Summer 2026 Orientation dates for incoming transfer students are below and are listed by the college or school you were admitted to.

Session dates by college/school

• College of Engineering
  • July 10 (in-person)
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• College of Health Professions
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• College of Humanities and Sciences
  • June 17 (in-person)
  • July 10 (in-person)
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• College of Humanities and Sciences (Pre-Nursing admitted students)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
    
• L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
  • July 10 (in-person)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• School of the Arts
  • June 17 (in-person)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• School of Business
  • June 17 (in-person)
  • July 10 (in-person)
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• School of Education
  • July 10 (in-person)
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• School of Pharmacy
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 12 (virtual)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)
• School of Social Work
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • August 12 (virtual)
• University College
  • July 15 (virtual)
  • July 22 (in-person)
  • Aug. 13 (in-person)

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

Summer 2026 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.

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.

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.

Please park at the W. Main Street Parking Deck (located at 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.

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. When you arrive at the parking deck, you will pull a ticket from the kiosk to enter. Keep that ticket with you or in your car for when you leave the deck. Upon leaving the deck, you will first scan the ticket you received upon arrival, then scan the QR code provided on the Parking Voucher. Printed parking vouchers will also be available upon request during Orientation Check-in.

Parking vouchers are only valid in the designated parking deck for your Orientation.

10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Check-in, lunch and VCU Resource Fair.

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Military Benefits Meeting for students utilizing VA Benefits

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Session topics include:

• 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: Get Connected with VCU Families!

2:00-3:30 p.m. Sessions topics include:

• Establish your academic and career success plan at VCU;
• Connect with your College/School session to learn more about your academic program.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m Sessions topics include:

• 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

4:30 - 5:00 p.m Finish the day by taking pictures by the Ram Horns and completing your first VCU tradition! 

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

Meals included:

• Students and their registered family members will receive a lunch voucher to eat in the Student Commons Food Court. Available restaurants vary by session, but typical offerings include Chick-Fil-A and Choolaah, a fast-casual Indian restaurant offering bowls, salads and wraps. All dietary accommodations can be met at Choolah upon request.
• Light refreshments may also be served depending on the time of your Orientation.

Materials and giveaways:

• All students and their registered family members will receive a reusable bag and a refillable water bottle or tumbler;
• Registered family members will also receive a notebook and pen;
• Many campus offices will be on site for the Resource Fair giving away free VCU swag and flyers.

• Comfortable clothes and shoes; while it may be warm outside, we recommend bringing layers as buildings can be chilly in the summer.
• Umbrella or rain jacket. Summer's can be rainy in Richmond and afternoon showers occasionally sneak up. This program requires some outside movement between buildings and the program continues rain or shine.
• A state-issued ID or driver’s license; required if you plan to get your student ID while you're here.

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

BREAK

3 - 5 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.