Returning to school after a month-long break can be a difficult adjustment for any student, but the adjustment to Saint Mary's is much more harrowing for new spring transfer students.
With this challenge in mind, Saint Mary's tries to smooth the transition for transfers by providing an orientation with tours and other activities through the Office of Student Activities.
Transfer students are also assisted in finding housing by Residence Life and in registering for classes by Academic Affairs.
"Typically, they follow same processes for housing and registering as any student first coming to the College," said Michelle Russell, director of Residence Life.
In the search for housing, transfer students are treated the same as students returning from studies abroad, Russell said. Students fill out a housing preference form and are then matched with roommates based on their preferences, as well as their year in school and their age, and what rooms are available, she said.
"We did have some problems this semester because there were no doubles available," Russell said. "When something like that happens, we look at what is available and place students where we can."
There are 12 students who have transferred to Saint Mary's so far, the registrar said, though that number could rise.
Students still have the opportunity to decide to transfer to Saint Mary's throughout this week, Russell said.
"We won't be sure of the final number of transfer students until enrollment ends on Sunday," she said. "Until enrollment ends, there is still the possibility that more students may decide to come here."
