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Admitted Transfer Students: Next Steps
Admitted Transfer Students
You've been admitted! What to do next:
To join the Bobcat family, admitted transfer students have important next steps to take. You are encouraged to read all of the information about each of the steps to prepare for a successful start at OHIO.
Are you starting in spring or summer semester? View your next steps and timeline.
Please check out our in-person and virtual visit opportunities to talk with advisors, faculty and students. You can ask questions online, receive a phone call or text, or participate in an online event.
| Next Steps | When |
|---|---|
| Activate your OHIO ID | Upon applying |
| Complete Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form | Immediately Upon Admission |
| Fund your education/file FAFSA | Beginning in December |
| Confirm your intent to enroll/submit housing contract and deposit | Dec. 2 - May 1 |
| Review preliminary transfer credit evaluation | 10 days after admission |
| Sign up online for the Campus Connections class | Beginning February 1 |
| Pay $200 housing deposit for returning room selection | By February 28 |
| Sign up for Bobcat Student Orientation | Beginning February 1 |
| Choose a room during second-year room selection (if applicable) | March 24-28 |
| Review financial aid offer | Beginning in May |
| Pay $200 housing deposit for general room selection | By May 1 |
| Select a first-year roommate if you wish | Beginning May 1 |
| Choose a room during first-year room selection (if applicable) | May 19-22 |
| Transfer your credits | Before orientation |
| Attend Bobcat Student Orientation | June-August |
| Review merit scholarship letter | Beginning mid-June (if applicable) |
| Review student expectations and academic calendar | After orientation |
| Enable OHIO online services | After orientation |
| Request final transcript be sent to OHIO | By June 30 |
| Complete online alcohol and sexual assault education courses** | Upon receiving access to the modules |
| Pay fall semester account balance | August 21 |
| Move in | August 21-22 |
| Start fall semester classes | August 25 |
** Transfer students with fewer than 30 earned credit hours are required to complete this training.
Activate Your OHIO ID
Upon Applying
To get started, it is essential that you activate your OHIO ID. You need your OHIO ID to access your OHIO email and the housing contract. Your birth date and your personal identification (PID) number (provided in your application acknowledgement email) are all you need to officially activate your online OHIO access, including email.
Make sure you check your OHIO email regularly. All official correspondence will be sent to your Ohio University email account.
Complete Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review
Immediately Upon Request
This quick, simple form is required for all admitted students as part of our commitment to providing the safest possible learning environment at Ohio University. The Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review form is available in your MyOHIO Student Center and should be completed immediately. Disclosing a formal disciplinary action, charge or conviction does not automatically disqualify you from enrollment, but your disclosures will be reviewed. Based on your answers, we may contact you to request further information. The form must be completed, reviewed and cleared for enrollment before you can sign up for Bobcat Student Orientation (if applicable) or register for classes.
Learn About the Required Pre-Enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review
Fund Your Education
Beginning in December
Ohio University is committed to an affordable college education. We are dedicated to helping our students find the financial support they need to discover their promise at OHIO. During the 2023-2024 academic year, our students earned more than $74 million in scholarships, and more than $31 million in institutional, state and federal need-based gift aid was awarded.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as your application for all types of financial assistance at Ohio University. The FAFSA results must be received by Ohio University no later than May 15 for first-priority consideration for all federal, state and institutional financial aid. Your application for admission serves as your merit-based scholarship application. For scholarship consideration, transfer students must be admitted for fall semester by February 15, 2025. OHIO may continue to award using updated credentials on an individual basis throughout the year.
In the MyOHIO Student Center, you can view account details, account balance and payment options. You can also designate authorized users to enable other individuals to view your account details and make payments.
Confirm Your Intent to Enroll
To retain any scholarships you have been offered, you will need to confirm your intent to enroll by:
- Submitting the housing contract and deposit OR submitting the housing exemption form (if applicable)
- Submitting your final transcript from your current institution
- Signing up for Bobcat Student Orientation
Transfer students with fewer than four semesters or six quarters in the residence halls after high school graduation are required to live on campus and participate in the associated meal plan. (Learn more in the housing section or review the housing exemption page.) Students who are not required to live on campus may still apply for housing. Confirming your intent to enroll after May 1 may impact some housing options.
Planning to be a Bobcat?
Why wait?! Let us know today that you plan to enroll at Ohio University (and become a Bobcat for life!) by submitting your housing contract and deposit or housing exemption form.
Our beautiful, historic, residential campus in Athens, Ohio, provides an environment where students of diverse backgrounds live and learn together, build friendships and share their ideas and perspectives. About 8,000 students live in our 30+ residence halls and dine in our award-winning campus eateries.
Housing Process Overview
Students do not need to know where they would like to live on campus to complete a housing contract. After completing the application and selecting a meal plan, students will receive information about housing selection. Visit the Housing and Residence Life room viewing page to check out each room style.
- Transfer students who are admitted and have submitted the housing contract and deposit by February 28 may participate in the Returning Student Room Selection process March 24-28 through Housing Self-Service. In this process, transfer students may select an individual or match with up to three other second year/transfer students as long as all students complete their contract and deposit by the February 28 deadline.
- Transfer students who are admitted and have submitted the housing contract and deposit by May 1 may participate in the First Year Room Selection process May 19-22. In this process, transfer students may only participate if they are matched with a first-year student who has submitted the housing contract and deposit by the May 1 deadline.
- Transfer students who submit their housing contract and deposit after May 1, or who do not participate in either room selection process, will be placed in available spaces within second year halls. Any roommate requests or assignment requests can be made by sending an email to housing@ohio.edu prior to being assigned. After an assignment is made, all room changes will be made through the Room Change Process.
- Students must apply to the Campus Connections course to be eligible to live in the Transfer Living Community.
Students will be assigned a move-in date and time, but may change it through Housing Self-Service. Students must arrive at their scheduled date and time. Keys will not be available for students who arrive outside of their scheduled time.
To learn more about the housing process for transfer students, visit the Housing and Residence Life transfer student page and the housing exemption page.
Review Transfer Credit Evaluation
Transfer students can use their activated OHIO email address and password to view a preliminary transfer credit evaluation in their online MyOHIO Student Center. The preliminary transfer credit evaluation is available within 10 days after admission.
The guide Understanding Your Online Transfer Credit Evaluation Report explains how to interpret each part of the report. If you have questions about your report, you can review our FAQ.
Explore Campus Connections
Beginning February 1
The UC 1500 Campus Connections class is a space for transfer and OHIO Relocate students to learn about the campus resources, the Athens community and to build a community within the class. A peer leader is assigned to each class. They will support class conversations, engage in out-of-class activities and help you to be academically successful in your transition.
With your class members, the Campus Connections instructor and your peer leader, you will make connections throughout the University. Each of these unique relationships can contribute to an academically rich, fun and rewarding experience and your ultimate success at OHIO.
Sign Up for Orientation
Beginning February 1
Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) connects you with the people and resources you'll need to transition into OHIO with confidence. During this required one-day event, faculty, staff and orientation leaders will teach you about the curriculum and the requirements for your major. You must attend orientation even if you did so at your previous institution.
In-person and virtual orientation sessions are conducted during June, but not all program dates are open to all majors. If you are unable to find an available session for your major, contact the BSO office at 740.593.1951 or orientation@ohio.edu. Staff will contact you within two days to find a program date that works for you and your family. Additional programs for transfer students who are unable to attend a session in June will be held in July and August. Please contact the BSO office to take advantage of those later dates.
Please review the Preparing for Your Orientation page to ensure you are fully prepared to participate in orientation. Placement tests are critical, so be sure you've taken all necessary placement tests before your scheduled BSO program. You should also review the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 (coming soon!) to learn about available courses. Bobcat Student Orientation includes registering for courses.
You will learn how to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you as part of the OHIO community. Transfer students who have confirmed their intent to enroll will receive BSO registration information in the mail.
Transfer Your Credits
Before Orientation
In general, college level courses taken at a Council for Higher Education (CHEA) recognized regionally accredited institution will transfer to Ohio University with a grade of "D-" or better. Test credit (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program) is also generally accepted, provided you earn the necessary score. To transfer your credit, you must have an official college transcript or score report sent from the college or testing agency directly to Undergraduate Admissions. You can read OHIO's policy on transferring college-level credit in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Prepare to Join OHIO
Beginning in May
Now you are ready to complete the rest of the tasks required to ensure a smooth transition to your first day at Ohio University. This includes reviewing the course catalog, enabling your online services, learning about student health services and insurance, and planning for transportation to campus. Transfer students with fewer than 30 earned credit hours must complete the online alcohol and sexual assault education courses.