Transfer Students

Advising Transfer Students

Faculty who advise transfer students receive a folder for each transfer advisee. These folders contain somewhat different information than those prepared for first-year students: both high school and college transcripts, credit evaluation.

Transfer students are invited to Transfer Orientation, which includes information about support services and opportunities to interact with other transfer students. Second Friday Transfer Advising Meetings are arranged to provide advisors/advisees an early opportunity in the semester to establish an advising relationship.  This type of engagement helps transfer students not get "lost in the shuffle" when they arrive on campus, especially during the Spring semester.

Retention of transfer students is highest when these students make connections to the Siena community and the academic environment. Students coming from community colleges, or those who are returning to school after some time away, often find the adjustment particularly difficult. Referrals to other support services (Tutoring, Counseling Center, etc.) should be made where necessary.

Transfer students often wonder if they need to take First Year Seminar. This is decided on a case-by-case basis by the School offices. In most cases, students who enter Siena with 24 or more credits are not placed in First Year Seminar. These students will substitute two additional Core courses from any two areas of the college Core.