Transfer and Non-Traditional Applicants

Admissions

If you enrolled in college courses elsewhere, deferred your enrollment or took a gap year, we welcome you to apply to Salve Regina University as a transfer student. No matter where you're coming from or where you're headed next, we're excited that you're considering Salve.

Enrollment Categories

Each student's path to academic success is unique, so we've outlined several enrollment categories to help you find the one that best fits your situation. If you don't see yourself represented, contact our office. We're happy to help you determine the path that's right for you.

  • Transfer student: A student who completed college-level courses at a community college or accredited four-year institution. Transfer students may apply for fall or spring admission using Salve's transfer application or the Common App for transfer students. High school students who completed dual enrollment or summer classes before their first college semester are not considered transfer students. They should apply as first-year students using the undergraduate application timeline.
  • Reactivated student: A student who either applied, enrolled or withdrew from Salve in the past three years. Regardless of their initial admissions decision, students may reactivate their previous application using this form. Students who wish to reapply more than three years after their initial application should use Salve's transfer application or the Common App for transfer students.
  • Second degree student: A student who has a bachelor's degree but wants to earn another undergraduate degree in a different field. These students work with the registrar to determine which credits from their first degree will transfer. Second degree students should use Salve's transfer application or the Common App for transfer students. The application will ask students to indicate their previously earned degree, identifying them as a second degree student.

Please note: Salve welcomes transfer applicants for all majors except nursing, including those who wish to pursue a second degree. If you're pursuing licensure as a registered nurse, we hope you will consider our RN-BSN program.

Required Documents

The Office of Admissions requires specific documents to complete your application. We may ask for additional information or waive requirements as needed. You can track your application and remaining items on your student status page.

You must submit an official high school transcript regardless of your graduation year or previous acceptance. The transcript must include your name, final senior year grades and graduation date.

How to obtain this document:

  • Contact your high school's college counseling or guidance office and request that your official transcript be emailed to admissions@salve.edu.
  • If you prefer to mail a hard copy, ask your high school to send your transcript to 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840, addressed to Salve Regina Admissions Office.
  • If your high school has closed, contact your city or town administration for instructions on obtaining your transcript.

For your transcript to be considered official, it must be sent directly from the institution you attended. Transcripts uploaded by students are considered unofficial.

This document allows our office to evaluate your academic progress. We ask that you submit an official transcript from any college or university you attended. This includes schools where you started a class but later withdrew.

How to obtain this document:

  • Ask your previous institution(s) to email your official college transcript to admissions@salve.edu.
  • Many schools use Parchment to request official transcripts. We encourage you to request official transcripts through Parchment, if available.
  • Salve only accepts official transcripts sent directly from the school. Transcripts uploaded by students are considered unofficial.

If your final transcript is not yet available, you may temporarily submit an unofficial transcript. An unofficial transcript should include your name, school name, courses (current and completed) and grades to date. You can usually access this through your school's academic portal. A screenshot of your current courses and grades is acceptable until your final transcript is available.

The college officials' report is a form that must be completed and signed by a college official, usually from the dean of students or registrar's office. Also known as a college report, registrar's report or dean's report, it verifies your good academic, financial and disciplinary standing at any previous institution you attended.

How to obtain this document:

  • Salve has a version of the college officials' report.
  • Alternatively, you can ask your institution to send its own version of the report. We encourage you to contact the dean of students or registrar's office when making these requests.
  • Often, the Common App uses its own version of the college officials' report. You complete the top section, then ask a college official to fill and sign it, either digitally or in print.
  • After completion, upload the form to your student status page or have it emailed to admissions@salve.edu.

Salve requires a letter of recommendation from an academic or professional source, preferably within the past two years. Current college students should submit a letter from a current professor. Adult learners should provide a letter from someone familiar with their professional development, such as a supervisor, board member or volunteer partner.

How to obtain this document:

  • Enter your recommender's email address on the transfer application. After you submit, Salve will email your recommender with instructions to upload the letter.
  • Alternatively, your recommender can email their letter to admissions@salve.edu and we'll add the letter to your application.

The personal statement helps our admissions team learn about you and your story. Use it to explain why you want to transfer to Salve, summarize your educational journey and share what you hope to gain from your experience.

If you faced challenges during your college career or withdrew from your previous institution, you can address these circumstances in your personal statement. Share what you feel comfortable with. Please know that our admissions team takes a holistic approach and reads personal statements to understand how we can best support our students.

How to obtain this document:

  • Write your personal statement into the text block of your transfer application.
  • Upload your statement through the application landing page.
  • Upload your statement to your student status page.
  • Email your statement to admissions@salve.edu.

Required only for dance, music, studio art or theatre arts applicants.

After completing your application, upload your audition or portfolio to your student status page. Auditions are virtual and must follow certain guidelines. You'll be notified of your acceptance into any visual and performing arts program when you are admitted to Salve.

Transfer students majoring in dance, music, studio art or theatre arts are eligible for a Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship. Award recipients will be notified in their acceptance letter.

Application Timeline

Salve offers a flexible rolling deadline for applications and deposits. This lets you move at your own pace when completing your application and deciding whether to commit to Salve.

When to Apply

We offer admission for both the fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis.

  • Students wishing to enroll for the fall semester should aim to apply by Aug. 1.
  • Students wishing to enroll for the spring semester should aim to apply by Dec. 15.

Applications are considered up until the start of each term. Please keep in mind that processing of required documents may cause delays in providing a decision.

How long does the application process take?

The application process can take a few days to a few weeks. As a transfer student, you're responsible for gathering all required documents so we can make an informed decision. This requires contacting specific offices, waiting on signatures and processing time on both ends. Keep an eye on your student status page for updates.

Salve is closed for federal holidays and will not receive documentation during these closures. Please plan accordingly.

How can I tell if my application is complete? How do I know which documents are still required?

When you start a transfer application, all communication from our office is sent via email. You will receive an invitation with a pin and instructions on how to create an account for your student status page. This page includes an application checklist to track which documents have been received and those that are pending. You are also able to upload additional information and access the college officials' report.

How long does it take to receive a decision? Where can I find my decision?

Decisions are sent on a rolling basis. Keep in mind that there are times when processing may take a bit longer. We aim to make a decision within 2-4 weeks. For students applying closer to the start of a semester, efforts will be made to provide decisions as soon as possible.

You will receive an email notifying you of an update on your student status page. Decisions are also mailed to your home address.

When will I know about my transfer credits/class standing?

A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed for every admitted student and sent via email within two weeks of your acceptance. Only courses submitted on an official transcript with a grade of C or higher, from a regionally accredited institution, are eligible for transfer. We cannot award transfer credit from unofficial transcripts. Final determination of transfer credit is ultimately made by the registrar and department chairs. To learn more about course equivalencies before your acceptance to Salve, we encourage you to search our transfer credit database.

I want to enroll, what's next?

You're encouraged to submit your enrollment deposit as soon as possible or at least two weeks before the start of the semester. We ask this to ensure a smooth onboarding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

The application landing page – either Salve's transfer application or the Common App – is where you enter your information, start your application and submit it. The student status page lets you track your application, see decisions, scholarship and financial aid info, and onboarding details if accepted. Only the person whose email and password are associated with the student status page can track your application and view the decision.

While awaiting official grades, submit an official transcript for all completed college work. You may temporarily submit an unofficial transcript for your current work. We may accept you based on an unofficial transcript but will wait for official transcripts before making a final decision. If you enroll, you must submit your final transcript once grades are posted.

Your personal statement should be between one paragraph and two pages. Explain why you want to transfer to Salve and add any information that will help the admissions committee understand your application. It is especially helpful to include details not found elsewhere in your application.

Documents can be emailed to admissions@salve.edu. High school and college transcripts must be sent directly from the school to be considered official. All other documents, such as the college officials' report and unofficial transcript, can be uploaded to your student status page or emailed to admissions@salve.edu.

You can track your application through your student status page. Setup instructions are emailed to you shortly after you begin an application.

Transfer students are eligible for generous merit-based scholarships, which are detailed in their decision letters.

Applicants admitted from the Community College of Rhode Island through the Rhode Island Guarantee receive an annual scholarship of $28,500 if living on campus and $25,000 if living off campus.

Students who were previously admitted are eligible to receive the amount of scholarship money they were initially awarded.

Athletes applying to Salve must follow NCAA regulations. You should contact your athletic department to enter the transfer portal before reaching out to coaches at other schools. If you don't want to inform your coaching staff about a transfer while on the roster, you can obtain a self-release from your athletic director before contacting Salve coaches.

International students whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores.

The exact number of transferable credits is determined after a formal credit evaluation, completed two weeks after acceptance. Transfer credit is granted to matriculated students who submit official transcripts from accredited institutions. Only undergraduate courses with grades of C or higher qualify.

Salve has a three-year housing requirement. You have the option to live off campus after six semesters of your college experience (inclusive of your time attending school elsewhere), unless commuting from home. The recommended radius for commuter students is no greater than 30 miles in a residence with your parent(s)/guardian(s). For more information, contact Residence Life at (401) 341-2210 or residencelife@salve.edu.

Financial aid offers are typically mailed after you submit your FAFSA. They can be included on your student status page upon request. For additional information, email financial_aid@salve.edu.

If you aren't submitting the FAFSA, email financial_aid@salve.edu. The Office of Financial Aid typically waits to package your offer until after your FAFSA is received. If you aren’t submitting the FAFSA, notify the office so they can process your package and offer letter.