Applying as a Transfer Student

You’re ambitious. Fully invested in your education—and ready to do what it takes to get where you want to go. You’re probably looking to surround yourself with other people like that, too. You’ll find them here.

What We’re Looking For

To submit a transfer application, you must have already completed 12 or more credit hours of college coursework at a regionally accredited university after graduating high school, or be seeking a second bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be in good standing with their previous colleges/universities.

Transfer students at Butler come from a variety of backgrounds, but stats are a good way of knowing where you stand. These figures represent the transfer class that entered in fall 2022:

3.49-4.14: Middle 50% GPA range of transfer students in 2022
2.5: Minimum recommended cumulative GPA, with no grades below C- in your most recent semester

Transferring Credits

The Office of Registration and Records will evaluate your transcript to determine which of the classes you’ve taken can qualify for credit at Butler. If the class was taught at a regionally accredited institution, was at least 100-level, and you earned a C-minus or better, it is eligible for consideration.

See Transfer Course Equivalencies

Transfer Application Checklist

Here’s a summary of what you’ll need to complete your application:

Students applying to Butler can apply using the Common App. Butler requires a non-refundable $50 application fee (paid via the Common App). Eligible students with financial need may qualify for an application fee waiver through the Common App.

Applicants must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended, sent by the issuing institution. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to transferadmission@butler.edu or mailed directly from the issuing institution.

Applicants must be in good standing with their previous colleges/universities. A total cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is preferred for admission consideration for most majors, with no grades below C- in the most recent semester.

If you’ve completed fewer than 20 college credits since graduating high school, you must submit your final high school transcript (graduation date posted) with your application for admission. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to transferadmission@butler.edu or mailed directly from the issuing institution.

If you’ve completed more than 20 college credits, you’ll just need to provide it before enrolling at Butler (we’ll ask for it down the road).

We know you’re more than standardized test scores—in fact, in most cases, we’ve made them optional.

Transfer applicants with fewer than 20 college credit hours completed will be asked if they wish to apply with standardized test scores or apply test-optional. If you choose to apply with test scores, the scores may be self-reported, but official scores must be submitted prior to enrollment (August 1 for fall enrollment or January 1 for spring enrollment).

Learn more about test-optional admission at Butler

Transfer Admission Deadlines

Transfer admission is done on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage interested transfer students to apply before our priority application deadlines to maximize their scholarship consideration.

Decide whether you want to start in the fall or spring, and make a note of these dates:

August 1: Application opens
March 1: Suggested date to file or update the FAFSA
June 1: Priority application deadline for scholarship consideration
August 1: Enrollment deposit refund deadline

We continue accepting applications for rolling fall admission after June 1. We share fall transfer admission decisions on a rolling basis.

Need-Based Financial Aid: Priority consideration for all need-based gift assistance is given to admitted transfer students who submit or update their FAFSA by the priority application deadline. For fall applicants, this would be June 1. After those dates, eligibility for gift assistance is subject to the availability of funds.

August 1: Application opens
November 1: Priority application deadline for scholarship consideration
January 1: Enrollment deposit refund deadline

We continue accepting applications for rolling spring admission after November 1. We share spring admission decisions on a rolling basis.

Need-Based Financial Aid: Priority consideration for all need-based gift assistance is given to admitted spring students who submit or update the FAFSA by the priority application deadline. For spring applicants, this would be November 1. After those dates, eligibility for gift assistance is subject to the availability of funds.

On-campus Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) applicants and Online PharmD applicants are encouraged to complete the PharmCAS application by April 1, 2023. 

Additional Program Requirements

If you’re applying to one of these programs or identify with a population listed below, you may need to take a few extra steps to complete your application.

Students applying to transfer into the Health Sciences program in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) must submit a final high school transcript.

Pharmacy: To apply for transfer into the 4-year professional phase of the PharmD program, apply directly to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) by April 1, 2023. Only complete the Common App if you are wishing to apply to the pre-professional phase of the Pharmacy program. The recommended total cumulative GPA for prospective Pharmacy students is 3.0 or higher.

Learn more about Pharmacy admission

Majoring in the arts? You must complete an Art, Arts Administration, Dance, Music, or Theatre supplement in addition to the Common App. Please note that this requirement does not apply to students majoring in Art History.

Audition, portfolio review, or interview: All JCA majors except for those majoring in Art History must also complete an audition, portfolio review, and/or interview. After completing your Common App and supplement, we’ll send you an email to select a date.

Learn more about Jordan College of the Arts admission

In addition to the required items listed above, international students must submit:

  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • A clear copy of your passport
  • Evidence of financial support

Learn more about international student admission

Welcome back! If you are a former Butler student in good standing and wish to return to Butler to finish your undergraduate degree, you don’t have to reapply.

Learn more about coming back to Butler

We’re grateful for your service, and proud to support you as you earn your college degree. Several members of our admission team can help with the application process.

Learn more about admission information for veterans