The College of New Jersey

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Transfer Applicants

TCNJ students are academically gifted, demonstrate strong initiative, and have diverse talents. TCNJ’s admissions staff examine every component of a student’s application, but none more carefully than the high school transcript. The record of course selection, grades, GPA, class rank, and the strength of the curriculum provide the most accurate predictor of a student’s chance for success in college.

  • Each applicant is reviewed based on the rigor of coursework, GPA, choice of major, two short answer responses, and high school transcript.  The greater the number of college credits accumulated, the more weight the college transcript will carry during the application review process.  Although optional, we recommend that applicants include a resume and letters of recommendation.
  • FAQs: Prospective transfer students can review frequently asked questions. Should you have additional questions, please email transfer@tcnj.edu.
  • Visit: TCNJ’s Transfer Information Sessions are designed to inform and assist transfers with the application process, outline application requirements, provide credit evaluation information, and answer any questions.

Apply

TCNJ uses the Common Application for transfer applicants. You can submit the Common Application online starting August 1st. The Common Application’s “Transfer College Report” will be required for all enrolled students.

Sign In to Apply

Other Applications

» Non-Traditional Application

Our Codes: SAT CEEB: 002519 | ACT Code: 002614 | Financial Aid: 002642

Credit Evaluations

  • For students transferring credits to TCNJ, the institution generally accepts courses taken at the 100 or 200 level if the final grade received is a C or higher.  Please keep in mind that this is a general guideline.
  • For students transferring from a two-year college, TCNJ can accept a maximum of 66 credits (16.5 Units).
  • For students transferring from a four-year college, TCNJ can accept a maximum of 96 credits (24 Units). Please note that TCNJ recognizes a student as a Junior Level at 64 credits (16 Units).
  • Credits will be evaluated by an Academic Evaluator in the Office of Records and Registration. Evaluations only occur after an applicant has been admitted.  If you attend a New Jersey Community College, please refer to the NJTransfer website for transfer equivalencies.

» Credit Evaluations for Transfer Applicants

Requirements

Candidates seeking formal admissions to a degree program must have earned or been in the process of earning at least twelve semester hours of college credit with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Applicants need to submit six required items to complete the admissions application for review. TCNJ does not provide an Admissions Interview as part of the application process.

  1. Official High School Transcript or Equivalency
  2. Official College Transcript(s)
  3. Two Short Answer Responses
  4. $65 Application Fee
  5. Transfer College Report
  6. Transfer Mid-Year Report (only for students in their first collegiate semester)

Official High School Transcript or Equivalency

All transfer applicants are required to submit their official high school transcript.  Please have your high school transcript sent to The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Attn: Transfer Department, directly from the high school (otherwise, they will not be considered official).  The Common Application secondary school report does not need to be submitted.  If you attended high school outside of the United States, your transcripts will need to be evaluated by a United States agency that provides foreign credentials evaluations before being sent to TCNJ.

Official College Transcript(s)

All transfer applicants are required to submit all college transcripts from every college that they have attended.  Please have all transcripts sent to The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Attn: Transfer Department, directly from the college transcript office (otherwise, they will not be considered official). If you attended college outside of the United States, your transcripts will need to be evaluated by a United States agency that provides foreign credentials evaluations before being sent to TCNJ.

Official Test Scores (optional)

  • The College of New Jersey’s Office of Admissions does not require SAT/ACT test scores for Transfer Students.
  • While standardized test scores will not be required, applicants interested in sharing their scores are still encouraged to do so. Scores must be sent from the official testing agency or printed on an official school transcript.
  • TCNJ will superscore multiple test dates from both the SAT and ACT, respectively. TCNJ does not use the Writing sections of the SAT or ACT. SAT II Subject Tests are NOT required.
  • Our Codes: SAT CEEB: 002519 | ACT Code: 002614

Short Answer Responses

The Common Application hosts two short answer questions and is the official writing sample used in the evaluation process.  Short answer questions can be found in the Writing section of the “My Colleges” tab on Common App.

Application Fee: $65


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

  • Submit payment through the Common Application.
  • To pay by check or money order, mail payment to TCNJ’s address below.  Please include “Attention:  Transfer Department” on the envelope.
  • You must select “Fee Waiver” on the Common App in order to bypass the payment screen and submit your application.
  • TCNJ offers multiple fee waivers available for transfer students.  If paying the fee constitutes a significant economic hardship for you and your family, please contact the Office of Admissions at transfer@tcnj.edu or 609.771.2131.

TCNJ will waive a student’s application fee if they: make an official visit to our campus OR submit a paper copy of one of the following:

  • New Jersey Community College student
  • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Member – email certificate of membership to transfer@tcnj.edu
  • Military/Active Duty
  • College Board Fee Waiver
  • NACAC Fee Waiver
  • TCNJ Out-of-State Fee Waiver
  • National Merit Semifinalist/National Achievement Fee Waiver
  • Common Application Fee Waiver (verified by school counselor)
  • Coalition Application Fee Waiver (verified by school counselor)
  • A formal letter from a student’s school counselor (must contain specific reasons why the counselor believes a waiver is necessary for this student)

Academic Major

Students must declare an official TCNJ program of study on our school’s Common Application Member Form, which can ONLY be submitted online when completing the Common Application. You cannot apply “undeclared” to TCNJ as a Transfer applicant.

Mailing Address

All paper documentation should be mailed to:

The College of New Jersey
The Office of Undergraduate Admission, Attn: Transfer
Trenton Hall, Room 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628

* Whenever possible, it is in the applicant’s best interest to mail everything in one package.

Transfer College Report

TCNJ requires the Transfer College Report (PDF) for all applicants. The Transfer College Report is required from ANY and ALL colleges/universities/institutions attended. Take the form to a college official with access to your academic and disciplinary records. Upload the completed form through your TCNJ Application Portal or mail it to the address above.

Transfer Mid-Term Report (required for first-semester college students)

TCNJ requires the Transfer Mid-Term Report (PDF) for students in their first semester at college. 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 above.

Additional Program Requirements for Art, Graphic Design, and Music

  • Art includes visual arts specializing in fine art, visual arts specializing in photography/video, and art education.
  • Graphic Design
  • Music includes music, music performance, and music education.

Recommendations (optional)

TCNJ strongly encourages transfer applicants to submit between one and three letters of recommendation. When submitting letters of recommendation, it is not necessary to use The Common Application Teacher Evaluation form, College Official form, or the Secondary School final report.  It is preferred that recommendations for transfer students come from college instructors, college advisors, or other college officials. If these are unobtainable, recommendations from high school teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, employers, or extracurricular advisors may also be submitted.

Resume (optional)

In addition to filling out the activities list on The Common Application, applicants are encouraged to include an activity resume to detail involvement in clubs and organizations, employment, internships, volunteering, education, etc.

Admissions Interview (not provided)

TCNJ does not provide an Admissions Interview as part of the application process.

Deadlines and Notifications

Fall Admission

  • Application Deadline: March 1st
  • Supporting documents, including transcripts, test scores, College Report, and any optional documents: March 15th *Priority Deadline for Scholarships*
  • Notification of Decision: April 1st

Spring Admission

  • Application Deadline: November 1
  • Supporting Documents Deadline: November 15
  • Notification of Decision: December 15

Other Deadlines

Music applicants must complete their audition by December 1st for Spring Admission or March 15th for Fall Admission.

Visual Arts applicants must submit their portfolio for departmental review by November 15th for Spring Admission or March 15th for Fall Admission.  Portfolio submission is optional for Art Education applicants.

Scholarships and Aid

New Jersey Community Colleges Scholarship

The College of New Jersey is proud to offer merit scholarships to a select group of outstanding transfer students entering the fall semester.  In order to be considered for the New Jersey Community Colleges Scholarship, all application materials must be submitted by March 15, 2025. The Admissions Office will identify students who may be eligible for this scholarship using the information provided in the student’s application.  Those who meet the eligibility requirements will be sent an application and encouraged to apply.  In order to be eligible, the student must be attending a New Jersey Community College with a minimum GPA of 3.75.  The student must also be completing an AA or AS before attending TCNJ and be a US citizen or Permanent Resident. If the candidate has also attended a 4-year institution, s/he must not have taken more than 12 college credits at that institution.  The Admissions Committee will determine the recipients based on the student’s admissions materials and scholarship application.

Historically, students selected for this highly competitive scholarship have been awarded a scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per year for two years.  If you have any questions about the New Jersey Community Colleges Scholarship, please get in touch with the Admissions Office at 609.771.2131.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship

TCNJ offers a $1,000 scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Students. After you apply, submit your PTK Certification into your student portal. If admitted, you will be awarded the PTK Scholarship. This scholarship is offered for 2 Consecutive semesters, totaling $1,000 ($500/semester).

Financial Aid

The only form you need to apply for state and/or federal aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must list “The College of New Jersey” as a recipient and write TCNJ’s school code number (002642) on your FAFSA. You must also provide your Social Security Number on your application to be considered for state and federal aid.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance website provides information about Sources of Financial Aid for Transfer Students.

Second or Additional Bachelor’s Degrees

Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from either The College of New Jersey or another institution may apply for a second baccalaureate degree. They should follow the procedures for transfer students when applying.

The following policies apply to students seeking a second degree:

  1. Students must earn a minimum of 12 course units in addition to any units already earned as part of the first bachelor’s degree.
  2. All requirements for the new major must be completed, including any Liberal Learning requirements.
  3. This policy does not authorize the granting of two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously since students have the option of taking a dual major.

Veterans

TCNJ is honored to evaluate the applications of our military veterans. All eligible military Service members are highly encouraged to receive approval from an Educational Service Officer (ES0) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling at The College of New Jersey.

Please review TCNJ’s Veterans website for more information about the various funding sources available for veterans who attend TCNJ.

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