Information for Transfer Applicants
At Bucknell, we're looking for curious and clever students — even those whose college journey didn't begin here.
We invite students who are currently enrolled at two- or four-year institutions to apply to join our community of engineers and explorers, artists and altruists, leaders and innovators.
When you apply to Bucknell as a transfer student, we examine your application personally, considering both your experience in high school and in college. We holistically look at grades, curriculum, recommendations and beyond-the-classroom experience to gain a full understanding of everything that makes you unique.
Application Dates & Deadlines
| Semester enrolling | Application available | Application deadline | Decisions available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Mid-August | March 15 | Mid-May |
| Spring | Mid-August | Nov. 1 | Mid-Dec. |
How to Apply
1. Start with either the Common Application or Coalition Application.
| Common Application for Transfer Students | Coalition Application (powered by Scoir) for Transfer Students |
|---|---|
| commonapp.org | coalitionforcollegeaccess.org |
|
|
2. Submit your personal essays electronically through the application website you choose.
3. Pay the nonrefundable $50 application fee electronically when you apply — or request a fee waiver through the application website.
Note: If you have previously applied to Bucknell or if the fee presents a hardship, this fee may be waived. Submit your request to transfer@bucknell.edu.
4. The following application materials must be emailed to transfer@bucknell.edu by the application deadline:
- Course Descriptions: Send a brief descriptions of all college courses taken, or a syllabus if a course description is not available.
- Official transcript of each institution attended. This must be forwarded by university officials.
- Official secondary school transcript (high school record). This must be forwarded by school officials.
- SAT/ACT scores (optional): For students who choose to submit test scores, Bucknell will accept self-reported test scores. Applicants may self-report SAT/ACT scores on their Common or Coalition Application (powered by Scoir) for admissions consideration. If an applicant is offered admission and enrolls, an official copy of the SAT/ACT scores will be required. Note: Students required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE or DET scores must have official score reports sent to the Transfer Admissions Office.
If English is not your first language or if it was not the primary language of instruction for at least three years of your secondary school education:
- TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson English Test (PTE) or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores
- Minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based exam and 600 on the paper-based exam; minimum IELTS score of 7; minimum PTE score of 68; minimum DET score of 130. Entrance exam results should be submitted by our application deadlines.
If you're applying for financial aid:
- CSS Profile
- FAFSA
- International students, please refer to the "Requirements for International Transfer Students" found below
Note: Merit scholarships are only available for incoming first-year students
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Requirements for International Transfer Students
TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / DET Test Scores
Applicants for whom English is not the first language or whose primary language of instruction for at least three years of secondary school was not English are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson English Test (PTE) or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores.
This requirement can be waived by permission; please ask your school counselor or school official to send a written waiver request to transfer@bucknell.edu for consideration.
Minimum Scores
TOEFL: 100 on the internet-based exam and 600 on the paper-based exam
IELTS: 7
PTE: 68
DET: 130
Entrance exam results should be submitted by our application deadlines.
Please note that it takes two to four weeks for Bucknell to receive official test scores from the testing agency.
Submitting IELTS Scores Electronically
Below is the exact information applicants should provide to their test centers when requesting scores to be sent to Bucknell University:
Account name: Bucknell University Undergraduate Admissions
Address: One Dent Drive
City: Lewisburg
State: PA
ZIP code: 17837
Finance Requirements
Applicants requiring a student visa to study in the U.S. are required to submit proof of financial support. All finance documents must be received for an application to be reviewed.
All finance documents for non-U.S. citizens should be submitted to the Office of Admissions by Nov. 1 for spring and March 15 for fall consideration.
Note: Because of Bucknell's exceptional retention rate, financial aid is extremely limited for international transfer students.
Bank Statement
All international applicants must submit a certified bank statement (see a sample) along with either the Financial Certification Document or the ISAFA.
Financial Certification Document
If you are not applying for financial aid, you must submit the Financial Certification Document along with certified original bank statements (showing U.S. dollar amount).
Please understand that, due to limited funding, students who do not receive financial aid during their first year will not be offered aid in subsequent years.
International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA)
International students who apply for financial aid must submit the ISAFA along with documentation to verify parental income information, including a certified original bank statement (showing U.S. dollar amount).