Transfer Students

We are so glad you are considering transferring to Dordt! We would love to welcome you to Defender Nation.

At Dordt University, faith is woven into our classes, campus life, and co-curricular activities. Here, you won't just be a number; you'll be known. Dordt faculty and staff invest in our students, encouraging them to succeed. That's why we've been ranked #1 in student engagement many years in a row by The Wall Street Journal and why our faculty have been ranked number one by the U.S. News and World Report's College Rankings for regional colleges (Midwest).

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Visit Campus

We believe it is very important for every student, whether a transfer student or incoming freshman, to attend either a virtual or in-person visit. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our vibrant campus life, meet with professors, and experience Defender Nation.

We also offer travel reimbursement—so make sure to check that out!

Schedule a Campus Visit
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Admissions Requirements

Students who have attended another accredited institution of collegiate rank may be considered for admission with advanced standing. College credits presented by transfer students will be evaluated in terms of the quality of the student's work and the relationship of the subject matter to Dordt's curriculum.

A minimum grade of C is required in each course to receive credit. A maximum of 61 semester hours of academic credit is granted to graduates of community colleges. After the application materials have been evaluated, students will receive notification of credits accepted, student classification, and academic status.

Transferring in as a junior, I knew no one here. Fortunately, everyone I encountered at Dordt was open and welcoming! I am not particularly extroverted, but I made friends pretty quickly. Everyone in this community made my transition go as smoothly as I could have hoped for.

Clarissa, Communication Major
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Frequently Asked Questions

Our application is free! Apply today at dordt.edu/apply.

Yes, you are eligible for academic, athletic, music, theatre, journalism, and honors program scholarships. Some scholarships such as academic ones, are awarded based on your GPA and ACT/SAT score. Others, such as music or theatre, need to be applied for. Learn more about the scholarships you can earn as a transfer student.

Yes, we offer a transfer student orientation in both the fall and spring semester. It typically takes place the day before classes start. For specific dates, check out the academic calendar.

Dordt is predominantly a residential campus with 90.2% of our undergraduates living on campus. We believe that students learn and grown in unique ways as they live together as part of a residential community of Christians. All full-time unmarried students who are not 22 years of age, are required to live in Dordt housing unless they live at home with a parent or guardian.

No, you do not. If you are undecided on your program of study, we have people here who can help you find the track best for you. With departments like our Career Development Center, who assist students in vocational and career development, and faculty who invest in helping you find the right program, we are here to help.


Yes, you can. It is called the Kuyper Honors Program. You will need to apply to it; to apply as a transfer, you need at least one semester of full-time college experience, and typically no more than four semesters. You must have a minimum college level GPA of 3.25. You also are required to submit two letters of recommendation from college faculty and an entrance essay.

If you want to dive into detail on what classes will be required for a specific major, check out our course catalog. You can see the requirements for both majors and minors. It also lists current study abroad opportunities, and other helpful information.

The Core Program is a set of requirements that all students must take to graduate, and lies at the heart of a Dordt education. It is based off of four coordinates: Religious Orientation, Creational Structure, Creational Development, and Contemporary Response. The program helps students understand what it means to have a Reformed worldview in every area of life.

Our aim is to weave experiences and classroom learning, curricular and co-curricular activities, core courses, and major courses into a seamless whole. Such an education, rooted in a commitment to Christ, can lead to a rich life of effective Christian discipleship.

We work with transfer students on a case-by-case basis. You will work with both your admissions counselor, the registrar, and the nursing department.

If you are interesting in transferring into the Dordt University nursing program, you can find Dordt's academic requirements in the academic catalog on page 11.

We work with transfer students on a case-by-case basis. As a transfer student you will work closely with your admissions counselor, nursing department, and registrar. All you'll need to do now is:

  • Apply online to Dordt.
  • Submit both high school and college transcripts to the registrar.

Once all your documents have been received, we are committed to reviewing your transcripts and developing a plan of study in a timely manner.

If you have preliminary transfer questions please contact our nursing program director, Deb Bomgaars, at Deb.Bomgaars@dordt.edu or (712) 722-6689.

Connect with Admissions

We'd love to help answer any questions you have about the transfer process.

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