Colgate Transfer Acceptance Rate
The Colgate University transfer acceptance rate was 9.6% for Fall 2024 — 65 admits from 676 applicants, per Colgate’s Common Data Set 2024-25. Colgate takes transfers for fall and spring, and 19 enrolled for Fall 2024.
Colgate University transfer acceptance rate, at a glance
Colgate transfer figures
Colgate reports transfer admissions in Section D of its Common Data Set. The 2024-25 CDS, the latest Colgate has published, shows 676 transfer applicants for Fall 2024, 65 admitted (9.6%) and 19 enrolled — a Colgate transfer acceptance rate below its 13.9% first-year rate.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 676 | 65 | 9.6% | Colgate CDS |
What GPA do you need for Colgate?
Colgate does not publish a minimum GPA for transfer applicants; the minimum-GPA line in its 2024-25 Common Data Set is blank. Colgate says academic achievement — a student engaged with both ideas and learning — is important to the admission decision, and your Mid-Term Report shows how the current term is going.
At a 9.6% admit rate, a strong Colgate transfer GPA is the baseline, not the differentiator. Courses transfer only with a grade of C or better and Colgate accepts at most 16 course credits, so a record built on rigorous, transferable coursework counts for more than the number alone.
What a competitive Colgate transfer applicant looks like
Competitive Colgate transfer admits share a tight profile. Missing any one of these is where most rejections cluster.
Colgate University transfer requirements
Application Essays
Submit the Common App for Transfer or the Coalition on Scoir transfer application, including its essay. Use it to show why Colgate — and why now. Optional materials can add context, but the essay is what every reader sees.
Letters of Recommendation
One academic evaluation from a college professor, plus a College Report and a Mid-Term Report. Choose a professor who can speak to your work in depth.
Credits
Colgate accepts up to 16 course credits for courses graded C or better, and transfers complete at least four terms and 16 course credits at Colgate.
Test Scores
SAT and ACT scores are optional for transfers. Admitted applicants who chose to have scores considered must then send official scores.
Interested in transferring to Colgate?
Book a 1-hour Zoom consultation with “The Goat” — a Stanford transfer student turned advisor, who’s spent the last decade helping applicants transfer into elite schools.
Why most Colgate transfer applications get rejected
Most rejections trace back to one of five patterns. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them before you apply.
- Not having strong extracurriculars.A strong GPA isn’t enough — admissions officers want to see sustained commitment and leadership outside the classroom.
- Not having a competitive GPA.AOs need to know you can handle the coursework.
- Not telling a story that catches the AO’s attention.A list of accomplishments isn’t a narrative. The strongest essays connect who you are, why you’re transferring, and why Colgate specifically — in a way that’s memorable, not generic.
- Not having a compelling reason to transfer.“I want a bigger school” or “better opportunities” reads as vague. Admissions officers want a specific, personal reason tied to your goals and to Colgate.
- Not having strong personal recommendation letters.A rushed request to a professor who barely knows you shows. Build real relationships early so your recommenders can speak to specifics, not generalities.
Want us to spot these in your file before you submit? Book a 60-minute review ?
How Colgate compares to peers
If you plan to transfer to Colgate University, these upstate New York and Pennsylvania liberal arts schools make strong parallel applications. Hamilton and Lafayette admitted transfers at roughly twice Colgate’s rate, and Bucknell higher still.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colgate University accept transfer students?
Yes. Colgate admits transfers for both fall and spring semesters. You can apply as a transfer if you have matriculated in a college-level degree program or if you hold an associate degree. 19 new transfers enrolled for Fall 2024.
When do Colgate transfer decisions come out?
Fall applicants get decisions in late April; spring applicants get decisions in early December.
How many transfer students does Colgate University accept?
For Fall 2024, Colgate admitted 65 of 676 transfer applicants, and 19 enrolled, per its Common Data Set 2024-25.
What is the Colgate University transfer acceptance rate?
The Colgate University transfer acceptance rate was 9.6% for Fall 2024 (65 admits from 676 applicants). That makes transfer admission tighter than Colgate’s 13.9% first-year rate.
When is the Colgate University transfer application due?
The Colgate University transfer deadline is March 15 for fall entry and November 1 for spring entry. Supplementary materials are due by the same deadlines, and the application fee is $60 (waivers are available).
Can I apply if I took a gap year or break?
Yes, as long as you have matriculated in a college-level degree program — a break doesn’t appear as a disqualifier in Colgate’s transfer instructions. Expect to send transcripts and a College Report, and use your essay to explain the gap.
What if I already have a degree?
An associate degree does not stop you: Colgate explicitly invites associate-degree holders to apply as transfers. Its instructions don’t address applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree, so confirm with the admission office first.
Where this data comes from
- Colgate — Common Data Set 2024-25 — Section D2 transfer admit data (primary source)
- Colgate Admission — Transfer Applicants — deadlines, requirements, eligibility
- Common Application — application platform
Want a real shot at Colgate?
Colgate admitted 65 of 676 transfer applicants for Fall 2024 — a Colgate transfer acceptance rate of 9.6%. Our consultants will look at your transcript, your reasons for transferring, and your fit with Colgate.