Transfer Students
It’s time to make a change. Whether you are transferring from a large university or another small institution, Hampshire College offers transfer students the opportunity to build a customized program of study drawing upon coursework they have already completed. Transfer students are eligible for merit scholarships and will be automatically considered when they apply to Hampshire.
To be considered eligible to apply as a transfer student:
- Students must have enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university on a full- or part-time basis and have completed at least 15 transferable college credits, or 23 quarter credits post-high school.
- Courses must be comparable in content, nature, and intensity to courses offered at Hampshire College.
- Courses must be graded "C" or better (or "Pass" in a Pass/Fail course), and not recorded as high school credit. Courses for which credits are transferred must be worth at least 3 semester credits, or 2.67 quarter credits.
- Transferable courses can not have been recorded on a high school diploma, except for courses completed during high school dual-enrollment programs when the student’s transfer institution has awarded them credit.
- Students who have completed fewer than 15 semester credits or 23 quarter credits of college work post-high school will be considered first-year entrants with advanced standing and should apply as first year students.
Hampshire College will transfer courses completed during high school dual-enrollment programs only if a student's transfer institution has awarded credit for them. Hampshire will also transfer AP scores of 4+, and IB scores of 5+ for up to four Division I elective requirements. We do not accept ACE credits.
The minimum residency requirement for graduation is three semesters, regardless of how many credits are transferable. Students receiving financial aid should consult with the financial aid office regarding the number of semesters of financial aid eligibility. It is not recommended that transfer students attempt to complete their education at Hampshire college in fewer than four semesters. Because the development of a Division II plan as an enrolled student is an integral and crucial aspect of the Hampshire education, transfer students can realistically expect to complete their education in four to seven semesters, contingent on the completion of Division II and all other graduation requirements. Division III is always a two-semester undertaking.
Hampshire College and the Massachusetts Guarantee Program
Transfer students make up a significant proportion of the Hampshire Community. We want to continue to support them by making their transition to our institution more affordable and accessible through our partnership with the Massachusetts Guarantee Program (Massachusetts Guarantee). Learn more about the Massachusetts Guarantee Program here.
To be considered eligible for the Massachusetts Guarantee Program:
- Students must hold an associate degree from a public Massachusetts community college
- Students must meet a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement of 2.50
The Massachusetts Guarantee ensures acceptance to Hampshire College, and all other participating institutions, for students who meet this criteria. Students who do not meet the qualifications to apply under the Massachusetts Guarantee Program are still encouraged to apply through the normal transfer process.
Massachusetts Community College Scholarship for Transfer Students
All students who transfer to Hampshire College will be offered a merit scholarship upon acceptance, ranging from $27,000 to $35,000 per year. Merit scholarships are renewable each year a student attends Hampshire, as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and continuous full-time enrollment. These scholarships will be renewable for up to six semesters (three academic years).
In addition to their merit awards noted above, students transferring from Massachusetts community colleges will be eligible for one of three additional merit scholarships:
- Massachusetts Community College Transfer Award: A $2,000 award for students who have not earned an associate degree but complete over 30 credits with a grade of "C" or better, including credits with a "Pass" grade.
- Massachusetts Guarantee Achievement Award: A $2,000 award to recognize students who have completed their associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a combined academic GPA above a 3.00.
- Massachusetts Guarantee Excellence Award: A $4,000 award to recognize students who have completed their associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a combined academic GPA above a 3.50.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for Transfer Students
This award is offered to transfer students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. Students who earn this recognition are outstanding leaders that have demonstrated academic excellence at their prior institution. Phi Theta Kappa members admitted to Hampshire will receive a merit scholarship of $35,000 per year. If they are students at Massachusetts community colleges, they will also be eligible to receive a Massachusetts Community College Scholarship. Learn more about the Massachusetts Guarantee Program here.
Additionally, transfer students may apply for need-based financial aid. Hampshire’s Financial Aid Office will determine a student’s eligibility for federal and state financial assistance based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students that are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will be required to submit a CSS Profile, instead of the FAFSA, in order to apply for need-based aid. More information on tuition and financial aid can be found here.
Required Application Materials
The Hampshire College Admissions Office assesses every application holistically in order to better understand each applicant's unique journey. To apply, submit the following materials:
- Completed Common Application
- Writing Supplements:
- Proposed Program of Study:
Please describe your academic interests and goals in detail. Provide examples of the types of courses you wish to take and any independent projects, internships, or field studies you envision yourself doing. The Proposed Program of Study is not a contract; it is intended to determine an appropriate academic advisor.
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Why are you transferring?
- Proposed Program of Study:
- All college transcripts
- Transfer Mid-Term Report (if currently enrolled)
- Final high school transcript
- One (1) academic letter of recommendation
In addition to the above materials, international students will need to submit:
- English Proficiency Requirement: If available, please submit a TOEFL iBT (minimum score of 91), IELTS (minimum score of 6.5), or Duolingo English Test (DET) (minimum score of 110). If you haven’t taken the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET, we will also accept the following as evidence of English proficiency:
- IB (Higher Level) English A1 or A2 grades: minimum grade of "4".
- AP English Literature and Composition grades: minimum grade of "C" or 75/100.
- Predicted A-level English exam marks: minimum predicted (or earned) mark of "C"
- If none of these apply, you may also request an English Proficiency waiver by contacting us at admissions@hampshire.edu. Reasons for a waiver might include: speaking English as a first language, studying in an English-language curriculum, etc.
- Any international transfer applicants who have studied for at least one year at a U.S. college or university will automatically have their English Proficiency requirement waived.
Application Deadlines
Spring 2025 |
Deadline | Notification |
| Domestic Transfer Students | November 1 | December 1 |
| International Transfer Students | November 1 | November 10 |
Fall 2025 |
Deadline | Notification |
| Domestic Transfer Students | March 15 | April 15 |
| International Transfer Students | March 15 | April 15 |
Optional Application Materials
Some optional application materials can be submitted through the Common Application. You will also have the opportunity, after applying, to submit additional optional materials such as photos, videos, PDFs, Word documents, and music files through your online application portal with Hampshire College.
- Tell us about a collaborative, group, or community-engaged activity that has been especially meaningful to you and why.
- Video/media supplement. This could be music, dance, film, animation, monologue, etc.
- Project sample: Submit an example of your independent or collaborative project work. This project can be creative, scientific, or otherwise to showcase the type of work you've done.
- Additional letters of recommendation, up to three.
We also highly recommend an interview If you are interested, contact the admissions office.
Common Application Writing Supplement
Proposed Program of Study
Please describe your academic interests and goals in one to three paragraphs. You might include the types of courses you wish to take (although a listing of course titles alone is insufficient) and any independent projects, internships, or field studies you envision yourself doing. The Proposed Program of Study is not a contract; it is intended to help determine whether Hampshire is an appropriate place for you to continue your academic studies.
Application Status
Once we process your application, we will send an acknowledgment email that includes a username and password for you to check the completeness of your admissions file online. To make sure that you receive your decision, we recommend not opting out of email communications.