<p>-I am posting ths here because I've found this section to be the most helpful on cc.</p>
<p>I was just wondering what mid-year(spring) transfer students go through once they arrive at the new school. Mainly, what should you expect to do during the first week or so...Like, do spring students attend some sort of orientation? What about housing? Are transfer students guaranteed dorm housing? If so, will they be assigned to dorm with regular freshmen or with other incoming students?</p>
<p>One more thing, for those that have transfered or are trasnferring, how long does it take to receive the decision from the university to which you are applying? Lets say I apply for the spring term, how long should it take for me to find ot whether ot not I was accepted?</p>
<p>And regarding the social aspect, how does one go about making friends when most fall-term freshmen have already settled and established their little groups?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Not all schools accept transfers for the spring term. I'm assuming you've checked re your particular school.</p></li>
<li><p>Virtually all of your other questions will vary by school, whether for spring or fall transfers. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>A. Some schools guarantee housing; some have special transfer dorms (or sections of dorms); some do not guarantee housing. Probably most offer housing for freshmen and sophomore transfers.
B. Some have more extensive Orientation sessions than others for transfers. My S was a fall transfer and at his particular school, the fall transfer orientation consisted of one luncheon meeting. Transfers were welcome to participate in the freshman orientation activities if they wished.
C. The calendar for application deadlines, date you will have your decision and date you need to reply whether you are coming varies substantially from school to school. You will have to check the website of each school. The most common deadline for transfer apps (for fall) is March 15, but there are wide variations. If you want to transfer for this coming spring, you will have to check quickly. Some schools respond to apps on a rolling basis. Some have specific decision dates.
D. Making friends is always a concern when one thinks about transferring (I transferred myself back in the day). You may find friends among other transfers (to start), especially if there are orientation activities, special dorm sections. You may be roomed with non-transfer students and, if it is a nice match, make friends through your roommates (this happened with my S this year). You may find friends through your floor-mates (this happened with me back in the day). You should try and join clubs of interest. You should seek friends among your classmates. It will happen. Social circles are probably not ever hardened in cement (or at least you wouldn't want to try to penetrate those particular circles ;) ); especially after only the first half of freshman year.</p>
<p>thanks jmmom, and yes, i have checked schools to which i may consider transferring to. It's just that I have been getting mixed stands from my peers regarding transferring in the spring. Some say that it is a handicap, while others claim it isn't all that horrible.</p>
<p>mark19 - If it's important to you, you'll make it work. And, if you go in the spring and don't feel "settled in" by next fall.... then, attend next fall's transfer orientation activities :).</p>
<p>Or, if you don't have a strong reason to transfer right away, and feel it will be easier to wait until fall, then do that.</p>