UMass Amherst

Joining Commonwealth College as a Transfer Student

Upon acceptance to the University, transfer students are eligible for Commonwealth College membership if they meet the criteria in category 1 or 2 below. (Meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission to Commonwealth College.)

1. If you have completed two or more fulltime college terms and:

  • have completed at least four courses per term there that are viewed as academic courses by the University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • have completed each term at the previous school with a minimum GPA of 3.500

    •  

OR


2. If you have completed less than two fulltime college terms and:

  • have a combined SAT score of 1300 or higher
  • Ranked in the top 10% of your high school class
  • had a weighted high school GPA of "A-" or higher (calculated only on courses viewed as "academic" courses by the University of Massachusetts)


Transfer students who receive an invitation to join Commonwealth College should meet with a ComCol advisor during the New Students Orientation in July or January to review the specific requirements in effect at the time of their admission and to sign a contract confirming their membership. Students who are invited to join Commonwealth College but who are unable to attend the New Students Orientation will be notified of an alternate date for contract signing after the semester has begun.

Transfer students who do not meet the above criteria at the time of their University admission may seek membership in Commonwealth College during our annual online application process in June.  To qualify for the online application, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.400 or higher at UMass Amherst. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.800 or higher in their UMass Amherst coursework, and thoughtful responses to the application essay questions, will be given first priority for admission.

 

 

For details regarding Commonwealth College course offerings and requirements, please consult the Academics section of our website.

 A personal advising session in 504 Goodell

Advisors Can Help
transfer students learn more about Commonwealth College offerings as well as eligibility requirements.
They will also help you determine which of your previous honors courses will apply to Commonwealth College honors requirements.