The College of New Jersey values undergraduate transfer students from both two-year and four-year institutions. 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.
Each applicant is reviewed based on 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 it is optional, we do recommend that applicants include a resume and letters of recommendation.
In light of the extraordinary circumstances precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and after a great deal of consideration, The College of New Jersey’s Office of Admissions will implement a test-optional policy for students applying to the College as transfer students beginning with the 2020-2021 admission cycle. While the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on SAT and ACT testing opportunities contributed to the urgency of this policy, this decision has been one that The College has been considering for many years. This decision aligns with our ongoing efforts to promote maximum access to a TCNJ education to all students, and we are proud to offer test-optional application reviews for all academic programs.
Prospective transfer students can read below for frequently asked questions. Should you have additional questions, please email transfer@tcnj.edu.
>>Transfer Applicant Frequently Asked Questions
Transfer Visits
Contemplating transferring into The College of New Jersey? Whether you are coming from a two-year or four-year institution, we invite you to sit in on a presentation by a Transfer Admissions Counselor and join a campus tour. 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 that you may have. Transfer sessions are offered during each of our Lion’s Day Open Houses and on select weekend tour dates.
» See our visit page for dates and opportunities.
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 64 credits. For students transferring from a four-year college, TCNJ can accept a maximum of 80 credits.
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.
» Learn more about Credit Evaluations
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. Our Codes: SAT CEEB: 002519 | ACT Code: 002614 | Financial Aid: 002642
Mailing Address
All paper documentation should be mailed to:
The College of New Jersey
The Office of Undergraduate Admission, Attn: Transfer Department
Trenton Hall, Room 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
* Whenever possible, it is in the best interest of the applicant to mail everything in one package.
Application 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 6 required items to complete the admissions application for review. TCNJ does not provide an Admissions Interview as part of the application process.
- Official High School Transcript or Equivalency
- Official College Transcript(s)
- Official Test Scores
- Two Short Answer Responses
- $75 Application Fee
- Transfer College Report
- Transfer Mid-Year Report (for students in their first college 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
As mentioned above, The College of New Jersey’s Office of Admissions will implement a test-optional policy for students applying to the College beginning with the 2020-2021 admission cycle. 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.
$75 Application Fee
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.
- There are no 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 609.771.2131.
Transfer College Report
TCNJ requires the Transfer College Report (PDF) for all applicants. The Transfer College Report is a required document from ANY and ALL colleges/universities/institutions attended. 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 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.
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.
Recommendations (not required)
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 (not required)
In addition to filling out the activities list on The Common Application, applicants are encouraged to mail in an Activity Resume to detail involvement in clubs and organizations, employment, internships, volunteering, education, etc.
Additional Program Requirements
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 1
- Supporting documents including transcripts, test scores, College Report, and any optional documents: March 15
- Notification of Decision: April 1
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.
Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Assistance website provides information about Sources of Financial Aid for Transfer Students
The only form you need to submit in order 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.
There are two options for filing the FAFSA:
- File electronically over the Internet, which is the quickest and most efficient process, via the Financial Assistance Web site.
- Complete the paper version of the FAFSA, which can usually be obtained from your high school or college or by calling 800-4-FED-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, 2023. 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 who have been selected for this highly competitive scholarship have been awarded a scholarship that ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 per year for two years. If you have any questions about the New Jersey Community Colleges Scholarship, please contact the Admissions Office at 609.771.2131.
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:
- Students must earn a minimum of 12-course units in addition to any units already earned as part of the first bachelor’s degree.
- All requirements for the new major must be completed including any Liberal Learning requirements.
- 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 this website for more information about the various funding sources available for veterans who attend TCNJ.