Transfer ApplicantsFAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
HWS defines a transfer student as any student who has matriculated at any post-secondary institution.
While we do not typically require an interview, we do strongly encourage them. An interview can be an excellent way for the applicant to get to know HWS and for HWS to have a greater sense of the applicant’s goals, needs and ability to succeed.
Yes, students may apply for transfer admission for either the spring semester of their first year, or plan to begin their studies at HWS in the fall semester.
Yes, as a transfer applicant you will need to submit the transfer application and all supporting documents. However, if you have applied previously as a transfer applicant, you will not need to reapply as you will simply need to submit a written request to reactivate your application.
HWS is a very competitive institution and, as such, we are looking for students who have demonstrated success in their previous educational environments. Typically a successful applicant will have a minimum 2.7 GPA with a well-rounded curriculum. In addition, the more college-level course work a student has, the greater the emphasis will be put on the post-secondary work. If a student has less college experience, greater emphasis will be placed on the high school transcript.
HWS has evaluated thousands of courses for equivalency with our curriculum, and you can view them using Transferology. Keep in mind that additional courses not yet evaluated may also transfer and fulfill program requirements after discussion with your major or minor advisor. Ultimately, whether a course satisfies major or minor requirements is determined by the academic departments. Once you enroll, the Dean’s Office, in cooperation with department chairs, will review your transcript(s) to determine your academic standing. In general, liberal arts courses whose content aligns with HWS departments typically transfer. If you would like an earlier indication of course transferability, you can contact the Registrar's Office for a preliminary review.
Transfer credit evaluation happens automatically once a college-level transcript has been received by Admissions. Transfers are evaluated as soon as possible and typically before the student begins the program.
You can find specific credit and course requirements by browsing the major/minor declaration forms in the institutional forms library. These forms provide detailed guidance for each area of study.
Class standing is based on the number of courses completed. For courses taken at institutions that are on a semester-hour credit system, three or four semester hours are equivalent to one HWS credit. HWS operates on a semester schedule with each student taking four courses per semester, with a total of 32 to graduate. As such, HWS will allow a student to transfer in a maximum of 16 courses. In addition, only courses of three or more credits in which a student has received at least a C- or better has been earned will be considered for transfer credit.
0-6: First-Year
7-15: Sophomore
16-22: Junior
23 and above: Senior
All HWS students are required to be registered full time, taking three to five courses each semester. The standard course load is four courses a sememster. Transfer students are normally discouraged from taking an overload first semester.
After having been admitted, students will be contacted by their advisor or dean to aid them in registration.
While your dean will serve as your initial contact person and will guide you through your transition to HWS, a faculty advisor will be assigned to you shortly after matriculation.
We strongly encourage this type of interaction as it allows the applicant to get a stronger sense of what their academic as well as extra curricular life might be like.
You should receive your housing assignment by mid-June or, for those matriculating later than mid-June, within two weeks of matriculation. Students who are admitted for the spring semester will learn about their housing assignment in early January.
Absolutely. HWS encourages applications from international students. To receive transfer credit for courses taken outside the U.S. a student must submit a course-by-course evaluation by an evaluation service that is a member of either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).