For many students, transferring to a new university can be an uncertain process filled with questions about credits, costs and community. At Marquette, that experience is designed to be personal, seamless and rooted in the Jesuit value of cura personalis — care for the whole person.
“Cura personalis permeates everything we do,” says Catie Koruba, assistant director of transfer admissions. “Transfer students come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences with unique goals and passions. Our transfer team works with prospective students individually to help them outline and navigate a path to making Marquette a reality.”
That individualized approach was exactly what drew Jacob Millman, a senior studying real estate, finance and international business, to Marquette.
“I was motivated to transfer because of the strong sense of community and the ability to grow academically and personally,” Millman says. “I wanted a school where student success, personal development and career placement were prioritized.”
The commitment to transfer student success has earned Marquette national recognition. The university was recently named to the 2025 Transfer Honor Roll by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which annually recognizes the top 25% of highest-rated colleges and universities for transfer pathways and support. It marks the eighth consecutive year Marquette has earned the distinction.
“That personal connection and intentional guidance really set us apart,” Koruba says.
The transfer admissions team collaborates closely with the Office of the Registrar to ensure students’ previous coursework transfers smoothly.
“One common misconception is that credits won’t transfer, but our staff works very hard to maximize the credits students have already earned,” she adds.
Millman says that attention to detail made a big difference during his application process.
“The process was very straightforward and simple,” he says. “The admissions staff were extremely helpful and responsive whenever I had questions, which made the process much easier. Visiting campus gave me all the insight I needed to confidently make my decision.”
Marquette’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond campus. The university has partnerships with 15 regional colleges across Wisconsin and Illinois, including a new Guaranteed Admission Agreement with Waukesha County Technical College. These partnerships help simplify the process and remove uncertainty for students planning to continue their education at Marquette.
The university welcomed 127 new transfer students in fall 2025 and now has 422 transfer students enrolled for the 2025–26 academic year.
Once on campus, transfer students have access to the same academic and social resources as other students, including tutoring, academic coaching and career advising through the Lemonis Center for Student Success. Orientation programs, O-Fest and National Transfer Student Week help them connect and find community.
Millman says that his sense of belonging grew as he got involved.
“I was nervous about transferring and initially struggled to find people with similar interests,” he says. “Once I put myself out there through joining student organizations, talking to peers in class and attending campus events, I quickly found my community.”
Since transferring, Millman has taken advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. He studied abroad in Antwerp, Belgium; participated in a J-Term program at Marquette’s Les Aspin Center in Washington, D.C., where he studied regulatory economics; is a part of the Real Estate Asset Program; and attended a professional real estate conference in Denver.
“The biggest benefit of transferring to Marquette has been my personal growth,” Millman says. “Through the Jesuit curriculum, I’ve learned to approach challenges with a broader perspective.”
For Millman, that community has made all the difference. “My biggest advice for students considering transferring to Marquette is to get involved early,” he says. “The more you put into the experience, the more you’ll get out of it.”
