As a student who has transferred colleges twice, I was not excited about orientation at my previous institution or at the University of Hartford.

Even before receiving the first-year orientation schedule this summer, I knew there would be some events I would not attend. As a rising junior, I had already gone through two years of college, so why would I attend a “here’s how to transition from high school to college!” presentation? If transfer students do not take a first-year seminar, why am I learning about it?

I also received a “UHART Class of 2026” shirt upon arrival at orientation. That’s great and all (everyone loves free things), except for the fact that I am not, in fact, a member of the class of 2026. I tried to deny the shirt, but the woman behind the table insisted I take it. Into the back of my dresser the shirt went.

All this to say, UHART should have a separate orientation for transfer students. Transfer students are non-traditional students just like international, graduate, and part-time students, which are groups UHART offers separate orientations for. An orientation experience in which incoming transfer students are together would be beneficial to them for a few reasons.

First, a transfer-only orientation would allow transfer students to receive specialized information rather than having to sit through an “introduction to being a college freshman” seminar. It would be a more effective place to have specific questions answered instead of asking freshman orientation leaders who do not know the answer and have to refer them to someone else who may not be available on-campus until the start of classes.

Second, a separate orientation would allow transfer students, who already have something in common due to the nature of their student status, to build on that connection and become acquainted immediately upon arrival to campus, which could lead to them supporting each other through their first semester and beyond. I have yet to meet another transfer student in any of my classes or extracurriculars even though, obviously, there are more than just me on campus.

Lastly, a transfer-only orientation may encourage incoming transfer students to attend all activities listed on the itinerary instead of skipping events. I know I would attend all activities if UHART (or my past college) had a transfer-only orientation. It would make transfer students feel more welcomed and less “othered.”