What are transfer students, adult learners, and readmitted students?
Transfer students are those who have attended at least one semester at another college or university and are transferring credits to VCU. Be sure to check out the Transfer Center as an additional resource.
Adult learners are undergraduate students who are 25 years old or older when they start their education at VCU. Be sure to check out the Office of Adult and Non-Traditional Student Services as an additional resource.
Readmitted students are those who have reapplied for admission after at least three consecutive semesters away from VCU. For students who have been readmitted to VCU after at least two years away, it is recommended that you attend a transfer Orientation session.
“The pacing of each session during Orientation was the most beneficial. It allowed me to get a lot of useful information without having to sit through long presentations. It made it easier to access information that pertained to me.”
“The staff [were] incredibly helpful, supportive and excited themselves at the VCU experience.“
“Overall, the Orientation helped me feel more secure about my transfer!”
Transfer Orientation
Orientation for transfer students and adult learners offers a streamlined program tailored to the needs of transfer students. This program aims to help you make a successful transition to VCU and to learn how to navigate resources and departments at VCU. Whether you are transferring from a two-year school or another four-year school, from in-state or out-of-state, returning from some time away or starting college for the first time, we are excited to welcome you to the Ramily.
Orientation information:
Orientations are available based on the VCU college or school that your major falls within. At Orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet with staff and faculty from your college or school and will be grouped with other students by your college/school. Transfer and adult learner Orientations are available as in-person or virtual sessions at varying times to best meet your needs.
To check which college or school you major falls in, you can search for your program under VCU Academics. Please note, your major is the one that you were accepted into by VCU and is listed in the VCU Application Portal.
If you determine that you would like to request a change of major, you should do so before Orientation to ensure you attend the most appropriate session. You can email admproc@vcu.edu to request a change. Some majors may have different requirements for acceptance. If changing your major results in a change of your college/school, you may need to select a new Orientation session and will receive an email notification, if so.
Summer 2024 Orientation dates:
You can select an Orientation session based on your VCU college or school. You will be able to see the specific dates available for you when you log into your Orientation account. Most sessions occur during the week during normal business hours.
In-person sessions
- June 13: 12-5 p.m.
- July 24: 12-5 p.m.
- August 15: 12-5 p.m.
Virtual sessions
- June 16: 2-5:30 p.m.
- July 10: 4-7:30 p.m.
- August 13: 2:00-5:30 p.m.
For students enrolling in one of the fully online programs (listed below), you will complete both the Ram Ready modules and a required online course in Canvas. We will also offer several live virtual sessions over zoom to help you get connected with your online peers and meet with VCU staff. More details about the online Canvas course and available dates for the zoom sessions will be available soon. Learn more about VCU Online programs.
Fully online majors include:
- Health Services
- Mass Communications Foundations
- Business Foundations (Accounting and Marketing),
- Social Work
What to expect at Orientation
Below is an overview of each component of the Orientation experience. You will receive more detailed information in your email once you have completed Orientation registration. It is important to check your email regularly and read over emails carefully.
In order to attend Orientation, you must first register and select a date. Students can register for Orientation once they have accepted their offer of admission and paid the New Student Deposit. Before you register for Orientation, review the transfer student checklist and be sure you have completed items in Step 1. You will use your VCU login information to set up your Orientation account. Visit the Orientation Registration page for step-by-step instructions.
Orientation registration opens on the following dates:
- Students accepted for the Fall: Apr. 1, 2024
- Students accepted for the Spring: Nov. 1, 2024
The first step to begin the course registration process is to review the Transfer Advising & Registration Guide. You can begin this process prior to attending Orientation.
This guide will help you determine if you need to take any placement tests, will help you complete the first-year advising and registration survey, and will help you register for classes. It will also help you schedule a meeting with your academic advisor via Navigate to finalize your course schedule.
Students accepted for Fall:
- Course registration and advising scheduling opens: May 1, 2024
- Advising appointments available beginning: May 15, 2024
Students accepted for Spring:
- Course registration and advising scheduling opens: Nov. 15, 2024*
- Advising appointments available beginning: Dec. 1, 2024*
*Note: Dates are subject to change.
Before attending your Orientation session, you will need to complete the Ram Ready Orientation Modules. These modules cover important academic information, financial planning, campus resources and how to prepare for your Orientation session. You should plan to spend one hour completing these modules.
- Ram Ready opens for students accepted for Fall: June 7, 2024
- Ram Ready opens for students accepted for Spring: Dec. 2, 2024*
*Note: Dates are subject to change.
Transfer students can select either an in-person or virtual Orientation program. The in-person option will take place on campus and is typically a half-day program that will run for around 5 hours. The virtual option will take place over Zoom and typically runs for around 3.5 hours.
Both programs offer the opportunity to hear from campus partners, connect with representatives from your academic college/school, meet in small groups with other new students and ask any questions you have.
You may invite a family member or supporter to attend Orientation with you. This helps equip families with knowledge of campus resources so they can best support you.
Students and their guests will be together for portions of the program and there will be separate sessions as well. For more details, visit the families and supporters page.
VCU Orientation works closely with Military Student Services to offer tailored content for veterans and current service members during Orientation and in the Ram Ready Orientation Modules. This content is designed to give you more information about how to utilize your military benefits and will help you learn how to connect to other service members and their families.
All military-affiliated students are required to participate in a Military Benefits Briefing prior to Orientation. This includes student veterans, active duty or reservists or any students who may be receiving military benefits (dependents or other) to pay for college.
We also have a designated session on July 24 from 12-5 p.m. that is recommended for veterans, active duty, and reservists. Military Student Services will offer additional programming during this session.
Orientation cost
There is no upfront cost for students to participate in Orientation. The cost for the program is covered by the New Student Transition Fee on your student bill in your first semester and will be paid alongside tuition and other fees or covered by your financial aid package (if applicable).
The fee for incoming transfer students covers your full Orientation experience, including all virtual and in-person experiences, your Orientation materials, program staffing and other associated costs (including space rental and technology). The fee also contributes to programming for transfer students and adult learners during the academic year
Visit Student Financial Services for more information on student fees.
Transfer students can add a family member or supporter to their Orientation registration. For the in-person program, there is an additional fee. This non-refundable, one-time fee covers the cost to attend the in-person program and includes materials, refreshments and a meal during Orientation, access to Ram Ready Orientation Modules for families and supporters, staffing and rental fees.
Family and supporter fee for the summer 2024 Orientation: $35.00 (adults 18 and older), $15.00 (minors age 3-17) for in-person Orientation programs. There is no additional fee for guests to join the virtual Orientation program.
This fee is collected at the time of registration via a secure online payment system. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. We cannot accept cash or checks.
Note: Fees are subject to change from semester to semester. This fee is non-refundable.