Transfer Students
Transfer Orientation
August 20 - 23
We’re very excited to have join the Mighty Oaks! We are looking forward to helping you get settled at ESF through a variety of events and sessions curated just for you. Orientation week is designed to help new students:
- Meet your classmates, peers, ESF faculty, staff, and administration
- Meet with your advisor and finalize your schedule
- Learn about resources available to you find out how to make the semester a success
- Understand ESF values and student expectations
- Explore the city of Syracuse
- Ease the transition to ESF
You can find important tasks you need to complete in the New Student Checklist.
Helpful Resources
Transfer Student 1:1 Academic Coaching
Sarah Fessler (she/her/hers)
Director of Student Success & Engagement
Office of Student Success & Engagement, 15 Moon
sfessler@esf.edu
Email for appointment or select a time
While college might not be new to you, we are aware that this is still a new experience. It's a time that will include challenging courses and meeting new people. What will the courses be like? How do we navigate all the new moments with peers, professors?
You’ll find that each question will lead to choices that shape your life at ESF. From friends who will nourish and support you, to courses that will open doors to new ideas and interests and leadership activities. We have so much to offer and so do YOU! We encourage you to embrace two ideas as you transition to our campus: 1) You have experience that matters, and 2) don’t be afraid to embrace the tourist mindset and act like a first-year student.
As a transfer student, you may have already done a first-year orientation and don’t want to be viewed as a first year again. We get that, and we also acknowledge that the rigor of science differs significantly from other schools. Attending all the social events during transfer orientation and first-year orientation is a great way to meet new friends who could become your best friends (and study buddies). You’ll see time on the schedule to interact with all new students and just transfers.
Transfer students bring new perspectives to the student body that should be showcased. As a transfer student, you might already know more about what you want and don’t want in a university. Embrace your prior experiences and share them openly with your peers. Remember that you also decided to transfer to ESF for a reason. Our campus and students are just as unique as you are, and you belong here. Bring your expertise to orientation, the classroom, student organizations, everywhere you go and start creating your network on campus.
You are your best advocate. We have plenty of people you will meet who can help support and guide you. However, a major part of the process is being able to advocate for what you need. The credit transfer process can be one of the trickiest parts of transitioning to a new school. As your credits start to roll in, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. For example, if you think a previous class you took should count for more or something different, discuss it with your adviser. Your advising team is there to help make your transition as smooth as possible. But nobody knows you and your classes better than you do. Reflect on your skills as you make this transition and consider some of your potential challenges. Be proactive about reaching out for support as you learn about the resources we have available! We want to see you succeed!
Communications
Miss any of our emails? No worries, we’re compiling them here as an easy reference.