When Madison Stephens was thinking about transferring to Seattle Pacific for her sophomore year, it was all about finding the right environment and fit. “I was hoping to find a school that would not only help me grow in my personal faith but also a school that cared about the fine and performing arts,” Stephens said. “As an art student, SPU has a fantastic team of staff and faculty that not only help you grow in your talents but also care about you as an individual.”
Aysha Caoili started searching for a new university after her school shut down. “I was attracted to SPU for their amazing nursing program and the various multicultural clubs they had to offer! Also, the beautiful city of Seattle was a very good selling point,” Caoili said.
Every year, more than 200 students transfer to Seattle Pacific University. Sometimes it’s a geographical or financial decision, or students are hoping to transfer from a community college to a four-year institution.
Whatever the reasons, we’d love to welcome you to SPU, where we hope you will thrive academically and where we can connect you with our transfer-friendly community!
Here are some of the most common questions students have about transferring to SPU:
I’ve already taken some college classes. Will my credits transfer to SPU?
Everyone’s situation is a bit different, so we encourage you to attend our webinars, email us your questions, or set up an appointment with us so we can offer you the best advice based on your specific situation.
A transfer admissions counselor can give you an idea of which credits will be accepted, but once you apply and are admitted to SPU, you will receive an official transcript evaluation. Before registering for classes, you will have an academic advising appointment with one of SPU’s Student Academic Services counselors, so you will know exactly what courses SPU will accept and the next steps you need to take.
You can also refer to the Transfer Equivalency Guide, for more information.
If I took Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, or if I’m a Running Start student in Washington who took college-level classes in high school, am I a transfer student or a freshman?
Even if you took Running Start classes or AP courses during high school, you still will enter SPU as a freshman, or first year student. If you earned any college credits after graduating from high school, you will enter SPU as a transfer student.
In order to receive credit for AP classes, International Baccalaureate, CLEP, or Cambridge International Exam credits, the testing agency will need to submit official scores to SPU. Credit will be awarded using SPU’s transfer policies found in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog.
And if you have completed an associate degree from a Washington, Oregon, or California regionally accredited university or two-year college, your degree may fulfill Common and Exploratory Curriculum requirements through the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA).
When is the best time to transfer?
We know life circumstances change quickly, so Seattle Pacific is able to accept transfer students in any quarter — fall, winter, or spring — but you should consult with a transfer admissions counselor to review your degree requirements and a course catalog since some classes are only offered during specific quarters. Fall is the most popular time for students to transfer to SPU, with approximately 200 transfer students participating in a comprehensive orientation the university puts on for new students.
What scholarships and financial aid are available to transfer students?
SPU is committed to removing financial barriers for students who want to attend our nationally ranked, private Christian college. We offer Merit Scholarships ranging from $3,000 up to $12,000 for transfer students based on your cumulative college-level GPA.
Here are a few of the scholarships available to transfer students:
- The Seattle Pacific Transfer Promise offers at least 50% off tuition for Seattle-area community college students who are part of the Seattle Promise program and have graduated from a Seattle Public High School within the last two years.
- SPU offers scholarships to Direct Transfer Degree students who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 and an approved AA degree from a Washington, Oregon, or California community college, as well as a full-tuition Falcon Bound Commitment for those who are part of the Washington State College Bound Scholarship Program.
- Seattle Pacific also partners with Raise.me which provides micro-scholarships to high school and transfer students.
You can learn more about available scholarships for transfer students here. Find more information about transferring to SPU or email us at transfer@spu.edu.
