McDaniel earns national recognition as transfer-friendly

In honor of National Transfer Student Week, McDaniel announces its selection to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2026 Transfer Honor Roll as one of only 275 colleges and universities recognized for demonstrating exceptional success in creating pathways for community college transfer students to earn bachelor’s degrees.

students walk on campus in the Fall — Students who apply to transfer to McDaniel are automatically considered for guaranteed McDaniel Merit Scholarships ranging from $27,000 to $18,000, or Legacy Scholarships.

McDaniel College is one of only 275 colleges and universities selected for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing institutions that have demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn bachelor’s degrees.

This marks the third consecutive year that McDaniel has received the distinction from Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for two-year colleges.

The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the nation’s most comprehensive recognitions of transfer excellence. Institutions are evaluated using data from the National Student Clearinghouse along with data collected through PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online platform that connects the nation’s top community college students with transfer opportunities.

Phi Theta Kappa serves as the nation’s largest honor society in higher education. The organization has more than 4.5 million members and nearly 1,200 chapters in 11 countries, including approximately 220,000 active members.

“This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK’s president and CEO. “Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”

McDaniel College has adopted a block transfer policy, allowing students with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), an Associate of Science (A.S.), or an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) from an accredited U.S. institution who meet all McDaniel Plan requirements to move directly into courses that fulfill major program requirements.

Additionally, Carroll Community College students are eligible to transfer to McDaniel through a Transfer Plus admissions agreement. This agreement provides Carroll students with a clear pathway to a bachelor’s degree at McDaniel after completing an associate degree at Carroll along with a guaranteed minimum scholarship of $25,000 annually if admitted to McDaniel.

All students who apply to transfer to McDaniel are automatically considered for guaranteed McDaniel Merit Scholarships ranging from $27,000 to $18,000, or Legacy Scholarships. Members of Phi Theta Kappa, who provide a copy of their PTK certificate at the point of application, are also eligible for an additional $4,000 per year on top of the merit scholarship awarded.

Learn more about McDaniel's transfer student admissions process

“These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”

National Transfer Student Week Events

Hosted by McDaniel College's Office of Student Success

McDaniel's Office of Student Success is celebrating National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 19–23, with a full week of events for current transfer students, including:

Transfer & Toast
Monday, Oct. 19, 6–7:30 p.m.
Transfer Headshots
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2–4 p.m.
Bank on Your Success
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.–noon
Transfer Coffee & Connections
Thursday, Oct. 22, noon–1 p.m.
Sweet on Transfers
Friday, Oct. 23, 2–3 p.m.