Transfer students

Would you like to transfer to an American study during your Dutch studies? This is not impossible, but you should keep in mind that this is not an easy process. Additionally, scholarships are not always available for transfer students, so think carefully about your choice. Sometimes it is a better alternative to pursue a master’s degree in the US after your Dutch bachelor’s degree, when there are more funding opportunities available.

In America, it is common for students to change universities during their studies. You are then a transfer student. A well-known example is following a 2+2 program, where a student then attends the first two years of study at a community college and then moves on to the third year of a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university.

Have you completed at least one year of higher education inside or outside the US? Then the university considers you a transfer student.

If you want to transfer to an American university during your Dutch studies, you should keep in mind that the education systems differ considerably. In the Netherlands, studies in higher education are specialized from the first year. American students, however, in the first two years of their studies follow a broad package of subjects in a variety of fields, such as the natural sciences, social sciences, languages, art, and cultural sciences. Only in the third year of their studies do American university students begin to specialize.

The American university will be able to tell you if they can give credit for the courses taken in the Netherlands. To earn a bachelor’s degree, you may still need to take some courses from the first and second years of study.

Prerequisites

To qualify as a transfer student at a university, you must usually meet a number of requirements:

  • You have successfully completed at least one year of study and obtained good results in that year.
  • You have a good reason for wanting to transfer to another university, such as because you want to specialize in a particular field.
  • You have clear study goals and ideas about your specialization.
  • You plan to study at your new university for at least two more years.

In some cases, you may be exempt from taking the entrance tests (TOEFL and SAT or ACT). Remember that at highly selective universities, it is often even more difficult to be admitted as a transfer student than as a first-year student.

Funding

American universities often have fewer scholarship opportunities for transfer students, so be sure to research funding opportunities carefully. Check the websites of US universities for transfer scholarships.

You can read more about funding options on the page about undergraduate studies and scholarships. Note that not all of these scholarships may be available to transfer students.

However, you may be able to bring student loans from DUO to your studies in the US. More information can be found at DUO.

Some helpful websites with more information on scholarships and funding:

Deadlines

Deadlines often close later in the year. Application deadlines for fall studies are usually sometime between February and March, and deadlines for spring studies are typically in the early fall. Check university websites for specific deadlines.

Apply

Most universities require the following documents:

  • Application fee
    This is an administration fee for the American university. Do you have little income? Then you may be able to apply for an application fee waiver.
  • Motivation essay
    Your motivation essay, also called personal statement, is one of the most important parts of your application to an American university. In it, you explain why you want to study in the United States and, in particular, why you want to study at that institution. It is the part of the application in which you can show who you are and what sets you apart from all those other applicants who are also applying to that particular program. This essay will be used to evaluate your ability to clearly express your thoughts on paper and whether your study or research interests match the programs offered by the university.
  • Letters of reference from your current professors
    Letters of recommendation, like the motivation, are a very important part of the application. You should make sure that those who write them really have something to say about you. Among other things, the letters should highlight your analytical acumen, intellectual ability, creativity, and ability to do independent research. In general, three letters of recommendation will be requested. Letters may be sent directly to institutions.
  • Transcripts
    These are official copies of your grade transcripts from your current degree program. The transcripts are provided to the university by your current program. The American university asks you to provide the transcripts in both Dutch and English. More information on how to prepare transcripts can be found in the application information for master studies.
  • Syllabus (overview of courses taken)
    A description of the courses already taken at your current institution. In some cases you will need to provide a translation from a credential evaluator. The description should at least include the name of the course, the number of credits and number of class hours, the bibliography, and the content topics covered in the course.
  • Proof of financial resources
    Before entering university, you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to pay tuition and your daily living expenses.

 

For more information and advice on these components, please visit the page on applying for a bachelor’s degree.