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Application Requirements for Transfer Students

  1. Application submitted via our online application
  2. Official college transcripts for all schools attended
  3. Personal statement or essay
  4. Letter of recommendation
    *A portfolio review or audition is required for the Visual Arts and Performing Arts programs
Transfer Checklist Fall 2024 PDF Document Cover

Download Your Transfer Checklist

Get your guide to stay on track during your transfer journey.

Transfer Checklist Downloadable Fall 2024
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Why Transfer to Russell Sage College?

  • Guaranteed scholarships:
    Merit scholarships start at $18,500 per year guaranteed for up to three years with more aid available based on financial need or other factors.
  • We’ll take your credits:
    Transfer up to 75 credits.
  • We’re among the best:
    For the fifth year in a row, Russell Sage College was named to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll, which recognized just 228 colleges in the country for the way they serve transfer students and their transfer students’ success.
  • Professors love to talk to prospective transfer students:
    Want to dive deeper into the curriculum or get to know the faculty before you decide? We can connect you with our professors during the admissions process.
  • Your experience counts:
    We recognize students come to us with employment, military, community service, or personal life experience that has given them expertise in certain areas. We offer the opportunity for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) if students demonstrate college-level learning through a written portfolio.
  • Want to live on campus (or at least eat there)?
    No housing waiting lists here. And we consider commuter students in our meal plans so you can grab a bite to eat before classes without having to buy a large plan.
  • We have a top nursing program:
    With more than 100 years of history, a state-of-the-art simulation lab, and a special partnership with Albany Med Health System, there’s a reason our name is synonymous with nursing. And unlike many other colleges and universities, we’re transfer friendly for nursing students with a GPA requirement of 3.0.
  • Outstanding master’s degree programs:
    Transfer here and stay here for any of our two dozen graduate degree programs, which are competitively priced – even with public universities. You might even be able to start some of those courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have enrolled at a college, community college, or university AFTER completing high school, home school, or your GED, then you are a transfer student!  Have a unique story and still aren’t sure?  Email us at [email protected]u, and we can chat further. 

  • High school students who already know they’ll be enrolling at a community college before applying to Sage. It’s never too early to reach out, and we can help make sure you’re on the right path with your community college curriculum.
  • Community college students who are ready to take that step toward their bachelor’s degree. Some students have earned an associate degree and others haven’t. We’ll evaluate all of your courses either way!
  • Students at four-year colleges or universities who are looking for a change or different experience.
  • Students that previously started a degree but for various reasons couldn’t finish. We can help you get to that degree completion.

  • Transcripts from any college you attended must be submitted to Russell Sage.
  • Requesting transcripts from other colleges can be done through that college’s Registrar Office. Most transcripts can be sent electronically for the quickest service, but that can vary depending on the school. Paper hard-copy transcripts are also available.
  • Official transcripts must come directly from the College you requested them from. Please have the college direct them to the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Russell Sage. This is necessary regardless of the number of credits earned, even if the information appears on another institution’s transcript. Failure to report all previously attended colleges on the application will cause a delay in the application process.
  • Electronic transcripts may be emailed from the transfer college directly to Russell Sage College, [email protected] or through US mail: Russell Sage College, Office of Admission, 65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180.
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Transfer Resources

With a Transferology account, you can compare courses from your current college with courses offered at Sage. It is free to create an account, and user-friendly.  Don’t see your courses listed?  Don’t stress! We’ll work with our faculty to see how your credits can come in.

Students may view a list of their approved transfer credits in their Self Service account. Go to Self Service – Student Planning – Academics Menu – Transfer Summary Link. Note: Transfer credits are accepted/posted to students’ records based on their declared major program upon admission to the College. 

Official transcripts are required for transfer credits to be uploaded to your Sage record. The transfer college Registrar’s Office sends directly to Sage an official transcript.

Send to (two options):
Email: electronic transcripts are emailed from the transfer college directly to Sage, [email protected]
US Mail: Russell Sage College, Office of Admission, 65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180

Are you a current Russell Sage student looking to take a class elsewhere and transfer it back to Sage?
Prior approval is required. See the Transfer Credit Permission Form (Sage Registrar’s Office Google form) in Self Service (Academics Menu) for more information.
See the Undergraduate Catalog for the Transfer Credit Policy

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Transfer Admission Contact

Associate Director of Undergraduate Enrollment Management- Transfer