be based on official transcripts. To be eligible for evaluation, the coursework must appear on an official transcript from the institution that offered the course and initially conferred the credit. The university generally does not accept transfer credits that are technical or remedial in nature.

Transfer credits are accepted from domestic post-secondary institutions accredited by one of the six associations, including the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Offices (AACRAO). They are also accepted from international colleges and universities accredited or approved by their country's Ministry of Education or other appropriate governmental agency.

The maximum number of transfer hours that can be applied to degrees, majors, minors, and certificates is limited. Lower-level equivalencies are determined by the Office of the Registrar, while upper-level equivalencies are determined by the college or unit that houses the discipline.

A pending credit is a temporary credit given to a transfer course that is in the process of being evaluated by the respective department for Auburn credit. Once an equivalent has been determined, the pending credit will be removed, and the AU equivalent will be awarded. If there is no specific match, a general elective credit may be awarded.

It is important to note that transfer credit will not be accepted as a repeat attempt for an Auburn University course for which a student has used the Grade Adjustment Policy. Students must complete the repeat attempt at Auburn University.

Admissions criteria

To apply as a transfer student to Auburn University, you must submit your application through the Admission Office. The admissions criteria vary based on the total number of transferable hours of college coursework you have completed at the time of enrolment.

Auburn University accepts transfer students from both domestic and international accredited institutions. To be eligible for admission, you must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of college work after graduating from high school. Additionally, you must be in good standing and eligible for re-entry to all institutions previously attended.

The university will evaluate your transfer courses for potential credit. Coursework that is technical or remedial in nature is generally not accepted for credit. Transfer courses that are considered 'Core' will be evaluated by the University Transcript Evaluator in the Office of the Registrar. All other courses will be reviewed by the respective department.

If you are transferring from a college or university outside the United States, your coursework must be accredited or approved by the Ministry of Education (or other appropriate governmental agency) of the country in which the institution is located. The courses must also be of comparable content, level, semester hour credits, and appropriate for meeting baccalaureate degree requirements at Auburn University.

In addition to academic records, the admissions committee may request copies of criminal disposition records, background checks and screenings, and educational and disciplinary records. All information must be received by the university at least 30 days before the start of the semester. The university will make a determination within 45 days of receiving all requested information.

It is important to note that admission for transfer students is contingent on the availability of space at Auburn University.

Orientation and modules

The orientation program at Auburn University, called Successfully Orienting Students (SOS), is for all new students starting in the spring semester and incoming transfer students starting in the summer and fall semesters. Before your SOS orientation session, you will receive important information from your academic advisor, First Year Experience, and other university departments through your Auburn email.

The modules are a precursor to Academic Advising and Orientation, and you will be added to them within a week of submitting your enrollment deposit. The modules are available at auburn.instructure.com, and the course is called Successfully Orienting Students. The Transfer Plan of Study is included within the modules.

You can also access the modules through AU Access. Orientation registration is only available through AU Access, and you can find directions at auburn.edu/sos/dates. While it is not mandatory to register for classes before registering for SOS, it is highly encouraged to complete the new student modules before participating in SOS. If you have any questions or difficulty registering for SOS, you can contact First Year Experience at (334) 844-4501 or email them at [email protected].

If you are an international transfer student, your college transcripts will be evaluated after you have been accepted by the Office of Admissions. The evaluation process may take some time, depending on the courses taken and the location of the institution. To ensure that the Auburn credit awarded is reflected on your record before the SOS Orientation session, it is recommended to submit official transcripts as soon as possible. Auburn University accepts transfer credits of similar content from accredited institutions.

Additionally, Auburn University evaluates coursework from institutions outside the U.S. for transferability. This evaluation considers two main factors: Accreditation/Recognition and Course Transferability. Courses must be accredited or approved by the Ministry of Education (or an equivalent agency) and must have comparable content, level, semester hour credits, and meet baccalaureate degree requirements at Auburn University.

Scholarships and fees

Auburn University offers a range of scholarships for transfer students, including general scholarships awarded by the Office of University Scholarships and departmental scholarships awarded by the academic colleges. To be considered for a scholarship, transfer students must enrol in the summer or fall. Transfer students accepted for admission by early February will receive automatic consideration, and they must complete the scholarship application in the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) by the February 14 scholarship priority date. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and transfer GPA, with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) used to determine financial need.

Some scholarships include an academic achievement criterion, such as cumulative Auburn GPA for current students, cumulative transfer GPA for transfer students, and high school GPA for first-year students. Additionally, some scholarships have a geographic criterion, such as the high school attended or city, county, or state of residence, with a preference for Alabama residents. Departmental scholarships are also based on the academic program criterion, primarily defined by the college or major in which the student is enrolled, and they vary in availability and award amount.

Scholarship funds are applied as a credit to the student's university billing account, with the amount indicated in the scholarship award letter. The funds are divided equally between the fall and spring semesters and disbursed a maximum of 10 days before the semester begins. Competitive merit scholarships are renewable for four years and are available for a maximum of eight semesters. To be eligible for renewal, students must maintain a minimum Auburn GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum of 24 Auburn credit hours from fall to spring.

The university also provides a cost calculator to help estimate the cost of attendance by calculating tuition, fees, and housing charges against financial aid awards. The tuition calculator provides an estimate based on residency, student level, classification, academic program, and the number of enrolled hours. Scholarship funds may also be applied to study abroad program fees for Auburn-led programs, provided the student earns a minimum of 12 Auburn credit hours.

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