Should You Transfer?

The Main Reasons College Athletes Transfer

By Finn Rice|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on March 16, 2022)

About 40% of undergraduate athletes in a four-year college or university transfer at least once during their college career. Here are a few of the main reasons these students decide to transfer.

Playing Time

Many college athletes use college as the next step in making a career out of the sport they play. If they are not being put in the game or given a chance to showcase their skills, looking for another place to do that is usually a go-to option. A perfect example is Joe Burrow, who played as a backup quarterback for Ohio State, then transferred to LSU and ended up as a national champion.

Expectation vs. Reality

When visiting a college program as a high school recruit, you are shown the best sides of the school, which may sometimes be misleading. Many colleges are often portrayed differently from the actual experience, and when the actual school environment is not everything an athlete had hoped for, that's a pretty good reason to transfer.

Coaching Issues / Lack of on Campus Support

When choosing a school, ask athletes on the team how their relationship with their coach is. Coaches may show a different side of themselves when you go through the recruiting process from how they act when you are on the team. This will lead to an unpleasant experience on the team filled with frustration, which most of the time leads to a transfer. Players may also find themselves struggling academically, due to athletic and academic advisors not caring for them as much as they had hoped.

Related: Knowing When to Transfer

Social Life

College is a place to find your passions, learn about what you want to do for the rest of you life, and make valuable connections, including lifelong friendships. The college you choose is not only the team you are playing for, but the team you are playing with. It is important to surround yourself with a crowd that will help you achieve your goals and build a connection with you. Having poor relationships within your college, teammates, and classmates will lead to an unpleasant experience and is something you need to consider when choosing a school.

Location/Family

Athletes will often choose programs without considering the area and state they will be living in. It is important to keep in mind where you will be living, and for many young athletes, how often you will be able to see and take care of your families at home.

Overall, there are many reasons college athletes transfer to another school. Transferring is not a bad idea for many, and can lead to a more successful athletic or academic career. It is important to consider these five factors when choosing a school, as transferring is not an easy process.

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