We are preparing for a meaningful and robust virtual orientation for new Penn State students. Please visit the University's Orientation site for the latest information.

Transfer students are encouraged but not required to attend a Transfer Student Orientation (TSO) session. Registration for TSO for the fall semester begins in April, and you can register through your New Student Orientation task list.

You will meet separately with an academic adviser for an introduction to your major. During that meeting, you will choose and enroll in your courses for the upcoming semester. You do not need to have attended an orientation session to meet with an academic adviser.

Information about your next steps will be sent via email after you accept your offer of admission. Please contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies at 814-949-5084 for assistance.

Explore campus virtually via our campus map

Frequently Asked Questions for Transfer Students

Do I need to enroll in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Yes, in order to use Penn State websites, students need to enroll in 2FA to protect their Penn State account and personal information.

How do students select a Transfer Student Orientation date?
Students will choose an available Transfer Student Orientation date online. If illness or circumstances arise resulting in your inability to attend the session, please notify the Advising Center at 814-949-5084.

Do students need to attend the entire program?
Yes. There are important sessions for students and families throughout the day. Essential information will be missed by leaving early or by being absent from sessions.

What materials do students need to bring to Transfer Student Orientation?
Students will need a photo ID to be able to get a Penn State ID card. If students do not bring a photo ID—such as a driver's license, military ID, or passport—they will not be able to receive an ID card during Transfer Student Orientation, and they will not be able to participate in the Transfer Student Orientation sessions fully. Please also bring a pen or pencil.

When do students schedule classes?
Students will contact the relevant Program Coordinator (PC) or College Contact Resource Representative (CCRR) to discuss their academic goals, placement test scores (if appropriate), and to select appropriate courses for the spring semester. Please contact Advising Center at 814-949-5084 to receive the name and contact information for the PC or CCRR based on your intended major.

Will Students and Families Attend Sessions Together?
Family participation is very helpful to students, and we encourage families to attend Transfer Student Orientation. Students and families will be separated for some sessions. College is an opportunity for students to continue making decisions on their own. It is critical for them to take responsibility for their choices of classes, schedules, and majors. Advisers will be available to assist students in making decisions throughout the day. Although the same academic information will be presented to both students and families, there are specialized sessions to discuss relevant topics for each group. If you have questions after the Transfer Student Orientation day, you are welcome to contact the Advising Center at 814-949-5084.

Can students make schedule changes after Transfer Student Orientation?
Yes. Students have until the add/drop deadline to make schedule changes. The deadline is six days into the semester to drop a class and seven days to add a class. This allows students to attend classes to decide if any schedule changes need to be made. The online schedule of courses shows course availability and information needed to register for classes. The LionPATH system is used to register for classes and make schedule changes. Students will learn how to use the system during Transfer Student Orientation.

How Do Students find out who their designated Academic Adviser will be?
Students can find the adviser's name and contact information in LionPATH on the Student Center Home Page or under Network in Starfish.

How does Penn State utilize Transfer Credits for the major that I am planning to declare?
Before attending Transfer Student Orientation, please visit the Transferring Credits to Penn State page to evaluate how your courses may transfer to Penn State. Please print the results of the web evaluation and have available during your phone or in-person meeting with the PC or CRR. The evaluation will list your courses as either “Direct Equivalent,” “General,” or “Pending.” If the course is NOT listed as a “Direct Equivalent” and you wish to have it reevaluated, you must provide a copy of the course syllabus to the PC or CRR for further review.

When is the tuition bill sent?
Tuition bills will be sent to student email accounts after scheduling classes. Students are not officially registered until the bill is paid. For more information visit the Office of the Bursar web site.

How do I access free WiFi on campus?
Information about WiFi for guests is available on the Information Technology page.

Final Transcripts for Financial Aid
Students must submit all final college transcripts in order to receive financial aid. While the admission decision can be made using unofficial/non-final transcripts, the final transcripts must be submitted in order to view your transfer credits and to further process any financial aid for which you are eligible. Please check “details” in your Student Center in LionPATH to determine which office you will need to contact regarding taking the appropriate academic action if needed.

Can I change my major after I’m accepted to Penn State?
Changing your major in order to gain admission to Penn State with the intention of switching to your original program on your admission application is not advisable. Many academic colleges, like the College of Engineering or the Smeal College of Business, will not accept students who are not accepted into the college of enrollment upon admission as a transfer student.

You may change your major to a program for which you qualify.

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to be admitted to a Penn State major is 2.00 and third-semester standing. However, there are exceptions to this minimum cumulative grade point average, and the exceptions may depend upon what courses a student completed in high school and/or the courses a student completed from the college or university one is transferring from.

For more information on what the course and grade requirements are from high school and/or a non-Penn State college or university, one can go to the websites listed below to determine if a student may or may not qualify for a Penn State major.

For questions regarding the admission and transfer credit process, please contact Sheri Harper, Associate Director of Admission, at 814-949-5467 or [email protected].

Do I have to take a placement test prior to starting my courses at Penn State?
Penn State uses the Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) mathematics assessment to determine readiness and appropriate course placement in quantification (math or statistics) and science courses (physics and chemistry). Once you have been accepted to Penn State Altoona and paid your acceptance fee, you will be contacted by the Advising Center to inform you of your need to take ALEKS and the next steps in the process. ALEKS can be taken online so you do not need to come to campus to complete the assessment. If you have questions, please contact the Advising Center at 814-949-5084.

Students currently enrolled at other Penn State locations who want to continue their education at Penn State Altoona may request a change of campus to Penn State Altoona.