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Undergraduate Admissions
Terrell Hall
Athens, Georgia 30602-1633
(706) 542-8776 p (706) 542-1466 f
UGA Undergraduate Admissions / Orientation / FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Orientation
Transfer Orientation FAQ
(all of these questions link to corresponding text at the bottom of the page)
- When can I sign up for a Transfer Orientation session?
- Will I be able to get a good schedule of classes if I come to one of the later Orientation sessions?
- Where and when do I report on the day of my assigned Orientation session?
- What time will I be finished with Orientation?
- Is there an Orientation program for parents, and what does it cost?
- What do I need to bring with me to Orientation?
- What should I do if my plans change and I need to switch to another Fall Semester Orientation session?
- What if I can’t attend any of the scheduled sessions?
- Do I need to bring my final high school transcript with me to Orientation?
- When and where do I need to return the immunization form?
- What should I do if I want to change my intended academic major?
- How do I pay the Orientation fee?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
1. When can I sign up for an Orientation session?
Orientation invitations will be e-mailed in early November to all First-Year students admitted for Spring Semester. After receiving the Orientation invitation, students can go to the Orientation Registration Page to select an orientation session and register online.
Summer and Fall Semesters
Orientation information will be e-mailed in early May to all admitted Transfer students. After receiving the Orientation invitation, students can go to the Orientation Registration Page to select an orientation session and register online. Sessions are reserved on a first come, first served basis, so do not delay in responding when you receive your invitation.
2. Will I be able to get a good schedule of classes if I come to one of the later Orientation sessions?
Spring and Summer Semesters
Because current UGA will have already registered by the time of your Orientation, there is no way to predict which classes will be available at registration. The “perfect” schedule may not be available, but all students should be able to register for a full load of classes that will fulfill their core curriculum and degree requirements. New students should be prepared to be flexible and should not rule out registering for classes that begin as early as 8 a.m. or late in the afternoon. Students who are not satisfied with their schedule can change it as late as the fourth day of classes during the Drop/Add period.
Fall Semester
There is no way to predict which classes will be available at registration throughout the summer. Many popular classes tend to be carefully monitored throughout the summer to make sure there is adequate space. There is a possibility that some departments will open new class sections if they see the need to create more room for new students. While there may be a wider variety of class options at earlier sessions, it is actually possible that someone at a later Orientation session may get to choose from options that weren’t available earlier in the summer. The “perfect” schedule may not be available, but all students should be able to register for a full load of classes that will fulfill their core curriculum and degree requirements. New students should be prepared to be flexible and should not rule out registering for classes that begin as early as 8 a.m. or late in the afternoon. It’s more difficult to predict class availability for Transfer students. Students who are not satisfied with their schedule can change it as late as the fourth day of classes during the Drop/Add period.
3. Where and when do I report on the day of my assigned Orientation session?
Check in for Spring, Summer and Fall Semester Transfer Orientation sessions will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Tate Student Center. On the morning of your assigned Orientation session, arrive between 8:00 and 8:20 a.m. at the Tate Student Center movie theater, which is located on the third floor. At check in, you will get your Orientation information folder and program.
4. What time will I be finished with Orientation?
Many students in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences will meet with an academic advisor on the day after the Orientation session. Be prepared to be available the next day for advising if you are a Franklin College student.
Otherwise, the last official Orientation activity for all new students is registration for classes. Students are free to leave after they have completed registration, and most students are through registering by 6:00 p.m. However, do not make plans to leave prior to 6:00 p.m. If you are making airline reservations, keep in mind that it takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours (if traffic is slow) to get to the Atlanta airport from Athens.
5. Is there an Orientation program for parents, and what does it cost?
Yes, parents are invited to attend Orientation with their student. There will be a separate program at Orientation just for parents. There is no additional fee for parents. They will pay only what it costs if they choose to eat in the dining hall. At the Tate Student Center, parents will pick up their program and have the opportunity to purchase a meal ticket for lunch in the dining hall.
6. What do I need to bring with me to Orientation?
Bring comfortable clothes and shoes—you will do a lot of walking on campus at Orientation, so it’s okay to sacrifice style for comfort! You will be outside some, so be prepared for the heat and humidity of summer in Georgia. An umbrella may come in handy. You will need to have $15 to pay for your UGACard. You may want some additional spending money as well.
7. What should I do if my plans change and I need to switch to another Orientation session?
Orientation sessions are assigned on a first come, first served basis, and it is not always possible to assign students to their first choice. However, if you do need to change sessions, you may return to the Online Orientation Reservation System to select a new session. If you choose to change sessions, be aware that you may not be able to get back into your previous session once you make a change. The Orientation fee is non-refundable. Note: There is only one Summer Semester Transfer Orientation session.
8. What if I can’t attend any of the scheduled sessions?
If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled Orientation sessions, you should call the Orientation office at (706) 542-9127 for instructions.
9. Do I need to bring my final high school transcript with me to Orientation?
No. The UGA Admissions Office needs to receive a copy of your final transcript from your previous school by the beginning of the first semester for which you are enrolled at UGA. It will be checked to verify that you completed your work and that you still meet transfer admission requirements. Your eligibility to register for classes at Orientation will not be affected by the submission of your final transcript. However, to make sure we receive the transcript prior to the beginning of the semester, you may want to make the transcript request of your counselor prior to the end of your last semester at your previous school.
10. When and where do I need to return the immunization form?
You should complete and return the Immunization and Medical History form two weeks prior to your Orientation session. This form requires the signature of your physician or health facility. You will not be allowed to register for classes if you have not completed this form and returned it to:
Medical Records Department
University Health Center
Athens, GA 30602-1755
If you have any questions about this requirement, call the University Health Center at (706) 542-1767.
11. What should I do if I want to change my intended academic major?
The most popular major for new students is “unspecified,” and that’s perfectly okay. The average college student changes his/her major more than four times in four years. UGA offers more than 170 academic programs to choose from, so it’s no surprise that students have difficulty deciding. You can begin exploring the variety of majors online at the Major Decisions Web page. However, if you do know your intended major, and if it is different than the major your were admitted to, you can change your major at Orientation.
12. How do I pay the Orientation fee?
The non-refundable Orientation fee is $40 for Transfer Students. Orientation fees will automatically be charged to your UGA Student Account within three business days after you register for Orientation. You will need to pay the balance of your Student Account prior to attending your Orientation session. To pay your Student Account balance online, go to the Student Accounts System page. In order to access your Student Account, you will need to create a UGA MyID.
Still have questions? Please call our Orientation office at (706)542-9127.
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