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Transferring to Biola? It’s simple — our team will partner with you every step of the way.
Transfer Students Admissions Process
Visit Biola and earn a $500 scholarship!
Why Transfer to Biola?
Biola University is a place where you can develop spiritually while growing intellectually. As you pursue your bachelor’s degree, you can expect a high level of academic rigor paired with a warm, welcoming community of fellow believers. Begin the transfer process today!
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2023. Apply today to receive our largest academic scholarships ever — up to $22,000 per year.
- Contact Your Counselor
- Understand Transfer Pathways
- Schedule an Appointment with a Counselor
- Schedule a Virtual or In-Person Visit to Campus
- Join us for Transfer Events
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Transfer Pathways
If you’re in the process of mapping out your transfer journey, you can either contact our transfer admissions team, schedule an appointment or check your coursework on your own. Make sure to review the following key transfer policy and transfer pathway details:
Minimum Number of Courses Required
Students transferring to Biola University are not required to complete a specific set of college courses, and also do not need to meet a minimum amount of college credits completed prior to applying. We do, however, recommend that you follow our core curriculum as a guide to get started.
Transfer Pathway Programs
Biola University participates in the following transfer pathway programs:
If You Know Your Major
Review the list of programs we offer to find the major that is congruent with your current discipline. The “Course Sequence” page in each catalog program page will help you understand all program requirements (e.g. B.S. in Business Administration “Course Sequence”). To check how courses transfer from your current institution, please check our transfer course equivalency tool (TES).
If You’re Still Deciding on a Major
If you haven’t chosen a major yet, we can help. Take a look at the various academic programs Biola offers, review our core curriculum requirements and see which of your completed courses transfer into Biola using our transfer course equivalency tool (TES). If you have questions about a specific course or just want help with choosing your major please contact your counselor.
Bible and Theology Core Courses
As part of Biola’s academic core curriculum, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of Bible and theology courses — qualifying most for a minor in biblical and theological studies. Certain transfer students are eligible for a reduced requirement of 18 credits — helping them to graduate on schedule while still receiving a robust biblical and theological foundation. This option is offered to new students who transfer to Biola with 45 or more transferrable credits earned after high school and before matriculation.
Learn more about the Bible and theology core requirements.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to Biola as a transfer student, you must:
- Be a believer in the Christian faith (the applicant's statement of faith will be articulated in the personal essay section of the application).
- Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA.
- The Pre-Clinical Nursing Program has a separate GPA requirement. Please refer to the admission requirements for the Pre-Clinical Nursing Program.
- Have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent degree (GED).
- Have 15 credits (22.5 quarter credits) or more post-high school. If you have fewer than 15 semester credits (22.5 quarter credits) post-high school, then you must apply as a freshman-transfer student and meet the admission requirements for First-Time College Students, which includes submitting your high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
Steps to Apply
Complete and submit your FREE undergraduate application for admission
This year, we’re making it easier for you to apply and waiving your application fee. Enter the code BUWANTSYOU to apply for free!
Complete three short response questions
Once you’ve submitted the initial portion of your application, complete these three brief questions within the “Supplemental Items” tab of the application.
Prompts:
- Describe how and when you made a decision to follow Christ. (300–400 words)
- Using personal examples, share about your spiritual growth over the past 3 years. (300–400 words)
- Please share why you're interested in attending Biola University. (100-200 words)
Check to see if your program has additional requirements
The following programs require an additional application process. Review admission requirements for:
Submit your transcript
Submit a transcript from each high school and college attended, current through the time of application, in the “Supplemental Items & Documents” tab within the application.
An unofficial transcript is acceptable for your application submission, and can be uploaded as a .jpg, .png or .pdf file. Transcripts can also be emailed to admissions.transcripts@biola.edu.
Note that an official transcript is required once you have been admitted. Official transcripts may be submitted by one of the following ways:
- Sent directly from the institution to Biola using a digital service, such as Parchment.
- Sent directly via email from the institution to admissions.transcripts@biola.edu.
- Physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final official transcripts must be submitted upon completion of course of study and must include graduation date.
Note: Homeschool students and international students have special instructions for high school transcripts.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, we are accepting “Pass/Fail” coursework completed in Fall 2022 for applicants. In lieu of a letter grade, we are accepting "Pass/Fail” high school and college credit for incoming applicants, assuming the course is otherwise transferrable.
OPTIONAL: Submit your scores from the SAT (Code 4017) or ACT (Code 0172)
Biola is a Test-Optional University
We do not require freshman applicants to submit SAT/ACT scores. The Admissions Office will continue to make admissions offers and award academic scholarships based on students' academic achievement, spiritual commitment and their ability to succeed at Biola.
If you've taken these tests, you may submit your scores to strengthen your overall academic qualifications and reduce the need for placement exams later in the enrollment process. We do not penalize students who do not submit tests scores. Learn more about Biola's test-optional process.
Note: International students are still required to submit one test score for proof of English proficiency (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or IB English).
Application Deadlines
To qualify for an application deadline, all materials must be received in the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline date. If a student qualifies for a specific application deadline, they will be notified of admission by the corresponding notification date.
| Deadline Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall Early Action 1 | November 30 (notified by January 15) |
| Fall Early Action 2 | January 15 (notified by February 15) |
| Spring Regular Deadline | November 30 |
| Fall Regular Deadline | March 1 |
| Rolling Admissions | We are still accepting applications for Fall 2023 |
Important Notes:
- If a student submits their application by an Early Action deadline, they will learn about admittance earlier than the standard application and notification dates. Early Action is non-binding. Students have until May 1 to notify Biola of their intent to attend.
- Some programs have different application and notification deadlines and may require separate application. For more information please visit application steps for Cinema and Media Arts, Torrey Honors College, Conservatory of Music and the Pre-Clinical Nursing Program.
Financial Aid
Biola offers institutional, federal and state financial aid to transfer students. Explore our available scholarships to see what you qualify for, use our net price calculator to estimate your financial need and explore grant and loan opportunities.
Transfer Resources
You’ll be supported every step of the way in your journey to transfer to Biola University. Take a look at the various organizations, resources and opportunities available to you as a Biola student:
Transfer Success
From evaluating transfer credits to mapping out clear steps to graduation, we’re committed to making the process transfer-friendly. In fact, transfers have a strong record of succeeding at Biola and beyond.
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25%
Rate of Biolans who are transfers from community colleges and four-year institutions
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2.5
Average number of years it takes transfer students to complete major coursework
Important Transfer Policies
Familiarize yourself with Biola's official transfer policies. Students transferring to Biola University are not required to complete a specific set of college courses, and also do not need to meet a minimum amount of college credits completed prior to applying. We do, however, recommend that you follow our core curriculum as a guide to get started.
Already Accepted?
There are a few things to do after you’re admitted. Just take them one at a time.
Meet Your Counselor
There’s an experienced admissions counselor here, ready to help you make your move to Biola quick and easy. Questions? They have answers. Find and contact your counselor today.