Transfer Students

Students who have completed college-level course work at an accredited two-year or four-year institution are eligible to apply as transfer students to Whittier College.

Students who have completed college-level courses during high school, but have not yet graduated, should apply as First Year students.  

  • There are no minimum number of courses or units needed before a student is eligible to transfer.
  • Community college student may transfer no more than 70 semester units; four-year college students may transfer no more than 90 semester units.
  • Whittier College accepts the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). 

To find out which courses will transfer to Whittier, please refer to the articulation agreements below or contact the Office of Admission at transfer@whittier.edu for the most up-to-date information.

How to Apply

  1. Submit an application via the Common Application in addition to the following items:
  2. Letters of recommendation from one recent or current college professor
  3. Official high school transcripts must be submitted by all transfer applicants. If a high school diploma was not attained, please submit GED results.
  4. Official college transcripts must be submitted from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts do not have to reflect the current semester of enrollment.
  5. Standardized test scores, if available. It is recommended that applicants with less than 30 transferable units at the time of applying submit their SAT or ACT results. Whittier College will consider your highest section scores from across all test dates (also known as super scoring) from your SAT or ACT results. Students should provide all test score results by submitting an official score report through the testing agency (SAT I Code #4952, ACT Code #0480), or by Self-Reporting all scores using the Test Score Form in their application portal.* Enrolling students who applied using Self-Reported test scores will need to verify their scores by submitting an official score report from the testing agency before starting classes.
  6. Review Helpful Tips for Transfer Students

*Test scores self-reported in the Common Application will not be used for the admission review process.

You may submit any additional information you believe will help support your application for admission.

The Associate Degree for Transfer Commitment

Whittier College maintains the ADT Commitment with all accredited California Community Colleges based on the following criteria:

  • The student must submit an application for admission via the Common Application for transfers and complete all application requirements. An in depth application process is listed above.  
  • The student will have completed all IGETC coursework with a grade of C or better.  
  • The student will have completed at least 60 transferable units with a grade of C or better. 
  • The student acknowledges that if a grade of D or below is earned in a transferable course, and they did not retake the course for a higher grade, that course will not be accepted for transfer credit, but will still be factored into the cumulative transfer grade point average. 
  • We will honor academic renewal from community college partners prior to matriculation into Whittier College.   
  • Proof of completion of the Associates Degree is required as are official IGETC transcripts and official college transcripts. 

Application Deadlines

November 1: Priority decision application due date for Spring
December 17: Regular decision application due date for Spring
March 2: Filing date for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant Program (California applicants).
March 13: Priority decision application due for Fall
April 15: Regular decision application due for Fall

Students are encouraged to apply early to ensure consideration for the fullest range of scholarship opportunities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are completed, including all supporting documents.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

There is no separate application process to be considered for merit-based academic scholarships.

Talent Scholarships

  • Must be an admitted student to apply for talent-based scholarships in Art, Music, and Theatre.
  • Scholarship recipients do not have to major or minor in the subject, only maintain involvement with the department throughout their time at Whittier.
  • Scholarships are valued from $1,000 to $12,000 and are based on a separate application process.
  • Learn more about Talent Scholarships

Need-based Aid

All need-based aid is determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

Whittier College maintains agreements with the institutions below. Contact the Office of Admission if your institution is not listed.

  • Cerritos College
  • Citrus College
  • East Los Angeles College
  • El Camino College
  • Foothill College
  • Fullerton College
  • Golden West College
  • Long Beach City College
  • Mt. San Antonio College
  • Pasadena City College
  • Orange Coast College
  • Rio Hondo College
  • Saddleback College
  • Santa Ana College
  • Santa Barbara City College
  • Santa  Monica College
  • Santiago Canyon College.

Contact

Erasmo Fuentes
Director of Admission
transfer@whittier.edu

Clery Act

We value the safety of all members of the Whittier community. The Whittier College Annual Security and Fire Safety Report can be viewed online here. This report provides crime statistics for the prior three years, policy statements regarding various safety and security measures, campus crime prevention program descriptions, and procedures to be followed in the investigation and adjudication of reportable crimes. A paper copy of the document is available at the Department of Campus Safety or by calling 562.907.4211