If you want to transfer to a smallish research university in the south, Wake Forest University may be the perfect choice. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest has exceptional STEM programs, a gorgeous location, and a generous financial aid policy (they meet 100% of demonstrated need! We love that!).
Wake Forest is also a good choice for transfer applicants. While it isn’t easy to transfer in, they receive relatively few applications and let in a solid number of transfers. Last year, they accepted around 100 out of 300 or about 29%. This is slightly higher than their first-year acceptance rate, which was around 22%. 29% isn’t an “easy in,” but if you put in the work and are a good candidate, there is a clear path to acceptance at Wake. And we are here to help break down what you need to do to get into Wake as a transfer.
Wake’s Requirements
Wake Forest requires very little from transfer applicants. They don’t require a certain number of college credits; they just say, “A student who has graduated from high school and then taken any college coursework must apply as a transfer applicant to Wake Forest.” They also require applicants to have a minimum college GPA of 2.0. (We will discuss that further shortly.)
Applicants are also asked to submit transcripts (from both high school and college), a personal essay, and a statement of good standing upon enrollment.
Get Good Grades
While Wake only requires a 2.0, you probably won’t get in with a 2.0. Similarly, you want to take a full course load, even though they don’t require it. Getting good grades and taking a full class load will let Wake know you are a serious college student who can handle studying at Wake.
Set yourself up for success by taking classes you think you can do well in. For example, if AP French almost tanked your GPA in high school, it probably isn’t the best idea to take a high-level French course in your first semester of college. College is also hard, so if you are struggling, you need to be proactive. Get help! Check out the tutoring center, join a study group, and go to office hours. Wake doesn’t ask for much, but they care about your transcript! Make it a good one.
Develop Your Niche
As a transfer, you already need to have a plan. You want to know what you want to study, but even more than that, you want your entire application to tell a story. Part of that has to be your extracurriculars. You want to choose quality ways of getting involved outside of class that connect to your larger package. For example, if you plan to study Environmental Science, your resume could include being the VP of the campus green team, an internship with a local wetland conservancy, and, of course, research. No matter what you want to study, getting involved in research will be a great addition to your resume. Ask your professors if they need assistance, and check in with the undergraduate research center at your school. You want to be the complete package. That means having a solid academic plan, on-campus involvement, and an impressive resume.
Essays
This comes a little later, but an excellent essay will help you stand out. Wake asks for transfers to answer a pretty standard question.
Explain your reasons for desiring to attend Wake Forest fully. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source. (1,250-3,250 characters, or approximately 250-650 words)
Okay, first thing first: Don’t type this directly into the box. This essay needs research, editing, and proofreading. Work on it elsewhere. Trust us.
This question is really direct. They want to know why you want to attend Wake Forest. We have a bit of a formula for answering this type of question. However, in this case, you need to add another layer: your reason for transferring.
The first step of this essay is to make sure you have a good reason for transferring. When we first talk to transfer applicants, they often say something like, “I want to transfer because it's a better/prestigious school.” That won’t work here. You need a specific reason why you want to transfer, and it needs to connect to Wake directly. For example, maybe you are at a huge state school and think a smaller school community (like the one at Wake) will help you with your academic goals. Now we are talking. Your reason needs to be solid, as it will inform the rest of your essay.
Once you have your reason, you want to back it up with why Wake Forest is the best place for you. We recommend starting this essay with a short personal story about how you fell in love with your intended major. For example, if you hope to study computer science, you could talk about building your first computer. You also want to state what you want to major in at Wake Forest. Depending on your reason for transferring, you can also introduce it here.
Then, it is time to back it up with facts. You want to mention specific opportunities at Wake Forest and how they connect to your goals or interests. You should speak to at least two higher-level classes in your major and a professor you would love to work with. However, you can also speak to any other specific academic opportunities that speak to you at Wake. This is also a great place to start discussing your reason for transferring. You don’t want to trash your current school, but you should make it clear that Wake has the opportunities you are looking for.
You should then do the same with extracurriculars. You need to mention at least one specific club or out-of-class activity that aligns with your interests. Maybe you have a goal to do research; you can talk about how you want to get involved at Wake’s URECA Center. This is also a great time to talk about the Wake community and what appeals to you about it. Just remember, be specific!
Finally, wrap it up! You want the reader to leave with a couple of takeaways:
You have a good and thought-out reason for transferring
Would be an asset for Wake Forest
And that it is the best place for you.
Wake Forest is an excellent choice for transfers. If you're serious about getting in, follow these steps, and you should do great! And if you are still nervous, we can help!
Contact us today to speak with a dedicated counselor about all things applications!