HWS students are required to take a full course load, i.e. four full-credit courses each semester. Students who wish to take five or more full-credit courses in one semester are required to apply to their respective dean’s office for permission. Transfer students are normally discouraged from taking an overload their first semester.
If I have completed my associates am I guaranteed junior standing?
Students that have completed an associate’s degree may enter with junior standing. However, depending on intended major and previous program of study, it may not be possible to complete a bachelor’s degree in two years.
How will I register for classes?
Students will be able to register for classes online after consulting with their adviser and obtaining their pin number from their adviser.
Who will be my adviser?
While your dean will serve as your initial contact person and will guide you through your transition to HWS, a faculty adviser will be assigned to you shortly after matriculation.
Can I meet with faculty or other offices while visiting campus?
We strongly encourage this type of interaction as it allows the applicant to get a stronger sense of what their academic as well as extra curricular life might be like. However, we require two weeks notice in order to set up an appropriate day or overnight visit.
Will I need to take a First-Year Seminar?
Normally students who have completed a full semester at another institution will not be required to take a First-Year Seminar. In most years, we will offer a spring semester seminar for those students who start HWS with first year standing in January.
Can I live on campus?
Absolutely. In fact the Colleges are a residential campus and all traditional applicants should expect to live on campus.
Will I be housed with incoming first-year students?
No. You will be housed with other upperclass students. For housing questions, please call the Residential Education Office at (315) 781-3880.
When will I receive my campus housing assignment?
You should receive your housing assignment by mid-June or, for those matriculating later than mid-June, within two weeks of matriculation. Students who are admitted for the spring semester will learn about their housing assignment in early January.
Do the Colleges offer financial aid for transfer applicants?
Yes, we offer both need based as well as merit based aid for transfer applicants. For information, click here.
Do the Colleges offer a program for non-traditional students?
Yes, the Colleges have offered the Life Long Learner program since the early 1970’s for students that have taken a non-traditional path. Typically these students have completed an associate’s degree before entering and are required to have an interview.
I am an international applicant. Can I apply as a transfer student?
Absolutely. The Colleges encourage applications from international students.
Do the Colleges offer an orientation program for transfer students?
Yes, the Colleges offer a transfer orientation each spring and fall. While the fall program is intertwined with the first year program, the spring is usually conducted on a more individual basis.
I’ve already attended an orientation at my previous college. Why do I need to attend Orientation at Hobart and William Smith?
At Orientation you will learn information specific to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Since all transfer students are placed in the same Orientation group together, this will also be an opportunity to get to know other upperclass students; your Orientation leader will be a student who transferred to HWS him/herself. Your Orientation schedule will be somewhat different from the first-years’ schedule, taking into account the different needs of upperclass transfer students.