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One in three college students graduates from a different institution from the one in which they began their education. Transfer students may choose to switch schools in order to get a head start at a community college, save money, improve on their high school GPA or simply to find a better fit. In any case, the burning question at application time is this: Is it easier or more difficult to gain admission as a transfer student?

Transfer students vs. freshmen: Who has the advantage?

The answer: It depends on the college and the student.

College. Some colleges are more welcoming of transfer students than others. A comparison of the acceptance rate for entering freshman and transfer students can give you a sense of who has the edge in the admissions process. Of the U.S. News & World Report’s top 50 schools, 60 percent admitted a higher percentage of freshmen and 20 schools admitted more transfer students in 2010. Vanderbilt, UC Davis and UC San Diego all admitted 20 percent more of their transfer applicants than their freshmen applicants. Case Western Reserve, by contrast, admitted 67 percent of freshmen and only 30 percent of transfer applicants.

Clare Kaufman, Schools.com

Even in this elite set of schools, public schools were more likely to “favor” transfer students in admissions than private schools. Public universities made up 40 percent of the transfer-friendly institutions but just over a quarter of the schools with stronger admissions for freshman applicants. The broader public service mandate of a public institution may account for this result. For more comparisons of transfer admissions rates, see The Transfer Book, which compiles data from The College Board and U.S. News & World Report.

Student. Some students may fare better in the admissions process as transfer students. If you feel that your high school GPA, course load and/or test scores don’t reflect your true ability to succeed in college, you could benefit by proving your mettle at a community college first. While college admissions committees will still take into account your high school record, you can add some more data points to your portfolio. Some institutions such as Cornell University and the University of California system offer guaranteed admission to transfer students who achieve a certain GPA and take certain courses at approved community colleges.

Transfer students generally have the same admissions prospects as an entering freshman. You can use some elements of the transfer experience to your advantage, however. As a transfer student, you may have more life experience and a more mature perspective than your high school graduate peers, for example. Use this focus to articulate how your target school fits into your life game plan.

Increasing your transfer admission odds

If you’ve decided to pledge your loyalty to a new alma mater, follow these steps to increase your odds of acceptance.

Choose a transfer-friendly school. Harvard University accepted 15 transfer students in 2011, or 1 percent of applicants. Some University of California campuses (such as UC Davis, 66 percent accepted in 2010) accept over half of all transfer applicants. Improve your admissions odds by applying to universities that welcome transfer students. You’ll also find that these schools have more extensive resources for transfer students, helping you to navigate the transition. Transfer counseling, clear credit transfer policies and on-campus housing are some of the welcoming features you’ll find at a transfer-friendly school. Learn more about the colleges and universities you’re considering, including programs and campus locations.

Nail the application essay. Why do you want to transfer? Prepare to offer specifics to explain why your next college will be the right one for you. College admissions staff advise students to identify the academic programs or other features of the college that appeal to them. It’s important to research each college to which you apply so that you can make a strong argument for why this one is the perfect fit. The best essay backs up these claims with evidence from elsewhere in your record. For example, if you want to take advantage of a school’s aviation engineering program, point to efforts you’ve already made to develop your interest in aviation.

Other tips: Don’t criticize your previous institution. And come clean about any blemishes on your record–If you can demonstrate your commitment to improving your performance, all the better.

Transfer sooner, not later. Some colleges frown on students who transfer toward the end of the program in order to “trade up” the school brand name on their diploma. For example, the University of Pennsylvania admits sophomore and junior-level applicants, but not seniors. The university requires that students complete at least two years of coursework in order to earn a University of Pennsylvania degree.

Transfer students don’t face a clear advantage or disadvantage in the admissions process. Ultimately, it’s important to find a good fit between your ambitions and the resources a particular school provides.

You might also be interested in:

1. To transfer or not to transfer, is that the question?
2. 5 ways to make the community college transfer easier
3. Should I stay or should I go? Thoughts from a (happy) transfer student
4. Tips on transferring like a pro
5. From small town life to campus life: Finding yourself in college