Transferring is no easy task. You have a lot of decisions to make, and usually it's in a time crunch–you don't get the multi-year recruiting process you did in high school when deciding to transfer! But if you're considering transferring, here is a list of a few questions that you may ask yourself before pulling the trigger.
- Can I transfer within the conference?
This is a tricky question. Of course, you can transfer anywhere you want if that team is interested in you. If you were transferring before 2021, you may have had to sit out a year due to intraconference transferring. Now, a lot of conferences are doing away with that rule. One of those conferences being the SEC as recently as 2021. So be sure to check if this rule still applies to the conference of your choice.
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- Will my credits transfer?
This cannot be answered by me, but should definitely be a conversation you are having with yourself as you're participating in your own transfer process. If you have narrowed it down to a few schools, you should chat with the school's registrar before making a decision. Sometimes they can tell you which ones will transfer just by looking at them, but then may need to go in more depth with other courses to decide if they will transfer. If enough credits do not transfer, you may be off track to graduate on time, and that is another conversation you should have about what you want academically.
- Will I get a scholarship?
Of course depending on the division, you would know if you are eligible for a scholarship. Also depending on the time of year you are transferring could dictate the scholarship you receive, if any at all. Some coaches keep scholarships throughout the year for a potential transfer, but it is not always guaranteed, and that can depend on the division and sport as well. Communicate openly with your potential coaches about financial aid.
Related: Athletic Scholarships by Division
- Can I enter the transfer portal on my own?
The answer to the question is no. There is nothing an athlete can do on their own to enter the transfer portal. Usually how it goes is you contact the compliance office at your school and they send you a release form. You sign it and within a few days you are in the portal. Of course, you will probably want to talk to your coach before contacting the compliance director to transfer–better for them to find out through you than through the compliance department.
- Will I be able to go on an official visit?
This is another tricky question and it really depends on the sport and the time of year you are transferring. Some schools hold spring visits for winter sports that have finished but if you're a spring sport, you might be out of luck. A lot of transfers do not visit their school before transferring which can be a slippery slope in itself. Be sure to plan an official visit if you need to take one to feel comfortable in your eventual decision.
If you're transferring or thinking about transferring, you might think of a million other questions, but these are some common ones that you should be thinking about before you make any big decision. Planning ahead is key in the transfer process!
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* Originally published on May 31, 2022, by Kyle Haflich
