<p>High school senior is considering transferring after a year at another university. The question is whether they would miss out on some of the freshman traditions? Are transfers accepted well by the other students? Are they housed together the first year? We visited and saw what a friendly place it was so I assuming they matriculate just fine. Just wanted to know if any transfers felt like they missed out on a lot not going freshman (and maybe sophomore for some) year....</p>
<p>^^ bump ^^^^^^</p>
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Per the website, housing is not guaranteed for transfer students. It’s only guaranteed for all students for 3 of the 4 years (though almost everyone who wants on campus housing gets it if they pursue it). There is an orientation program for transfer students both semesters, and a student ambassador program for transfers: [Transfer</a> Student Ambassadors](<a href=“Services | William & Mary”>Services | William & Mary)</p>
<p>I hope a transfer student will check in to report their own experiences. Just wanted to say that, from what I’ve observed, the freshman experience is quite important anywhere in terms of friendships. Of course transfer students can and do form close relationships, find their peer groups, become involved in ECs, etc. - but the freshman year bond is a real one. My 27 y/o d still sees friends from her freshman hall every few weeks; there have been two marriages from that hall in the past few years. I think this doesn’t have to mean a huge challenge to transfer students - it’s just one of those nice things about being in one place from the beginning.</p>
<p>You might want to pm Tribe1693 – he transferred into W&M in 2006 and graduated in 2008 and is now in law school. Had nothing but great things to say about how welcoming W&M made it for transfer students on the transfer thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/1050737-william-mary-fall-2011-transfer-thread-7.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/1050737-william-mary-fall-2011-transfer-thread-7.html</a></p>
<p>Couple of things – don’t go to a college thinking you are going to transfer. Choose a college where you can see yourself going for four years. Many people realize they’ve ended up exactly where they’re a good fit, even if they didn’t get their “dream school.” But if you find, that you are still interested, make sure you take a well-rounded selection of courses and get a 3.5 or higher to leave your options open.</p>
<p>Also, I know people usually say that students make most of their friends in their first year of college, but really, there are lots of kids who take a year just to get settled and sometimes, first-year friendships fall by the wayside. Also, so many kids transfer nowadays, so I think it’s easier to make friends. W&M accepts, what, a couple of hundred each year? There will be a FB group up for the next bunch of transfers by the end of next week; I’m guessing there will be some friendships made even before any of the transfers step foot on campus.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Transfer students are not guaranteed housing although some will receive it and transfer students are not house together. Incoming freshman are guaranteed housing and do live in freshman residence halls. Transfers still participate in incoming student traditions including orientation and opening convocation. We very much want to integrate them into the W&M community.</p>
<p>Agree with UVaHoo, do not go to a college planning to transfer. Look for colleges where you can see yourself having a fantastic experience. If a student is interested in W&M, they should apply to it as a freshman. The worse that happens is that they don’t get in. They can of course always consider transferring from elsewhere but we do urge students to give other schools a chance as there are so many great institutions out there.</p>