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Guidelines for International Transfer Applicants

What are the minimum requirements to apply to TCNJ as an international transfer?

The applicant pool for transfer applicants is very competitive. To be eligible to apply as a transfer, an applicant must have earned or be in the process of earning at least 12 college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students seeking admission to some of the more competitive programs may require a higher GPA.

How many credits do I need to graduate from TCNJ?

The number of credits depends on the program. Most programs require 128 degree credits/32 course units.

How many credits can I transfer to TCNJ?

If a student has attended a two-year institution, TCNJ accepts a maximum of 64 credits. If a student has attended a four-year institution, TCNJ accepts a maximum of 80 credits. If you have attended both a two-year and four-year institution, TCNJ will accept a maximum of 80 credits combined.

How can I see which credits will transfer to TCNJ?

Generally, 100- and 200- level courses where a grade of C or better was earned will usually transfer to TCNJ. Credit evaluations are only completed for applicants who have been admitted to the university.

Are transfer students guaranteed housing?

Transfer students are not guaranteed housing. However, housing is available both on-campus and off-campus. Accepted transfer students may contact the Office of Residence Education and Housing to submit their requests for housing after they have been admitted and submitted a deposit.

How do I apply to TCNJ as an international transfer?

In order for an admission decision to be made, all international transfer applicants must submit a complete transfer application.

A complete international transfer application includes:

Common Applicationwww.commonapp.org.

Essay – The Common Application essay is the official essay used in the evaluation process.

$75.00 Application Fee – Check or money order payable to The College of New Jersey issued by a U.S. bank or electronically submitted through the Common Application system: www.commonapp.org.

All Official Transcripts from Grades 9-12 of High School (Secondary School) Transcripts must be translated in English. Additionally, and in most cases, transcripts must be submitted to a United States agency that provides foreign credential evaluations before being sent to TCNJ. TCNJ will accept foreign credential evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Click here for a list of current NACES members approved by TCNJ. 

Most applicants applying for transfer admission will need a document-by-document or a general report evaluation of your secondary transcript. (Students enrolled in an International Baccalaureate program, in the U.S. or overseas, do not have to submit their transcript to an evaluation agency.) Please have all transcripts sent to:

The College of New Jersey
Attention: International Admissions, Trenton Hall, 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
USA

All Official Transcripts from Every University (Post-Secondary) Attended – Transcripts must be translated in English. Additionally, and in most cases, transcripts must be submitted to a United States agency that provides foreign credential evaluations before being sent to TCNJ. TCNJ will accept foreign credential evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Click here for a list of current NACES members approved by TCNJ. 

All students applying for transfer admission in addition to the document-by document evaluation will need a course-by-course evaluation converted to U.S. credits and grades for any college or university transcripts. All foreign institutions must have the equivalent to regional accreditation in the United States. (Students enrolled in an International Baccalaureate program, in the U.S. or overseas, do not have to submit their transcript to an evaluation agency. Please have all transcripts sent to:

The College of New Jersey
Attention: International Admissions, Trenton Hall, 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
USA

College ReportTCNJ requires the Transfer College Report for all applicants. A PDF file of this form can be found here. Take the form to a college official who has access to your academic and disciplinary records. Upload the completed form through your TCNJ Application Portal or mail it to the address below.

Transfer Mid-Year Report – TCNJ requires the Transfer Mid-Term Report for students in their first semester at college. A PDF file of this form can be found here. Take the form to the instructor(s) at your current college who are able to report on your current academic grades. Upload the completed form through your TCNJ Application Portal or mail it to the address below.

The College of New Jersey
Attention: International Admissions, Trenton Hall, 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
USA

2 Letters of Recommendation – One recommendation letter must be from a university instructor. The other letter can come from a different university instructor, a university advisor or other university official. If the Common Application Teacher Evaluation Form is not available, we will accept a letter directly by email (international@tcnj.edu) from any school official.

SAT or ACT Scores – SAT or ACT scores are preferred. Scores must be sent from an official testing agency or printed on an official school transcript. Transfer applicants are exempt from submitting SAT or ACT Scores if they meet one of the following by the application deadline:

  • Graduated from high school 5 years ago or more.
  • Earned 45 credits or more from another institution.

****TOEFL or IELTS ScoresFor applicants whose first language is not English, or who attend a high school or university in which English is not the language of instruction, TCNJ requires the results from one of these English proficiency exams. Scores must be sent from the official testing agency or printed on an official school transcript.

Beyond the elements of a complete admission application, are there any additional department-specific requirements I must meet to apply to TCNJ?

Yes. There are additional requirements for the following programs:

Art, Education, Music, Seven-year Medical Programs, Seven-year Optometry Program

How do I pay the application fee?

There are two methods of making your non-refundable payment.

  • Submit payment through the Common Application.
  • Mail check/money order by selecting “Fee Waiver” on the Common Application and mailing payment to:

The College of New Jersey
Attention: International Admissions
PO Box 7718

Ewing, NJ 08628
USA

Can the application fee be waived?

Yes. TCNJ will waive a student’s application fee if they submit one of the following:

  • College Board Fee Waiver
  • NACAC Fee Waiver
  • TCNJ International Applicant Fee Waiver
  • Common Application Fee Waiver Request Form (signed by school official)
  • A formal letter from a school official at the applicant’s school (must contain specific reasons why the counselor believes a waiver is necessary for this student)

Do my transcripts have to be in English?

Yes. Transcripts must be translated in English. Additionally, and in most cases, transcripts must be submitted to a United States agency that provides foreign credential evaluations before being sent to TCNJ. TCNJ will accept foreign credential evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Click here for a list of current NACES members approved by TCNJ. 

Most applicants applying for transfer admission will need a document-by-document or a general report evaluation of your secondary transcript. (Students enrolled in an International Baccalaureate program, in the U.S. or overseas, do not have to submit their transcript to an evaluation agency.)

Can I email my transcript or recommendation letters to TCNJ?

TCNJ cannot accept official transcripts or letters of recommendation via email. All official transcripts and recommendation letters must be sent by a university official in the mail to:

The College of New Jersey
Attention: International Admissions, Trenton Hall, 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
USA

* We will accept unofficial documents via email international@tcnj.edu to expedite the review process but until all official documents are received, international applicants cannot enroll at the university.

Which test results should I submit with my application?

You should submit all standardized test results. Score reports must come directly from a test center or listed on an official academic transcript from your school.

Do I need to take the SAT or ACT?

SAT or ACT test scores are preferred and must be sent from the official testing agency or printed on an official school transcript. Transfer applicants are exempt from submitting SAT or ACT Scores if they meet one of the following by the application deadline:

  • Graduated from high school 5 years ago or more.
  • Earned 45 credits or more from another institution.

What are TCNJ’s codes for the SAT and ACT?

  • TCNJ SAT CEEB: 002519
  • TCNJ ACT Code: 002614

Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency exams?

If your first language is not English, or if the language of instruction in your high school or university is not English, TCNJ requires you to submit results from either the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

If I don’t speak English that well, can I still apply to TCNJ?

Yes! However, if English is not your native language, we require that you submit your TOEFL or IELTS score to be considered for general admission at TCNJ.

Does TCNJ have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score for international application consideration?

No.

If I completed an intensive English program do I still need to take the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency exams?

Yes. The quality of English programs varies from country to country and we want to confirm that you are prepared to succeed in TCNJ’s academically rigorous environment.

If any of my test results are not available until after your deadline, can I still submit them for review?

Yes.

What if I have additional questions?

Please contact us at international@tcnj.edu.

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