Brandeis University Admissions

A transfer applicant is any student who, upon matriculation to Brandeis, will have completed the equivalent of a US secondary school education and earned at least one semester of credit (12 credits) at an accredited college or university.

Students taking college-level coursework as part of their high school programs, or to satisfy high school diploma requirements, should apply as first-year students.

No, but competitive transfer applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

SAT and/or ACT scores are not required for transfer students though they will be reviewed with your application if submitted. International transfer candidates who are not native speakers of English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test.

Transfer applicants who are admitted and plan to matriculate to Brandeis must have final transcripts and official AP/IB scores sent prior to the entering semester. The college registrar will evaluate your courses, and award transfer credit where appropriate. 

Admitted transfer students will receive a preliminary credit evaluation shortly after their offer of admission though this will not include courses in progress. In general, courses accepted for transfer credit must be comparable to courses taught at Brandeis. Students may transfer a maximum of 64 credits earned over four full-time semesters.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 64 credits (16 courses) in a minimum of four full-time fall or spring semesters at Brandeis. The average course load is 16 credits (four courses) per semester.

Please see the application process page.

Yes. Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international transfer students.

In order to be evaluated for aid, you must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile, plus any additional documentation requested by Student Financial Services. International students are only required to submit the CSS profile as well as supporting financial documentation demonstrating the funds that the family can contribute to your education for the first year of study. Examples of statements of earnings from employers, certification of finances from banks or other financial institutions, or tax returns if available. Please be advised that applications for financial aid that are completed after the stated deadlines will only be considered if funds remain available.

No. Admitted transfer students are only eligible for need-based financial aid.

Please contact the admissions office at admissions@brandeis.edu to request a financial hardship fee waiver.

Transfer students are encouraged, but not required, to sign up for an online interview.

Applicants who are not able to interview are welcome to submit a statement in the Common Application's "Additional Information" section if they would like to inform the admissions committee about anything specific.

Please be sure that necessary documents from each institution you attended arrive at Brandeis.

Transfer candidates must submit the College Report (pdf) from all colleges/universities they've attended as a degree-seeking student. Please be sure this form is filled out in its entirety.

Applicants must also submit an official transcript from all college/universities where credit was earned or attempted

Yes. You must submit an entirely new application, including new transcripts and recommendation letters.

If your high school graduation date was more than 10 years ago, you may request a waiver of the high school transcript requirement. Please email admissions@brandeis.edu for more information.

Please note that applicants requesting a high school transcript waiver will be required to submit an additional statement outlining their activities (education, jobs, travel, personal responsibilities) since high school.

On-campus housing is available for students admitted for the Fall 2024 semester.

Housing availability for transfer students varies from year to year. In recent years, we have been able to offer housing to all interested students. 

Transfer students are not eligible to defer their enrollment.

Transfer students attend orientation, and are also invited to transfer-specific activities and events.

Prospective transfer students submit an application to Brandeis University, not to a specific school or major. Brandeis offers a wide variety of majors and minors. (In other words, no!)

Once on campus, transfer students meet with the Undergraduate Advising Head of their intended major to discuss previous coursework and requirements to complete the major.

Prospective transfer students who wish to major in business should read about the additional application requirements for the business major.

All prospective transfer students should request additional information so that we can contact you with updates, reminders and other important information. We also offer virtual information sessions so that you can tour campus, learn about the transfer application process and speak with a transfer admissions counselor.