Second Time's the Charm!

Been There, Done That: 5 Tips on How to Tour a Campus as a Transfer

By Caleb Myers|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on August 9, 2022)

Some college athletes for a variety of reasons, may decide to transfer at some point during their athletic careers. If this is you, remember that when considering another university, it is important to tour the campus before declaring your intent to transfer, to be sure that the new campus will give the athlete satisfaction. We know you've been there, done that, but contrasting from an incoming first-year student tour and admission process, the transfer process is a bit different. Some key points to note on a visit as a transfer are detailed below.

Ask about athlete transfer protocols

Some universities require that transfer athletes sit out one year before competing, after transferring to a new university. While on your tour, you should confirm with the tour staff and the athletic compliance office the rules for transferring. Along the same lines, you should also confirm with the athletic compliance office that all of the paperwork that should be submitted has been acknowledged.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Ask about the admission process.

Most, if not all, universities have a different protocol for being admitted as a student as a transfer than as a new first-year student, so you should ensure with the admissions office that you have completed everything needed to transfer as a student. Usually, you will need to apply as a transfer, even if transferring as an athlete, and have your academic paperwork sent from their current university to the new one. This may vary from school to school, so asking about the process while on your tour will ensure you are following the correct steps.

Ask to see your sport's facility and all other relevant areas

While touring a new university, if it is not already on the agenda, be sure to ask to see your sport's facilities. Having the chance to see where you may be training and competing may be the most influential factor in deciding whether or not the school you are touring is right for you. While you are touring facilities, also ask to see the student-athlete academic center and any other relevant areas that you may utilize when actually attending the university (like the training room and locker rooms, for instance).

Talk to your possible future teammates while on the tour

While you're on the tour, you should seek out or ask to talk to a possible future teammate–the most honest viewpoints can come from someone on the team you may be a part of in the future.

Visit the department of your major/degree path

At this point in your college career, you have most likely declared a major or a degree path. Outside of the athletic facilities and portion of the tour, it could be very beneficial to visit the respective degree department. By talking with faculty and staff in the academics realm, you get the chance to see if the classroom setting is to their liking, compared (or contrasted) from their previous university.

Many college students, and especially college athletes, feel strongly about attending (or not attending) a particular university. Sometimes, this epiphany comes during a student's time at college when the individual feels that it may be best to transfer–and that's okay! Just keep in mind that, while similar in some ways, transferring to a new university is very different from being admitted as an incoming first-year (and go tour your new dream school with confidence).

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