Frequently Asked Questions- Transfer Students
Do you recommend that I visit the campus and have a
personal interview?
Absolutely. It's critical that you visit our campus, and we strongly
encourage you to have a personal interview or attend one of our transfer
information sessions. Having been through the college search process
before, you know how important it is to get a feel for the atmosphere of
the campus. We encourage you to attend a class, meet with a faculty
member, or stay overnight with a student if that would be helpful. As
for the interview, it's a great opportunity for us to get to know you as
a person, and to hear more about your decision to transfer. And from
your perspective, there's no better way to get answers to all your
specific questions.
What criteria does the Admissions Committee use when reviewing candidates for transfer admission?
We
have designed our admission process to be reflective of the institution
and its values. Therefore, we're interested in students who value
making a difference in the lives of others, and who have shown a
commitment to community service. We're also looking for students who
have developed the academic background and skills that will allow them
to thrive and be successful in our academic programs. Each transfer
applicant is reviewed individually with an emphasis placed on the work
done in college as indicated by both grades and recommendations.
Typically, successful transfer students have achieved at a minimum, a
2.5 GPA in prior college-level coursework.
What if I did not do well in high school, but have improved academically
in college?
During
the evaluation process we are reviewing your complete academic record,
both high school and college, with a clear emphasis on the academic work
that you've done in college. The primary concern of the Admissions
Committee is to assess whether you have gained the academic skills
necessary for success at Lesley. The Committee views students
who have taken advantage of the opportunity to ground themselves in the
liberal arts while in college, and strengthen writing, math and critical
thinking skills, in a positive light.
Do I need to submit SAT or ACT scores, or my high school transcript?
Standardized
test scores are not required of transfer applicants, but we do require
you to submit your final high school transcript.
Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS if English is not my first language?
Yes,
students whose native language is not English, must submit an official
copy of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS
(International English Language Testing System). A minimum TOEFL test
score of 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based) or a minimum
IELTS test score of 6.0 is required for admission in order to ensure a
student's ability to participate successfully in the Lesley curriculum.
When is the deadline to apply for transfer admission?
Transfers
can apply for either September of January admission to Lesley.
The preferred application deadline if you are applying for fall
admission is May 1, although applications with continue to be accepted
on a space available basis. The application deadline for spring
admission is December 1.
What is the maximum number of credits that Lesley will accept?
The
maximum number of credits you can transfer into Lesley is 90
credits. A minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation. Most
students take five courses per semester, with the majority of Lesley's
courses being 3
credit classes.
Which courses that I've taken will transfer to Lesley, and when will I know?
All
college level courses taken at regionally or nationally accredited
institutions, with a grade of C or better, will be eligible for transfer
to Lesley. If you have taken a course for a pass/fail grade, it
will only be eligible for transfer if it can be documented that the
pass signifies a grade of C or better.
In determining which specific credits will transfer, every effort is
made to match courses with their Lesley equivalents, allowing you to
transfer as much credit as possible. A tentative credit evaluation is
sent with your letter of admission.
Are there opportunities for cross-registration?
One
of the benefits of being part of a larger institution is that Lesley students do have the opportunity to cross-register for classes
at the other schools within the University. A number of students take
courses at The Art Institute of Boston and through the Center for the
Adult Learner. Juniors and seniors also take advantage of the
opportunity to try out graduate level classes in the School of Education
or the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences.
Does Lesley offer any merit scholarships to transfer students?
Yes, we offer several merit scholarships for qualified transfer
students. No separate application is required for the scholarships. All
admitted transfers who meet the minimum scholarship criteria will be
considered for the awards, but cannot be awarded more than one.
Learn more about our transfer merit scholarships.
Is need-based financial aid available to transfers?
Yes.
In fact, over 85% of Lesley students, both transfers and freshmen,
receive need-based financial aid. To apply for financial aid please
complete the online FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance) before the priority deadline (Fall-March 1. Spring-December 15.)
Learn more about Financial Aid at Lesley.
Are transfers able to apply to Dual Degree Programs (accelerated bachelor's/master's programs)?
Yes,
transfer students are able to apply to the Lesley Dual Degree
Programs once they are enrolled and have begun taking classes at Lesley. Because Dual Degree students must be admitted to the program
and ready to begin taking graduate level courses during their junior
year, we would encourage you to sit down with the appropriate Program
Advisor as soon as you arrive at Lesley to talk about the possibilities.
Depending upon what coursework you have done prior to attending Lesley,
and the number of credits transferred in to Lesley, you may need to
apply to the program soon after beginning your Lesley coursework.
Are transfers eligible for the Lesley Dividend?
A
transfer student who enrolls in the College of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and requires six
semesters or more to complete their bachelor's degree can take full
advantage of the Lesley Dividend (twelve credits of free graduate
study). Transfer students with less than six semesters to complete their
undergraduate program are eligible for six credits of free graduate
study. The Lesley Dividend requires that students have been enrolled in
continuous full-time study and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or
higher.
Is housing available for transfers?
Yes,
historically we have been able to house any transfer student who has
requested on-campus housing. Residence halls range from traditional
style dormitories to college owned Victorian homes on the Lesley campus.
Is there an orientation program for transfer students?
Yes,
we feel it is essential that all transfer students attend the formal
orientation program in order to ensure a smooth transition to Lesley.
Students entering within the fall semester have the opportunity to
attend the transfer orientation session in August. Students entering in
the spring semester have the opportunity to attend orientation in
January. Participating in orientation gives new students a chance to
meet each other before the return of continuing students. Learn more
about Orientation.