Incoming Transfer Student Official Welcome to Lafayette College

Congratulations! You are now officially a Lafayette Leopard! As a new transfer student you are a member of a small, but accomplished group that consistently makes meaningful contributions to our campus. We are excited that you have decided to join us! 

On behalf of the entire Office of Advising and Co-curricular programs department, it is our privilege to welcome you to the Lafayette community!

My name is Dr. Chris Selena (selenac@lafayette.edu) and I will serve as your class dean for your first semester at Lafayette. We will work together to accomplish 3 important goals that are integral to a successful transition. They are: 

• Determine how the credits that you earned at your previous institution will fit into your chosen major(s) within the Lafayette curriculum 
• Establish your first semester class schedule
• Assign a faculty academic advisor who will help guide you through your transition

In addition there are a number of tasks that will need to be completed prior to your arrival on campus for New Student Orientation which will begin on Friday, August 26th. You can find the semester start and end dates through the Spring 2026 semester  (and also make sure that you are aware of other important dates) by reviewing the  Academic Calendar 2022-2023.

The First Year Student Landing Page contains specific details regarding the information that is summarized within this message. There, you will find information about: 

• New Student Orientation, 
• Links to Guide your Exploration and Selection of your Major(s), 
• Resources for Academic Course Discovery and Selection, 
• Housing and Meal plan information, 
• Details regarding other documents and forms that must be completed prior to arrival.

Also, keep in mind that you can continue to use the Lafayette Landing portal to connect with members of the Lafayette community and stay abreast of upcoming events.

In addition, please be sure to follow our Advising site on Instagram (lafadvising) and follow us on Twitter (LafayetteAdvising); our social media sites can serve as great repositories for new information over your next four years. 

Please do not hesitate to address the following time-sensitive tasks!

• CONFIRM INFOrMATION CONTAINED IN YOUR LAFAYETTE ACCOUNT
• Log in to your Banner Self-Service Account: https://bannerselfservice.lafayette.edu and access the ‘Personal Information’ tab
• Enter your preferred name and emergency contact information. ( Preferred First Name Policy)
• INITIATE TRANSFER COURSE EVALUATION AND FALL COURSE  SELECTION 

Please make sure to forward final official transcripts (and supporting materials as outlined below) from all institutions from which you have completed college coursework to the Lafayette College Registrar’s Office

• Lafayette reviews each transfer credit individually by the appropriate department head or program coordinator. If a transfer course is determined to be equivalent to a course within Lafayette’s curriculum, students will receive credit for the Lafayette equivalent.  To facilitate this process students should provide the syllabus for each course that lists the required textbooks as well as the intended student learning outcomes. Depending on the schedule of each department, this process can take several weeks. Please prioritize this step to ensure that we are able to accurately determine the appropriate courses for your first semester at Lafayette. For more information on the criteria used to evaluate transfer credits, please review the policy here.
• As courses are approved for transfer, your Lafayette degree audit will be updated to reflect the specific requirements your transfer credits fulfill. You can find more information about using your degree audit here: Degreeworks. 
• Transcripts may be sent electronically to registrar@lafayette.edu  (preferred method) or via hard copy to the following address: Lafayette College Registrar ℅ Office of the Provost, 219 Markle Hall, Easton, PA 18042-1768 
• FALL COURSE  SELECTION 

Course Selection Advising-Unlike the process used to establish schedules for the members of our freshmen class, course selection and registration for transfers is an individualized process from the onset. This is necessary because as a transfer student, it is not only important to consider your overall expectations for the type of academic and co-curricular experience you desire, but also to assess how your transfer credits will fit within your new curriculum. Therefore, you will work closely with my colleagues and I to ensure that your course decisions are given the special attention that they need to put you on a firm path towards graduation. Unlike first-time students, transfer students do not need to wait for the Registrar’s Office to build your schedules so we can begin building your Fall 2022 schedule as soon as your incoming transfer credits are finalized. In order to prepare for this meeting, please review the following information, then contact my office to set up an appointment. 

• Review the Programs and Majors that are offered at Lafayette and consider the required courses for each major and degree
• Review the Course Selection Resources:  Common Course of Study, Policy on AP & IB credits, and Resources on the Registrar’s page
• Review the Placement Exam Details to determine whether you need to take placement exams prior to Course Selection
  • Questions regarding Math Placement may be directed to Professor Justin Corvino
  • Questions regarding Foreign Language Placement may be directed to Professor Amauri Gutiérrez-Coto
  • Questions regarding Chemistry Placement may be directed to Professor Chip Nataro
• Call 610-330-5080 or email deanofadvising@lafayette.edu to schedule an appointment – this can be by phone, Zoom or in person. 

COMPLETE OTHER REQUIRED STEPS/PAPERWORK

• JULY 1 Housing Application through your MyHousing dashboard
• JULY 1 Dietary Information is also available through your MyHousing dashboard
• JULY 1 Use LEOPARDLINK to set up Parent & Family communications from Lafayette.
• Beginning JULY 1 – AUGUST 20, upload a photo for your Lafayette ID
• JULY 15 Complete all required Bailey Health Center forms
• JULY 15 Register for Disability Accommodations (if applicable)
• AUGUST 1 Submit your name recording
• AUGUST 8 Tuition Payment Due
• AUGUST 22 Complete the Student Awareness Training
• Update Lafayette of your Preferred First Name

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING ONLY AS THEY PERTAIN TO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

• ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES & DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Accessibility Services is committed to ensuring equal access and participation in College-sponsored programs by fostering an accessible learning environment and providing comprehensive, professional services for students.

Students who experience a disability that requires accommodations should self-identify to Accessibility Services by following the steps on the department’s Getting Started page. with declaring your disability and requesting reasonable accommodations and related services. 

Students who experience significant or severe medical conditions that do not rise to the level of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, yet still require consideration, should note this condition, as well as any specific needs that this medical condition necessitates, within their medical history forms to be submitted to Bailey Health Center. 

•  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

If you are planning to volunteer with children or elderly populations at any point during the academic year, please begin the process of securing your background clearances as soon as possible.

You will need:

• PA Criminal History Record Check
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance
• FBI fingerprint

Please visit the Landis Center for Community Engagement for more information 

A succint checklist of what you need to do is located here! 

 

Dr. Chris Selena

Associate Dean of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs and Director, Aademic Resource Hub

Sophomore Class Dean