Transfer students and adult learners must complete all components of Orientation. VCU offers a streamlined program and virtual options for Orientation that are 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.

Transfer students are those who have attended at least one semester at another college or university and are transferring credits to VCU. Adult learners are undergraduate students who are 25 years old or older when they start their education at VCU.

Readmitted students are those who have reapplied for admission after at least three consecutive semesters away from VCU. For those who have been away since Spring 2021 or earlier, we recommend you attend a Transfer Orientation session. For those who have been enrolled at VCU more recently, we have an abbreviated hour-long virtual session to get you re-acquainted with VCU and caught up on anything you have missed.

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!

If you haven't already, please review the Transfer Student Checklist for more details on the need-to-know information to prepare for Orientation and your first semester at VCU!

Be sure to check out these additional resources for transfer students and adult learners:

Transfer Orientation

Transfer students and adult learners accepted can select either an in-person or virtual option for Orientation. The in-person option will consist of a half-day on-campus program. The virtual program typically runs for three to four hours and takes place over Zoom. Both programs will include some online components to complement your Orientation session.

 Summer 2023 Transfer and Adult Learner Orientation

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. Please verify this through the VCU Application Portal. To request a change of major, email admproc@vcu.edu at least two weeks in advance of your Orientation date to ensure you are in the correct session. If changing your major results in a change of your college/school, you may need to select a new Orientation session.

Transfer Orientation Dates:

Transfer and Adult Learner Orientation Overview

Below is an overview of each component of the Orientation experience. You will receive more detailed information in your email once you have completed your Orientation registration (when available). It is important to check your email regularly and read over emails carefully.

Special transfer Orientation programs

VCU will offer several tailored programs, including those for student veterans and adult learners, to help you connect with other students like you and the departments and resources that support your needs!

There will be no upfront cost for the student Orientation program. The cost for the program is covered by the new student transition fee on your student bill and will be paid alongside tuition and other fees or covered by your financial aid package (if applicable).

The new student transition fee for incoming transfer students covers your full Orientation experience (including all online, virtual and in-person experiences, your Orientation materials, and transition programming that supports you and your family and supporters in your first year at VCU).

Visit Student Financial Services for more information on student fees.

Family and supporters fee

Transfer students can add a guest 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 and includes a printed VCU Academic Calendar, materials, refreshments and a meal during Orientation, access to Ram Ready Online Modules for families and supporters, staffing and rental fees. 

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.

Transfer Orientation guest fee: $30.00 per person for in-person Orientation programs. ​​There is no additional fee for guests to join the virtual Orientation program.

Please note: Fees are subject to change from semester to semester. This fee is non-refundable.

Advising and Course Placement

Advising and course registration will take place in tandem with your Orientation session. Transfer students can begin their course registration before meeting with an advisor.

To begin preparing for course registration and to learn more about placement tests, scheduling your advising appointment and more, review the Transfer Advising Guide.