The Transfer Experience

Welcome all transfer students to Florida Atlantic University! Our philosophy is to provide you with meaningful engagement opportunities while you pursue your degree. Below you will find our signature experiences dedicated to transfer students happening every Fall and Spring semester. We believe taking part in these activities will enhance your student experience, provide information about graduate school and enhance your career readiness. We look forward to engaging with you! Go Owls!


Signature Transfer Student Experiences

Red, White & Paradise

Red, White & Paradise is a networking opportunity dedicated to our transfer and first-generation students at Florida Atlantic University. As a signature transfer student experience, creating a sense of belonging to our University community while also curating meaningful engagement opportunities with our students is emblematic of our transfer student engagement philosophy. Check out the video below for more insight about Red, White and Paradise!



Student Reactions to Red, White & Paradise

“Red, White & Paradise was great! This event has encouraged me to meet other students and participate in future events/activities. Generally, I'm shy in new environments and wait for people to approach me to speak, but this event was an inviting comfortable meet-up. It felt easier because most of the students had a familiar experience as me, i.e. coming in as a transfer from a different institution.” – Megan

“Being new to campus, meeting up and talking to people was not high on my to-do list, but Red, White, & Paradise definitely broke the ice for me and gave me some momentum to be more active on campus. Pretty soon, I'll be a part of a few clubs on campus and I have the TAP Program to thank for that.” – Destiny N.

“As a transfer student and first-generation student, it's hard to find your place/people that feel like a home away from home. I feel like Red, White & Paradise forced everyone to step out of their comfort zone and interact with new people. The biggest takeaway from this experience was that I'm not alone. I learned that many transfer/first-generation students struggle at first with building connections independently, but Red, White & Paradise created a safe space for everyone to network.” – Destiny P.

Your Future Awaits

Your Future Awaits is a virtual experience designed to provide information to our transfer students about the advanced degree programs offered at Florida Atlantic University. This signature transfer student experience begins with the Graduate College engaging our transfer students with a detailed presentation about the graduate school process. Next, transfer students are able to engage with our campus partners, which include the College of Business, the College of Social Work & Criminal Justice, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the College of Education, the College of Arts & Letters and the College of Science who provide specific information about the graduate degree programs that are available at their specific colleges. Check out the video below for more information about Your Future Awaits!

Student Reactions to Your Future Awaits

“Your Future Awaits gave me the opportunity to learn more about the graduate degree programs available at FAU. Overall, everyone was very nice and friendly and willing to help us with whatever it is that we may have needed, and that was honestly that’s the kind of vibes that the people at Florida Atlantic University give off. Helpful, friendly, and willing to help their students succeed and become the best version of themselves that they can be.” – Katherine

“I have been interested in getting to know how to apply for graduate school, but I never knew who to go to or where to find out, so I saw this as a perfect opportunity to build an understanding. It was interesting learning about all the programs that FAU has to offer at the graduate level. During the meeting, I felt like I had more motivation to find out what I need to do to get to where I want to be right now and in the future. I feel more confident about taking my education to that level and that I can complete it.” – Monica

“I would rate this virtual experience a 10/10; the background information about the different graduate degree programs was amazing.” – Mikaella

Secure the Bag

Secure the Bag is a signature transfer student experience committed to maximizing the career readiness of our students at Florida Atlantic University. In collaboration with the Financial Aid department and the FAU Career Center, Secure the Bag provides information about scholarships, FAFSA, job strategies, resume building, employment negotiations and so much more! This virtual experience offers advice and guidance from industry experts that FAU students can use to maximize their job prospects post-graduation. For more information about this experience, check out below!

Student Reactions to Secure the Bag

“Secure the Bag was an event that presented me with valuable information and advice about resume building, and interview preparation. I am thankful I attended this event because I am now focusing on career readiness and I believe taking advantage of these opportunities and resources will help me reach my goals.” – Shambrielle

“As a recently transferred FAU Owl, learning about the plethora of resources FAU has to offer and the ways we as students, can take advantage of those resources was nothing but a heartwarming and reassuring feeling. These types of experiences reinforce the idea that FAU cares about its students and would like to see them succeed in both their professional and personal lives.” – Luis

“Secure the Bag was thought provoking and informative. I enjoyed listening to the panelists speak about how to land employment and improve my resume. All of the topics discussed were intended to maximize my career readiness. All in all, this event was very well organized, helpful and using the tools I learned here have become an integral part of planning for my career while enrolled at FAU.” – Lauren

Upcoming Events:

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New Student Orientation

FAQ's

Students must have completed 30 credits of college level coursework since graduating high school.

All students must complete a self-directed virtual orientation at a cost of $35. In addition, students may opt into a live virtual or in-person orientation at no extra cost. Students must still complete the self-directed virtual orientation course whether they join in-person or through the live-virtual session.

The self-directed virtual orientation will take around 2 hours to complete. The live virtual orientation and in-person sessions are around 4 hours long.

No, it is optional. Only the self-directed virtual orientation is mandatory.

Students can access the self-directed virtual orientation at https://canvas.fau.edu one hour after making payment. Students must achieve a score of 100% on all quizzes to satisfy the orientation requirement.

No, academic advising is separate from orientation. Students should schedule an appointment with a College based academic advisor through Starfish. Full instructions are given in the advising module in the Owldone portal https://owldone.fau.edu

This depends on whether a student has already met with an academic advisor for their new student advising appointments.

If they have completed this step, then students should contact an advisor in the college of their intended new major.
If students have not yet attended their new student advising appointment, they should contact the Transfer Student Services Advising Coordinator by emailing transfer@fau.edu. This staff member is also available to talk to students who have not yet declared a major to explore options.

Advising

Advising is critical to the success of new transfer students and must be arranged separately from orientation. Please refer to the advising module within https://owldone.fau.edu for instructions on how to make an advising appointment. Advising is offered over the phone or by video conferencing.

The goals of advising are:

  1. Understand the requirements of your major.
  2. Develop an understanding of university policies.
  3. Form a relationship with your advisor.

College Advising (CA) Hold

This hold will be removed by your academic advising advisor after your new student advising appointment.

Transfer Orientation Checklist

Please refer to your Owldone portal: https://owldone.fau.edu

Transfer SOAR Dates

At a minimum, all incoming students will need to complete the Transfer Self-Directed Virtual Orientation through Canvas. In addition to the Canvas course, Transfer students can opt into an Orientation Day Experience (live virtual or in-person session).

Summer & Fall 2026

  • Monday, May 11, 2026 - Davie Campus
  • Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - Boca Campus - SOLD OUT
  • Monday, August 3, 2026 - Boca Campus
  • Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - Davie Campus
  • Thursday, August 13, 2026 - Boca Campus

Click here to view Financial Aid student requirements

Family

At FAU, “family” is defined as anyone our students feel impacts their lives, through trust, love, and support. Adult family members who are interested in attending SOAR with their students are strongly encouraged to do so.

Family SOAR provides an opportunity to see and learn about FAU in a deeper way and make connections with university staff and other families. It also provides families with the tools to be of support to their new FAU student(s).

For a fee of $50, transfer family members can receive access to their own self-directed virtual orientation, and will receive their in-person session schedule, which includes a presentation with the Family Engagement Team.

How to Place your Orientation Reservation

Transfer Orientation Reservation Walkthrough



1. Log in to FAU Student Onboarding Portal (owldone.fau.edu) portal using your FAUNet ID and password. If you do not know your FAUNet ID, click "Claim NetID".

FAU Student Onboarding Portal

2. Navigate to the module titled "SOAR" to be directed to the orientation reservation system.

3. Complete the entire reservation system following through the pages on the left. The session dates that appear on your account show available sessions for your campus, major, and student type. If a particular session does not appear, it is likely full or not available for your major or campus. If NO dates appear, then please go back and confirm your campus and major.

4. At the end of My Reservation, you must submit payment for your orientation reservation. Please submit your orientation fee payment in order to reserve your spot. If a session fills before you submit your payment, you must return to the "Dates" page and select another orientation session. For your convenience, do not make travel arrangements until you have received your confirmation email.

5. Once payment is received, you will receive confirmation emails to your FAU email account. Please refer to those emails for further details on your orientation session.

Freshman Orientation Checklist

Freshman Students and Transfer Students with 1-29 College Credits

Before starting class your first semester, there are quite a few items on your To-Do list. No worries-- New Student Orientation is here to help. We've put together this handy list for you to know the right steps before, during, and after your orientation session. Many of these items are required, so follow this timeline closely.

Before Attending Orientation

**Items marked with an asterisk are REQUIRED before attending orientation. If you do not have these items completed, you will need to reschedule your orientation session.

Submit your  Tuition Deposit  to Undergraduate Admissions.**

Freshman Deadline Spring: September 15

Freshman Transfer Deadline Spring: November 30

Freshman Deadline Summer and Fall:
May 1

Freshman Transfer Deadline Summer:
May 1

Freshman Transfer Deadline Fall:
August 1

Select your Orientation session date, and make your reservation.**

Complete the Orientation Reservation form through  the  owldone  portal.  Once you submit your orientation fee, your reservation is confirmed, and your orientation hold is removed. For step-by-step instructions follow this  link.

Spring: Opened

Summer/Fall: December  1

Complete  Immunization Form  and submit to Student Health Services. **

This form must be submitted as soon as possible. A hold is placed on your account, and prevent you from registering from classes until you submit these records.

Deadline:
ASAP

Complete Online Advising

Online academic advising process will NOT register you for your courses, you must register for your courses on your own once approved by an Academic Advisor.  If you have questions about online advising, please contact University Advising Services at 561-297-3064.

Spring Opens: November 5

Summer/Fall Opens:
March 12

Complete Major KnOWLedge
Major KnOWLedge, fau.kuder.com/landing-page, is an online resource developed by career counselors at the FAU Career Center that helps FAU students identify personal interests and their relationships to FAU majors as well as occupations. If you have any questions about Major KnOWLedge, please contact the FAU Career Center at 561-297-3533 or  career@fau.edu.

Deadline:
ASAP

Register for your classes through MyFAU Self-Service.**

Once you have completed your orientation reservation, OARS, and submitted your Immunization records, you should be ready to register for classes. Check your MyFAU account for any other holds that may prevent you from registration. Your exact registration time and day will depend on how many credits you have earned. Registration dates are subject to change, please refer to the  Registrar website  for updated information on course registration. Register for your classes as soon as possible to get the best selection for class seats. For assistance registering for classes, view the  Registration Tutorial!

Spring Opens: November 12

Summer/Fall Opens:
May 16

Apply for  Financial Aid  by completing the FAFSA.

The Office of Financial Aid can help you begin applying for scholarships, grants, and loans. Check your Financial Aid package status on MyFAU Self-Service, or contact your financial aid counselor for more information.

Deadline:
ASAP

Apply for  On-Campus Housing  and preference your residence hall.**

All incoming new students who live further than 30 miles from the Boca Raton campus are required to live on campus for the first year. Complete your application and non-refundable application fee early so you are more likely to receive your top preference(s).

Spring Deadline:
ASAP

Summer/Fall Opens: Dec. 1

Complete your  Residency Form  through Undergraduate Admissions.

Are you a Florida resident seeking in-state tuition? Then you will want to complete this form to receive in-state tuition rates.

Deadline:
ASAP