Lafayette College Transfer Acceptance Rate
The Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate was 21.2% for Fall 2024 — 40 admits from 189 applicants, per Lafayette’s Common Data Set 2024-25. Lafayette admits transfers for fall and spring, with no minimum number of credits required to apply.
Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate, at a glance
Lafayette transfer figures
Lafayette reports transfer admissions in Section D of its Common Data Set. The 2024-25 CDS shows 189 transfer applicants for Fall 2024, 40 admitted (21.2%) and 20 enrolled — a Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate below its 31.5% first-year rate.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 189 | 40 | 21.2% | Lafayette CDS |
What GPA do you need for Lafayette?
Lafayette does not publish a minimum GPA or a minimum number of credits for transfer applicants. Your college record is read with a College Report from your current school, a Mid-Term Report you can self-report, and a personal statement on your reasons for transferring.
Credit is evaluated only after you are admitted and pay the enrollment deposit, using the course descriptions and syllabi you submit. Courses need a C or better, and Lafayette notes it is possible for no credits to transfer.
What a competitive Lafayette transfer applicant looks like
Lafayette College transfer requirements set no minimum GPA or credit count, so the rest of your file carries the weight. Missing any one of these is where most rejections cluster.
Lafayette College transfer requirements & deadlines
Application Essays
In the Writing section of Lafayette’s Common App questions, submit a personal statement on your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.
Letters of Recommendation
A professor recommendation is optional and must come directly from the professor. The Common App College Report and Mid-Term Report are required.
Credits
No minimum credits to apply. Transfers enroll full-time, spend at least two years at Lafayette, and take at least half of their major courses there.
Test Scores
SAT and ACT scores are not required but are recommended if you have taken them; self-reported scores are accepted.
Interested in transferring to Lafayette?
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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette.
- 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 Lafayette compares to peers
If Lafayette is your target, these Pennsylvania and New York schools make strong parallel applications. Bucknell admitted transfers at a higher rate, while Haverford and Colgate are considerably more selective.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lafayette College accept transfer students?
Yes. Lafayette admits transfers for fall and spring. Under Lafayette College transfer requirements, anyone who has graduated from high school and matriculated in a degree-seeking program at a college is considered only as a transfer, and there is no minimum number of courses or credits required.
When do Lafayette transfer decisions come out?
Lafayette doesn’t publish a fixed transfer notification date — its Common Data Set lists only the May 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring) closing dates. Aid award letters and any merit scholarship appear in your portal shortly after your acceptance letter.
How many transfer students does Lafayette College accept?
For Fall 2024, Lafayette admitted 40 of 189 transfer applicants and 20 enrolled, per its Common Data Set 2024-25.
What is the Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate?
The Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate was 21.2% for Fall 2024 (40 admits from 189 applicants), lower than Lafayette’s 31.5% first-year rate.
When is the Lafayette College transfer application due?
May 1 for fall enrollment and November 1 for spring enrollment. Lafayette meets 100% of demonstrated need for all accepted students, though need-based aid for non-U.S. citizens is extremely limited.
Can I apply if I took a gap year or break?
It depends on what you did. If you took a gap year after high school without enrolling in a degree-seeking program, Lafayette treats you as a first-year applicant, and gap-year students can take at most two college classes during that time. If you left a degree program, you apply as a transfer.
What if I already have a degree?
Lafayette awards only the A.B. and B.S. degrees, and its transfer page doesn’t describe a second-degree option, so confirm with admissions before applying. Students who matriculated in a degree program, including associate degree programs, apply as transfers.
Where this data comes from
- Lafayette — Common Data Set 2024-25 — Section D transfer admit data (primary source)
- Lafayette Admissions — Transfer Students — requirements, deadlines, credit, aid
- Common Application — application platform
Want a real shot at Lafayette?
Lafayette admitted 40 of 189 transfer applicants for Fall 2024 — a Lafayette College transfer acceptance rate of 21.2%. Our consultants will look at your transcript, your reasons for transferring, and your fit with Lafayette.