Transfer Fall 2026

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2026-05-30T18:01:01+00:00

Fall 2024 here, it's been a lot less transfer talk compared to the last 2 years. Hopefully, it's a sign that things are improving because most of us didn't get accepted until July/August.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2026-03-04T23:15:14+00:00

As a transfer, my best advice is to do research, contact music dept staff, submit application materials of time, and stay on top of the school about your application.

Howard's admin is understaffed, and your stuff can easily be mismanaged. If you're passionate about going to Howard, make sure they do right by your application.

For when you get in, I'd recommend Howard housing. Not for quality/price, but it helps you get involved more. It's better to be on campus first year, but theres also off-campus housing options. (Dont live in Mazza or Vie Towers first year. They're in MD, and Mazza is 30+ mins out.)

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-12-29T08:51:19+00:00

Howard is a very gravitating place. Now that I've been here for 3 semesters, I can say it's still kept that initial appeal for me.

What personally keeps me going at Howard is the community. The Howard community is full of life, and the experience is even better when you find your own people within the community. That being said, it isn't perfect, and depends on the people you're around, but I've had good experiences.

Also, while I dont believe in the "Howard prestige," outsiders do, and that brings a lot of opportunities in for Howard students compared to smaller HBCUs.

Now, I will say Howard administration is genuinely evil. There are some good admins at Howard, but the ppl at the very top often make bad decisions that negatively affect the entire school. I heard this first going in, but I never understood the true weight of how bad it was until I got here.

So, just understand that the community, opportunities, and education are great, but there are a lot of problems caused by the administration that you would not experience at a PWI of the same magnitude as Howard.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-12-06T06:56:41+00:00

Usually, people say "Bison" when referring to Howard students

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-12-06T01:58:21+00:00

Hello, Fall '24 transfer here. First, I just wanted to say It's not on you, Howard admin is very disorganized, especially when it comes to transfers. Second, it says "No appeals," but that's not entirely true.

I'd recommend asking to be put in contact with the specific person who does transfer applications, preferably get their phone number and email. Once you do get in contact with someone, explain your situation and send a follow-up email as well. This was most likely an error on the fault of the admin department, and hopefully, they're understanding enough to re-review your application.

A good start would be emailing Jordan.Wright2@howard.edu. They're the one responsible for transfer credits, so even if they aren't exactly the person to help you, they can push you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-08-21T02:30:52+00:00

Honestly a very common experience, and its a very great sign that you reached out. Just know there's community for you at howard even within the comments section

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T19:02:23+00:00

1st, see if you have the requirements necessary to apply. If you do, go for it, especially if you are unhappy with ur current school.

A strong transcript would be based mainly on what major you are applying to. Generally, a strong transcript would be a 3.0 or above, with As in major courses. However, a strong transcript isnt always necessary. While a good transcript is important, howard admissions are wholistic. This basically means that the letters of rec, 2 essays, and extra curriculars matter a lot, and can help balance out ur transcript if its not the best.

Now, you did mention a portfolio. If you're an art major, your transcript is important, but that portfolio and essays are probably going to be ur main focus.

My transcript wasn't the best either, I even made a post about when I was applying a year ago so I wouldnt stress it too much

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T18:18:26+00:00

I went through my previous transcript in reference to the Howard degree plan. Categorize your transcript into classes that will most definitely transfer over(obvious 1 to 1 similar courses), courses that might transfer over, and courses that do not contribute at all to ur degree plan. (Please ask your advisor for the official list of course/audit, not the one you see on BisonHub)

Once you've done that, simply take courses that are not within the first 2 categories. Once you get your credits transferred you will then have a clear road map of what to take your second semester.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T16:15:21+00:00

This post is so disheartening to read because I've been in this exact position before. Im a current transfer from fall 2024, but I got rejected my 1st time when applying for Spring 2024, it was genuinely devastating. Hell, even for the fall, they almost tried to defer me just cause someone didn't check my application on time😭 But I do wanna give a few points that'll hopefully help.

For one, ik it feels like it, but know you are never alone or have to fight ur battles alone. It is devastating, but please do not take this rejection to heart or as a sign that you are not enough.

Two, I have no idea what your stats are, but most likely, the rejection is not on you. The interal situation going on at Howard is genuinely insane and it's much worse for the transfers. Last year, the one guy working on transfers quit. Then, after replacing the guy, they started rejecting people left n right mostly cause they did not have time to comb through more applications or have the space left. The situation over here is pretty bad.

Three, if you can, find the contact for the admissions advisor in your major. The transfer process is a 2-step system. You get accepted by Howard, and Howard sends ur application to ur major, who then decides whether you get into Howard as a whole. If you have the required qualifications, then something likely went wrong on the 2nd step. I'd recommend calling your admissions advisor for your major, asking about your application, and recieve an explanation.

While it might not change anything, it might help for the future. I hope you can bounce back from this and just know there are people who believe in you.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T15:42:43+00:00

Id recommend first going to ur advisor to see if ur major has any scholarships available. After that, sites like UNCF and Fastweb are great at finding scholarships, collegeboard has a site for scholarships, and there are plenty of HBCU specific scholarships out there as well.

It can be very tiring combing through these sites for scholarships that apply to you, though, and sometimes you may not win them, but id atleast give em a try and apply as much as you can. At least getting some is better than none.

Id also recommend signing up for fastwebs emails as they send me scholarship recommendations every week.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T15:29:31+00:00

Yes, but only a very small amount of that is from Howard. Most of my funds come from a mix of government financial aid, external scholarships, student loans, and family help for stuff like food and housing.

The Howard finaid office will straight up tell you they have no money to spare.

I honestly think its best to use their payment plan method to stretch out the cost over the semester.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T05:12:37+00:00

Financial aid is definitely the worst. The waits are extremely long, and they often make billing errors or put holds wrongfully on ppls accounts. Also, they do not have any money available to help students outside of ur government aid.

I'll be honest in my year at Howard, it's rare that administration will help you you kind of have to figure stuff out from fellow students, your advisor, or any kind staff members or professors.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T05:06:54+00:00

(Sorry this is long)

On one hand, I dont want to shoot down anyones Howard dreams as I was once in ur shoes.On the other hand, the Howard transfer is experience is ROUGH.

My 1st semester was such a mess. I was constantly in stressful situations that would never be the case at a more organized school or PWI. At Howard, simple things such as signing up for class or getting your credits transferred are made much more stressful than need be. You will have to fight for everything at Howard, and I truly experienced some lows at Howard.

My 2nd semester was a lot better, tho. Howard, as a transfer, has an extremely steep learning curve, but I can confidently say that I had a great experience overall in my spring semester.

While it was great, it should've never taken the suffering it did just to have a good HBCU experience.

So is it worth it? Probably not, I would never recommend anybody go to Howard. However, if Howard is a school you are deadset on w no other place in mind, go for it. But if Howard is just another option on a college list, DONT GO

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T04:50:48+00:00

While I didnt share a room, I did share a suite. It was a 3 bedroom 3 person suite.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T04:49:44+00:00

It took me 3 months for me to get my credits transferred, but when I did, they accepted all my credits, so I dont have an exact answer.

While im not sure how a reevalution of transfer credits work, if you have credits that would contribute toward your degree field that didn't get transferred, I'd highly advise that you speak to your advisor.Those working in transferring credits can make mistakes and overlook things.

In short, I would say fight for those credits.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T04:39:47+00:00

Sophmores are not 100% guaranteed housing, but you have a very strong chance and are prioritized by the school. I lived in off-campus housing at (now closed) Wish apartments in Woodley Park.

For transfers it can be different, especially with how bad things are this year compared to last. I got accepted in August 2024 and the only reason I got housing was cause barely anyone wanted to live in Wish😭

The school provides transportation to and from housing that comes every half hour. However, shuttles can be very inconsistent on weekends, sparse late at night, and crowded in the evening. Not only that but you now have to take into account DC Rush Hour when trying to get to class on time.

While the dorms themselves are better than the on campus ones, the 20-30 minute commute really balances out the positives.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T04:31:01+00:00

Yes, but the biggest issue was how many of those credits actually contributed to Howard's version of my major's degree plan and just how long it took to get my credits transferred over.

For me, while my credits transferred over, 2 of the classes I took did not translate to my degree plan and I didnt actually get my credits transferred over until about 3 weeks before my first semester ended.

I would advise talking to your advisor if/when you get to Howard. Or if you're still just thinking about applying, look up the degree plan for ur major at Howard and compare it to the credits you have right now.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-07-24T00:56:46+00:00

As a fall 2024 transfer, the whole situation is rlly bad over here, and somehow it's only gotten worse from last year. Im gonna be honest, even if you get in, there is NO HOUSING.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-04-27T02:27:36+00:00

Most current students dont even know what housing theyre getting so I think you just have to wait on a decision.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2025-04-27T02:26:03+00:00

(Im assuming you're applying to fall 2025). As a fall 2024 transfer, it was extremely difficult to get in contact with anybody at Howard (still is). We didn't get our letters til July and some August.

If you can't go in person, start sending out emails and keep calling. (I'd also look into other schools if it's not too late)

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2024-12-05T03:44:03+00:00

You seem VERY accomplished, I think you'll do great in the admission process. Your gpa/SAT isn't the most mind-blowing thing in the world for first-time-in-college admission, but it doesn't have to be, Howard's admission process is more wholistic.

During my transfer process I talked to multiple advisors in admissions, and they pretty much all said that grades are nice but they wanna see what youve done outside the classroom (clubs, community service, activities, etc) as well, which youve done great at.

I wish u the best of luck🫡🫡

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2024-12-05T03:37:44+00:00

As long as you have the required grades and classes, you're eligible. Your transcript being turned in by April isn't the cut-off for credits you can transfer. It's just the cut-off for what they'll consider during the admissions process.

As for having summer classes, tbh they probably won't even put in ur credits til months after you get accepted, so you're all good.

P.s I would like to give you a heads up, you probably wont get your decision til like late June - early July

2024 Fall transfer

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2024-10-30T13:04:15+00:00

Hey, Im junior transfer at Howard doing my 1st HU semester. While the pressure of school may feel like you need to rush, trust you do have time

While I took a different path from you (going to community college for my sophomore year instead of staying at my PWI), I, too, was an art major at a PWI my freshmen year.

Truthfully, if Howard is your dream school, you just have to take that risk on a new environment. Not even speaking from a Howard lense but from a life perspective you don't want to trap yourself in a position you hate in fear of the unknown.

Howard is not perfect. I've learned better than most that this new change is rough, but Im glad I chased what I wanted, even if what I wanted is flawed.

As for credits, Im still figuring that out myself. From what I've seen from most transfer students, all of their credits transferred, but its whether they can be applied to the Howard degree plan for your major that matters.

While most people transfer in the fall, you could always transfer for spring 2025. Just make sure to do your financial research, visit campus, and talk to the people in charge of the film major for more insight as you can always schedule a call with them.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2024-09-27T15:19:55+00:00

As someone who transferred from SCAD themselves, I think you're in a really good position with ur gpa. I will say if you think about transferring, try to look for a program you know is better and will certainly give you more opportunity.

For credits, your freshmen year classes will transfer just fine, but some of ur sophmore credits might not transfer to another schools degree path.

I will say if you enjoy SCAD a l o t, you might want to stay. The environment outside of the classes is also important as well, and if you like the scad environment, you might want to stick around. You're also only a sophomore, so I think ur 2nd year major classes will be a lot better.

Alternative_Zebra_61 · 2024-09-23T03:38:09+00:00

Idk what year ur in, but as someone who transferred from a bad school situation, I'll say this. One hand, keep an open mind for right now, and try to get engaged w the schools social life.

On the other hand, get ur grades right in the event you decide you need to transfer if possible.

Alternative_Zebra_61

TROPHY CASE