Transfer Student Information

Please follow these steps to ensure a smooth entry into USF and the Department of Biology

If you find it helpful, you can print out this checklist (PDF) designed for USF Biology majors.

Step 1. Apply to USF admissions. (Link #1 in the useful links box) Note: April 1 is deadline for Summer. July 1 is deadline for Fall. November 15 is deadline for Spring.

Step 2. Register for a Mandatory On Campus Orientation. (Link #2 in the useful links box) We recommend choosing the earliest date possible since transfer students cannot begin their registration at USF until they complete orientation.

Step 3. Have an appointment with your advisor PRIOR to attending orientation. Please contact our offices and schedule an appointment prior to your orientation date. There are many potential obstacles for your registration and meeting with an advisor in advance should provide you with an easier transition.

• Schedule -- We cannot offer advising by email. Our advising appointments are normally scheduled online, and the instructions are available on our BioAdvise website -use the Schedule Advising Appt link on the main menu to the left. However, you can schedule an appointment with us by calling 813.974.3250 during business hours. When you call, please have your availability and U# at hand. Although in-person appointments are recommended, you may request a phone appointment. Be sure to identify yourself as an incoming transfer student. If you wish to schedule a phone appointment, you must note in the comment section: PHONE appt - will fax transcripts 24 hours in advance, will call at time of appt. Be sure you follow the directions on this website so that the advisor can provide you with a phone appointment; otherwise you will be required to reschedule your appointment.
• Prepare
  • Prior to the appointment, be sure to submit copies of your transcripts (semester-by-semester list of classes) from previous schools, including any courses you are currently taking or are scheduled to take at another school. If you have a phone appointment, you must fax this material in advance to 813-974-2876. Be sure to include your name and U number on the faxed document. If you have an in-person appointment and cannot send the information in advance, please bring this information with you to the appointment. Without this information, the advisor will not be able to direct you properly.
  • Please review the online degree sheet to familiarize yourself with the degree requirements. Use the link to Degrees on the main navigation menu to the left and then select one of the majors from the sub-navigation menu you will see on the right of the Degree webpage. Bring any questions that you may have about the degree to the appointment.
  • If you have out-of-state or private school transfer credit in any science or math courses, you will most likely need additional assistance for course evaluation approval. This process has many steps and can take some time to complete. To start this process early, please email bioadvise@cas.usf.edu with the subject heading “New Transfer Student” and your information. We will reply to this email with further instructions. In the email please include the following information:
    • Name
    • U#
    • Name of Out-of-State or Private School
    • State of Out-of-State or Private School
    • Link to the online catalog information for the Out-of-State or Private School
    • Name and Course number for each science and math courses taken at the Out-of-State or Private School
• Attend -- Here is a link to a map of campus (PDF). Please go to the information center at the main entrance for a parking permit and directions as there is much construction and reaarangement of parking since the map was published. As this may be the first time you are coming to USF and to our location, please plan for extra travel time to navigate your way. If you schedule a phone appointment, it is your responsibility to call 813.974.3250 at the time of your scheduled appointment.You will be transferred to the advisor as soon as the previous advising appointment is complete. Please note: if you have not sent faxed your transcripts to 813.974.2876 before the appointment, the advisor cannot offer a phone appointment. You will need to reschedule your phone appointment to another day when you can submit the necessary information.

Step 4. Prepare for Registration. Since you will be allowed to register after orientation, it is important that you are prepared to do so immediately. Therefore, you will need to make sure you have submitted all admissions materials as well as are familiar with the courses that will be offered. Advisors will not register you for classes so be sure that you understand the USF registration process.

• You can find a transfer student check-list on the orientation website (Link #7 in the useful links box)
• You can visit the Orientation Technology Tutorial site for instructions to set up your USF Email account and use the USF student records and registration system called OASIS. (Link #8 in the useful links box.)
• You can also find a list of helpful links for transfer student on the College of Arts and Sciences transfer webpage. If you are considering a different major, you can find the list of CAS advisors from this page. (Link #3 in the useful links box)
• You can search for classes at USF using the online schedule search. (Link #5 in the useful links box)
• NOTE: You can find other registration information in the “Schedule of Class Narratives” including semester important dates and helpful phone numbers. The Schedule of Class Narratives is available for download from the online schedule search. See the screenshot below-the big white arrow is pointing to the link.

Step 5. Attend Mandatory On Campus Orientation If you do not attend, you will not be able to register!

• At orientation be sure that you complete and submit the declaration of major form. If you do not submit this form, you will receive an MJ registration hold which can affect your current and next semester’s registration.
• **International students should be sure to attend International Student Orientation. (Link #4 in the useful links box)

Step 6. Register for Classes (Link #6 in the useful links box) Note: Registration occurs through the first week of the semester. Students will add and drop classes constantly. If you are not able to get your perfect schedule, please continue to watch for seats to become available.