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Transferring to Fairfield
Why Transfer to Fairfield
No matter where you started your college journey, Fairfield University can be the school where you finish your degree and begin your future. The Office of Undergraduate Admission welcomes transfer students from accredited colleges and universities during our fall semester and is committed to making the transfer process as seamless as possible.
Please note: In certain years, Fairfield may also be able to offer spring admission for transfer students, but due to current enrollment constraints, we will not be able to make offers of admission for spring 2023. Please contact transferadmis@fairfield.edu if you have additional questions.
Applicants are evaluated on their completed college coursework and high school record, as well as standardized test scores, should they choose to submit them (Fairfield University is test optional). Transfer students are accepted under full-time status and are expected to take a minimum of four courses per semester. However, if you are a transfer student interested in applying part-time, you can contact us at 203-254-5532 or ptadmiss@fairfield.edu for more information.
International transfer students applying to Fairfield are advised to visit our international students page, as they will be required to submit additional material as part of the application process.
Applying to Fairfield
How to Apply
How to Apply
To complete a transfer application, students need to submit the following documentation by April 1 (fall semester priority deadline) or November 15 (spring semester priority deadline):
- Common Application for Transfer Students
- $60 Non-refundable Application Fee: If you are a veteran or have previously applied to Fairfield, you can email transferadmis@fairfield.edu for a fee waiver
- Official High School Transcript: If you have previously applied to Fairfield University, please ensure we have received a transcript that includes your final grades. Official transcripts can be sent directly to Fairfield University from the high school by mail or by email to transferadmis@fairfield.edu. Alternately, official transcripts can be received through the Common Application if submitted directly from the high school to Common Application.
- Official College Transcript from All Universities Attended (whether or not credit was earned)
- Course Catalog Descriptions of All Classes Taken: Descriptions can be sent via e-mail to transferadmis@fairfield.edu
A course description looks like the following:
PSYC 1010: This course introduces the science of mental processes and behavior by addressing a range of questions including: How is brain activity related to thought and behavior? What does it mean to learn and remember something? How do we see, hear, taste, and smell? How do we influence one another's attitudes and actions? What are the primary factors that shape a child's mental and emotional development? How and why do we differ from one another? What are the origins and most effective treatments of mental illness?
You must submit a course description for each class you have taken and/or are taking in college. Please copy and paste these descriptions into a Word document (in chronological order) and send to transferadmis@fairfield.edu. - Mid-term Grade Progress Report (Optional)
- Dean of Students Certification Form: The Common Application does provide forms that are similar to our Dean of Students Certification Form. We ask that you complete either form.
- ACT or SAT Standardized Test Scores: Please note that Fairfield University has a test optional policy for domestic students. International students and home-schooled students are required to submit test scores.
Please send all required documents to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
transferadmis@fairfield.edu
Application Deadlines
Application Deadlines
The priority application deadline for entry into the fall semester is April 1 and for entry into the spring semester the priority deadline is November 15. Students who apply by this date—and have all supporting documents to our office—will receive priority review for admission, institutional financial aid, merit scholarships, and housing. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed beyond the priority deadlines on a space and resource available basis.
Important Application Information
Important Application Information
Students who applied to Fairfield University as first-year students, but were denied admission, are required to complete one full year of college course work in a full-time status elsewhere, before reapplying as a transfer student.
A minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5/4.0 is required for students interested in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies (for public health and social work ONLY). Students interested in transferring into the Charles F. Dolan School of Business must have maintained at least a 2.8/4.0 cumulative GPA.
Please note that Fairfield University does not currently accept transfer students into the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies’ undergraduate nursing program.
To merit a Fairfield University degree, at least 60 credits must be taken at Fairfield. This includes the last 30 semester credits immediately preceding graduation that must be earned at Fairfield University.
Transfer students with international academic credentials must have their documents translated (if not in English) and evaluated. Please refer to our international students page for more information and referral to the WES evaluation.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs, please complete our Request for Information form. If you have additional questions following the completion of the form, please contact transferadmis@fairfield.edu.
Additional information regarding visit opportunities for transfer students can be found on our visit page.
Transferring Credits
Copies of course catalog descriptions for all college courses taken at your current university are necessary to complete a credit evaluation. When sending this information to transferadmis@fairfield.edu, please be sure to include your full name on all documents.
Applicants should also be aware of the following criteria regarding transfer credits.
- Courses with a grade of less than "C" will not be accepted for transfer credit.
- Credit will only be granted only for specific work completed at institutions whose quality has been approved by the University.
- Only credit hours will be accepted for credit. The actual grades will not transfer.
- Courses that are 10 years or older cannot be transferred to fulfill major requirements for graduation.
- Students entering Fairfield University may be eligible to receive college credit for work previously completed in high school through advanced placement exams, international baccalaureate courses, or college courses completed while in high school. These courses will be evaluated upon enrollment and not as a part of the admission process.
- Fairfield University has a residency requirement for transferring students. As a result, students must spend four semesters in the full-time day program and complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Fairfield University in order to be eligible for the degree.
- Transfer students with international academic credentials must have their documents translated (if not in English) and evaluated. Please refer to our international students page for more information and referral to the WES evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are admitted to Fairfield, you will be notified which of your credits will transfer at that time. While you cannot know for certain at the time of application which of your credits will transfer, you can compare individual course descriptions in your present institution's course catalog with Fairfield University's online course catalog. By comparing these descriptions, you may be able to ascertain the similarity of the courses and whether your present courses seem to correspond with any Fairfield courses.
Although the priority application deadlines are not until April 1 and November 15, it is helpful to submit your application materials earlier so the Office of Undergraduate Admission may notify you if your application is incomplete due to missing components. Meeting the priority deadlines for your application also allows for full consideration for scholarships, financial aid, and housing.
No. Transfer students are accepted for both the fall and spring terms.
The Common Application should be submitted by the published deadline. Students are encouraged to submit all supporting materials as soon as possible as applications cannot be reviewed until they are complete.
If you are reconsidering Fairfield University after previously submitting an application for freshman or transfer admission, you will need to complete a new transfer application. Fairfield will waive the application fee if you have previously applied.
Contact transferadmis@fairfield.edu to receive a fee waiver code and review what documents are required.
Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve per the Common Application prompt.
The only recommendation needed is the form to be completed by your dean of students. You may, however, have recommendations sent from sources who have something valuable to say about your academic performance or character.
Review of applications begins in March for fall semester matriculation and in mid-November for spring semester matriculation. Decisions are usually made three to four weeks after an application is completed once the admission committee has begun reviewing files.
Providing copies of course descriptions with your application assists us in reviewing your credits for transfer. We make every effort to transfer any credits that appropriately fit the curricula offered by Fairfield University. Students receive a preliminary credit evaluation at the time they are admitted and will finalize these credits with their academic dean at the time of enrollment. Only courses with a grade of "C" or better will be considered for transfer credit. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits towards their degree at Fairfield University.
All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. To do so, you must complete and submit both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure both forms are received by Fairfield University for the appropriate aid year. The FAFSA website is fafsa.ed.gov, and Fairfield’s school code is 001385. The CSS Profile website is collegeboard.com, and Fairfield’s school code is 3390. If you have previously completed these forms for another institution, you must log back into your accounts and request they be submitted to Fairfield University.
Fairfield University is able to offer a limited number of merit awards to admitted students. These annual awards range from $7,500 – $22,000, and their recipients are notified of their selection at the time of admission. Additionally, if you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, we encourage you to provide us with a copy of your membership certificate to consider you for a limited number of additional scholarships.
For the past several years, we have been able to house all transfer students interested in living on campus. While Fairfield University cannot guarantee on-campus living arrangements for transfer students, we will accept housing requests and make every effort to accommodate students on campus.
Yes. As a transfer student, you are offered a two-day orientation just prior to the start of your enrolling semester. This provides an opportunity for you to meet many of our staff and other students, and to familiarize yourself with campus resources. Information about orientation and ongoing transition support follows the admission notification.
If you have additional questions, please contact orientation@fairfield.edu following enrollment.
A transfer student's date of graduation is determined by the number of credits accepted in transfer and the number of Fairfield University semesters these credits satisfy. The normal academic load for undergraduates is 15 credits per semester. Therefore, students are expected to have completed 30 credits at the end of one year, 60 at the end of two years, etc.