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For the eighth consecutive year, Rollins is among the best schools in the nation for transfer students. The College joins only 251 colleges and universities in its recognition on the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes four-year institutions of higher education for creating dynamic pathways to support transfer students.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students at associate-degree-granting colleges and fostering their success as scholars and leaders. Less than 1 percent of all college students in the U.S. qualify for acceptance, with members undergoing a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.

The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion. Colleges were chosen for the Honor Roll based on their Transfer Friendliness Rating on PTK Connect, an online tool to help students find transfer opportunities, including scholarships and career pathways. Only the top 25 percent highest-rated colleges were named to the 2025 Transfer Honor Roll.

“These colleges are doing more than just opening doors—they’re walking students through them,” says Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Their commitment to creating clear, supportive pathways demonstrates what’s possible when student success is truly the priority.”

At Rollins, all transfer students are automatically considered for merit scholarships of up to $24,000 per year in addition to need-based aid. Once admitted, transfer students are enrolled in a first-year course designed specifically for them that includes peer mentors who have experienced transferring to Rollins and thus can provide guidance. Transfer students receive personalized attention from dedicated professors in small, discussion-based classes, and every student is assigned to an advisor, who provides individualized support.

When Ashley Withee ’26 was looking to transfer after earning an AA from Seminole State College, Rollins stood out, namely because of the small class sizes.

“Coming from the Honors Institute at Seminole State, I knew that I thrive in more intimate settings where I can receive individualized attention and build meaningful connections with professors,” says Withee, a psychology major. “Once I realized that is what I would get from Rollins and I might not get that from UCF with the large class sizes and those variables, I knew that Rollins is where I wanted to be.”

The transfer process was seamless. Rollins not only accepted the most credits from Seminole State but also awarded Withee multiple grants and a generous scholarship. Her transfer advisor mapped out her first semester of classes, making adjustments along the way to ensure she felt comfortable. The transfer seminar course proved invaluable, introducing her cohort to the academic expectations at Rollins while also equipping them with tools for success beyond the classroom—from résumé prep and career planning to networking and landing internships.

“I feel the value I’m getting from my Rollins experience far outweighs what I would’ve gotten at a larger school. The professors are always available to us, and they encourage us to take our passions further than just inside the classroom. At Rollins, the professors have high expectations, but they have even higher support levels for students. They ask for a lot, but they help even more.”

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