Transfer students accepted for the Spring semester can attend Orientation in December (virtual) or January (virtual or in-person options). Availability is based on your academic school or college.

Spring 2027 Orientation dates:

Wed., Dec. 16, 1 -4:30 p.m. (Virtual, held over Zoom) - available for Arts, Business, Engineering, and Humanities & Sciences majors.

Thurs., Jan. 14, 1-4:30 p.m. (Virtual, held over Zoom) - available for all majors.

Fri., Jan. 15, 2027, 9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. (In-Person, held at the Student Commons) - available for all majors.

Note: Spring semester classes begin on Tues., Jan. 19. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for more information on important dates.

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 is 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 new and transfer students 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, parking, staffing, rental/facilities costs, refreshments and a meal during Orientation, as well as access to Ram Ready Orientation Modules.

2026-2027 Transfer Family Orientation rates (in-person only):

• Family member adult (age 18+): $40
• Family member minor (age 4-17): $20
• Small child age 3 and under: No cost.

This fee is collected at the time of registration via secure online payment system. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. We cannot accept cash or checks. Note: Fees are evaluated annually and are subject to change from year to year.

Many of VCU’s transfer students are also adult learners or non-traditional students. At VCU, adult learners are undergraduate students who are 25 years old or older when they start their education at VCU. Non-traditional students are those who are married/widowed/divorced, have children/dependents or who are military-affiliated (veteran/active duty/reservists). We know that undergraduate students who fit in either of these groups may have some unique needs and concerns as a student. The Transfer Center provides support to adult and non-traditional students and serves as a great resource for you. Look out for breakout sessions for this group at your Orientation.

For military-affiliated students, including veterans, active service members, spouses and dependents, be sure to check in with VCU's Military Student Services (MSS) for support with transitioning to academic. MSS also oversees all VA education benefits. New students utilizing any military benefits should work with this office to complete the benefits process.

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, we recommend that you attend a transfer Orientation session. There may be a fee associated with attending an in-person session since readmitted students are not billed the new student transition fee at the time of readmittance. Be sure to follow the readmitted Accepted Student Checklist for important steps to return to VCU.

Dates for Fall 2027 Orientations will be available in April 2027.

Session dates by college/school:

• College of Engineering
• College of Health Professions
• College of Humanities and Sciences
• College of Humanities and Sciences (Pre-Nursing admitted students)
• L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
• School of the Arts
• School of Business
• School of Education
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Social Work
• University College

• Parking is available at the W. Main Street Parking Deck (801 W. Main St.). Parking locations occasionally change, so please confirm the exact parking location for your session in the reminder email sent to you before Orientation. 
• Upon arriving to the parking deck, take a ticket from the kiosk and hold on to it for when you leave the deck.
• Parking voucher use: Parking is included in your fees for Orientation. Before your Orientation, you will be emailed a parking voucher with a QR code. Printed parking vouchers will also be available upon request during Orientation Check-in.
• Check-in will take place on the 1st Floor of the Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave). You can enter the building at the corner of Main St. and Cherry St. across the street from the parking deck.

Parking vouchers are only valid in the designated parking deck for your Orientation and are only valid through 11:59 p.m. on the day of your Orientation. 

The In-Person Transfer schedule includes:

• Check-in and VCU Resource Fair
• Military Benefits Meeting for students utilizing VA Benefits
• Student well-being, advocacy and involvement
• Safety on- and off-campus
• Smaller group sessions to help you connect with other new transfer students
• Families only session: Get Connected with VCU Families
• Lunch on campus
• Establish your academic and career success plan at VCU
• Connect with your College/School session to learn more about your academic program
• Academic support, such as tutoring and writing support, the Transfer Center and VCU libraries,
• Campus services, including dining, the VCU Bookstore, and RamTech
• Parking and off-campus housing support

Session topics and times may vary. A final schedule will be available closer to your scheduled Orientation.

All students and registered family members/supporters will receive the following:

• Students: a drawstring bag, a refillable water bottle, and a custom VCU t-shirt.
• Families and supporters: a tote bag, a refillable tumbler and a notebook.
• Many campus offices will be on site for the Resource Fair and giving away free VCU items and informational flyers.
• Meals included:
  • Refreshments in the morning (coffee and tea)
  • Lunch at an on-campus dining facility
  • Snack or treat at the end of the program

*For students attending virtual Orientation, items given away at in-person Orientation are available upon request after your virtual session, and can be picked up on campus. For more information, please email newrams@vcu.edu.

• Comfortable clothes and shoes; we recommend bringing layers and to be prepared to walk outside for short periods from the parking deck and between buildings for sessions.
• Umbrella or rain jacket and/or winter coat. This program requires some outside movement between buildings and the program continues rain, snow, or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the Orientation team will reach out to all registered participants with any updates or changes to the schedule or modality. Check VCU Alerts for the most updated information on inclement weather and possible impacts to campus operations.
• A state-issued ID or driver’s license; required if you plan to get your student ID while you're here.

12- 12:45 p.m. Military Student Services Briefing - required for students receiving VA benefits (a separate Zoom link will be shared for this session).

All students:

1 - 3 p.m. Welcome, Designing your success, college/school breakout sessions and student success resources (tutoring, writing support, transfer center and VCU libraries)

BREAK

3 - 4:30 p.m. VCU Campus Services (VCUDine, Barnes & Noble @ VCU, RamTech), VCU Parking & Transportation, and off-campus housing session, student involvement and well-being resources, the Student Financial Management Center, and safety on and off-campus. Breakout sessions based on your interests.

Session topics and times may vary. A final schedule will be available closer to your scheduled Orientation.

• Check your technology. We’ll be utilizing Zoom for your virtual meeting, so make sure you have the most updated version of Zoom. You may begin using the VCU Zoom platform by logging in at zoom.vcu.edu. VCU Zoom accounts are set up on a rolling basis throughout the summer, so if your account is not set up yet, you may use a personal Zoom account.
• Get your meeting link. You will be able to access your Zoom meeting link a few minutes prior to the start of your session. You will receive instructions via email one to two days prior.
• Plan to be in a quiet place free from distractions. For your safety, you should not join this meeting while operating a vehicle, and you should do your best to be in a quiet location free from distractions. You will be muted upon entry, but are encouraged to unmute to ask questions, if you would like.
• We strongly recommend that you join using a computer, laptop, or tablet so you can easily view the slides, use the chat box, and see the presenters. It is not recommended that you join using a phone.
• For a more personal experience and to help build community, we encourage you to turn your video on, if you feel comfortable, although it is not required.