Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a transfer student?

A: A transfer student is an applicant who wishes to attend Salisbury after successful completion of at least 24 transferrable college-level credit hours at another institution. Your cumulative GPA must be a 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and have left your previous institution in good academic standing and with a clear disciplinary record.

Q: What is the maximum number of credits I can transfer with into Salisbury?

A: We accept a maximum of 64 credits from a community college and up to 90 credits from an accredited university. The last 30 credits of a student’s academic career must be completed at Salisbury in order to graduate from SU.

Q: What is the minimum GPA required of transfer applicants?

A: Transfer applicants must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For students who have attended more than one institution, a cumulative average from all previous college work attempted at regionally accredited community colleges and 4-year institutions will be computed.

Q: What if I have completed less than 24 credit hours? Can I still transfer to SU?

A: Transfer students who have earned fewer than 24 transferable semester hours at other institutions must also meet the University's admissions policy for entering freshman listed above. An offer of admission may be made once the student completes 12 semester hours of transferable college coursework contingent upon the completion of 24 transferable credits prior to transferring. An essay is not required of a transfer student for admission. Students applying with less than 24 credits must submit a high school record and SAT I or ACT results along with college transcripts.

Q: What do I need to submit to apply?

A: Transfer students must submit their Salisbury application (which you may complete online) and complete transcripts. Transcripts for all previous colleges attended (two year and four year institutions) are required whether or not credit was earned or desired.

Q: I’ve heard that Salisbury offers quick decisions for transfer students on selected Fridays. What is that about?

A: Fast Fridays are an alternate application method for transfer students. You must apply on-line prior to your visit and arrive at the Admissions Office on your scheduled Friday by 1:30 pm with official copies of all college-level transcripts. Plan to stay for a campus tour at 2:00, and we'll have your admission decision by the time you return. We do have limited spaces for each Friday available, so make your appointment early by contacting the Admissions Office. When you call 410-543-6161 to request the appointment, indicate the date you prefer to visit and your intended major. Attendance at a Fast Friday is not required for consideration for transfer admission to SU.

Q: If I decide not to transfer to Salisbury the semester I was admitted, can I transfer next semester instead?

A: No, we ask that you reapply so that we can evaluate any changes to your transcript and grade point average.

Q: What is the deadline for transfer applications?

A: The suggested filing deadline for fall admission is March 1st, and the suggested deadline for spring admission is October 1st. Applications received after the suggested filing dates are considered on a space-available basis.

Q: As a transfer student, how will I register for classes before my first semester at Salisbury? Is there an orientation process?

A: All transfer students are invited to an orientation before classes begin that includes information on how to use our online academic student service system, GullNet, and time to meet with advisors and register for your classes.

Q: Does the major I put on my application have any influence on my admissions decision?

A: Students apply as an undergraduate to the University as a whole, not to a specific major, so major selection is not typically a factor in the admissions process.

Q: What should I do if I don’t know what I want to major in?

A: Don’t panic! Many applicants do not know yet what major they would like to select. Fortunately, Salisbury offers many resources to help you make this choice. Career Services, your academic advisors, and the academic program departments can all offer guidance. Additionally, many general education requirements for the university are the same for all majors – just be sure to check the specific requirements of any majors you may have in mind to ensure your classes will count towards your degree requirements.

Q: What are your most popular majors?

A: Our top five most popular majors are business administration, biology, communications arts, nursing, and elementary education.

Q: Can I change my major after I’ve already selected one?

A: You can, but keep in mind that different majors have different requirements. Classes taken under one major may not satisfy the needs of another major. If you are trying to choose between two different programs, consult the academic checklists of both majors and attempt to take only those classes that will count towards both requirements. Contact your academic advisor or program coordinator for more specific information.

Q: Is a minor required?

A: Some departments require a minor for students in certain majors. Please check the appropriate checklist or with the specific department for more details.

Q: Can I double major at Salisbury?

A: Yes. Students hoping to receive two degrees from Salisbury should note the graduation requirement of 150 semester hours (instead of 120) for double-degree students. Please be sure to factor the added course load into your long-range planning. More information on this topic can be found by contacting the Registrar’s Office.

Q: When do I need to pick a major?

A: As a general rule of thumb, you should decide upon a major in your sophomore year. The earlier you are in your program track, however, the more accurately you will be able to plan your intended course work for the remainder of your college years.

Q: What kind of meal plans are available at Salisbury?

A: Meal Plans are available to all registered SU students. A meal plan provides you with many dining choices around campus whether you want an all-you-care-to-eat meal in the Commons Dining Hall or just want to grab a quick bite at one of our other locations around campus. For more information on the meal plans we offer, please visit the website of SU Dining Services.

Q: Does your campus offer wireless internet access?

A: All academic, administrative, and residential facilities on the main campus of Salisbury University offer wireless internet access.

Q: What is Salisbury and the surrounding area like? Are you close to big cities?

A: Salisbury University is located in a small city. The city of Salisbury is the largest Maryland city on the Eastern Shore. It offers over 300 retail stores and more than 100 restaurants, as well as cultural events, entertainment, and one of the few free public zoos in the United States. Salisbury has easy access to both outdoor activities (only 30 minutes to the Atlantic Ocean) and several major East Coast cities (Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.).