University of Wisconsin–Madison
National Transfer Student Week Oct. 20-24 2025

National Transfer Student Week

National Transfer Student Week (NTSW) is a nationwide initiative organized by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS). Each year, during the third week in October, NTSW aims to

  • Celebrate the transfer student experience and the professionals who support them.
  • Enhance institutional support for transfer students.

Join us in recognizing and celebrating the contributions and successes of our transfer students & their champions at UW–Madison.

A yellow arrow pointing right reads "National" below a green arrow pointing left reads "Transfer." A blue arrow pointing right reads "Student" and below that an orange arrow pointing left reads "Week."

Submit transfer Acts of Kindness

Kindness is contagious – which is why we ask that you share an act of kindness during National Transfer Student Week.

Recognize transfer students or anyone who goes above and beyond to support them–AKA, transfer champions!

Submission is simple.

  1. First, think of someone awesome.
  2. Second, fill out a suuuuper simple survey.
  3. Third, that’s it. We’ll take it from there.

P.S. Know someone awesome, but not sure what to say? We get it. Reflection can be hard when midterms never end. But don’t worry, we’ll pass along some kindness on your behalf. If you want, we’ll even let you take credit, just include your name.

Ways to Get Involved

Transfer Students

Faculty & Staff

Student Allies

Highlight Transfer Students & Champions

Campaign Toolkits 

Included: 

  • Instagram static posts with suggested captions
  • Instagram story carousels
  • Website, Facebook, and newsletter banners
  • Zoom backgrounds
  • Event fliers

Use #UWTransfer to engage with us online

Blog & Newsletter Examples

Learn about UW-Transfer Experiences

Compared to “traditional” first-year students, UW–Madison’s transfer student population consists of more:

  • Low or limited-income college students
  • First-generation college students
  • Returning adult and non-traditional students
  • International students
  • Student-veterans
  • Student-parents

Transfer students’ diverse range of experiences, knowledge, language, culture, critical thought, and ways of being enrich classroom learning and campus culture at UW–Madison.

Transfer Issues and Facts

Transfer Invisibility

Promote transfer student awareness to bring to light & clear the obstacles of transfer students and their multiple, marginalized identities

Transfer Stigma

Faculty and staff might assume that transfer students are less academically competitive than students who have not transferred. Challenge these assumptions in your own views and others’.

“Transfer Shock”

While well-meaning, the concept of “transfer shock” can also perpetuate the idea that transfer students are less academically inclined than first-year students (despite studies showing similar performance levels amongst the groups).

DYK: 15-20% (4,000-4,500) of UW–Madison students are transfers?

In other words, 1-in-5 of your fellow Badgers are UW Transfers!

Myth: It’s easier to get into UW–Madison as a transfer student.

In fact, admission rates for transfers and first-year are nearly identical, with it being slightly more difficult for UW Transfers (49% vs. 53%).

DYK: Graduation rates are nearly identical.

On average, 86% of UW Transfers and 89% of students admitted as first-year students graduate from UW–Madison.

NTSW Events

Viewing slide of 5
People looking and petting a dog that has its head up on a table

Transfer Breakfast

Monday, Oct. 20 8–11 a.m. Start National Transfer Student Week with breakfast in the Transfer Engagement Center.

Twilight at the TEC

Tuesday, Oct. 21 6:30–9:30 p.m. Join us for a movie night featuring Twilight and pumpkin painting.

NTSW Lunch

Wednesday, Oct. 22 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Take a break from midterms and be in community with fellow transfer students.

Baking Bad

Thursday, Oct. 23 6:30–9:30 p.m. It’s a cake decorating challenge… with a twist.

Schuster’s Haunted Forest

Friday, Oct. 24 Brave the haunted forest or enjoy a bonfire & cider. Transportation, ticket, & food included for $12.