Hampshire College New England Transfer Agreement

Who Qualifies for the New England Transfer Agreement?

In order to be considered, students must apply to Hampshire using the Common Application and have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of graduation. The College will guarantee the transfer of credits earned toward the student's associate degree. Individuals who enter Hampshire with an associate degree will typically graduate in two years.

Hampshire College is recognized by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, as a Transfer Honor Roll institution. PTK defines these four-year institutions as having strong success rates of transfer students, a campus friendliness and sense of belonging, availability of need- and merit-based financial aid, acceptance of transfer credits toward a four-year degree program, and a dedicated recruitment experience and campus life for transfers.

Terms of Agreement:

Admission Requirements

1. Apply using the Common Application.

2. Have a 3.0 grade point average at time of application or after graduation.

3. Have received their associate degree or be on track to graduate with an associate degree prior to enrollment.

4. Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Credit Transfer

• All credits will be guaranteed based on credits applied for associate degree attainment.
• Curriculum requirements will be considered satisfied if the student has completed an associate degree.
• Course equivalencies will be determined by Hampshire’s Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA).

Academic Pathways

Transfer students pursue a Bachelor of Arts in a self-designed area specified by student at completion of Division III.

Massachusetts Guarantee

This agreement does not impact or alter the Massachusetts Guarantee.

Student Advising:

Hampshire does not have a traditional student grade level system (i.e. first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior). Instead, students advance through a divisional system by demonstrating proficiency in their coursework and synthesis across selected academic areas. The divisional system has three levels: Division I (a year), Division II (about two years), and Division III (a year). Individuals entering Hampshire via this agreement will start in Division II and typically graduate in two years.

All transfer students receive pre-transfer advising services in preparation of the Division II and to begin planning for Division III.

Learn more about Hampshire's unique curriculum here.

Terms and Renewal:

This program is initiated and executed solely by Hampshire College as a service to students. The agreement will be reviewed annually to determine if it is meeting the outlined purpose of improving access to Hampshire for students from community colleges in New England. Hampshire is the sole determiner of whether or not to continue the program.

Financial Considerations:

Hampshire offers generous need- and merit-based financial assistance. Unlike many colleges, Hampshire does not differentiate between transfer and first-year students in awarding financial aid. This results in stronger, more competitive, transfer aid awards than most of the college's peers.

Hampshire College is a member institution of Phi Theta Kappa and maintains a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship of $35,000 for Phi Theta Kappa students who enroll at the college. Individuals applying under this agreement and who are Phi Theta Kappa members will be awarded the scholarship.

Application & Financial Aid Deadlines

Learn more about transfer application requirements here.