Franklin & Marshall College

What advising programs are available to transfers?
When will I meet with my academic adviser?
How do I find out more about a particular academic department?
What previous academic work will transfer to the college?
How will I find out which of the credits transferred from my former college/university?
Can AP or IB exam scores be considered as transfer credits?
Can I make changes to my schedule?
How many courses must I complete at F&M in order to receive a degree from F&M?
What are F&M's graduation requirements?
What do I need to know about the F&M curriculum?
How do I know what Foundations and distribution requirements I need to complete?
When do I find out which courses transfer and when do I register?
What financial assistance is available to transfer students?
Is there a special orientation program for transfer students?
How is housing determined for transfer students?
What else do I need to know right now?

What advising programs are available to transfers?

Your initial academic advising will be with Dean Todd DeKay in the Office of College House Administration.  Dean DeKay will be helping you to build a schedule for the upcoming semester.  In most cases, you will be assigned to a temporary academic adviser to serve as your academic adviser up until the time you declare an academic major. If you have a heavy concentration of work in a particular field of study your Academic Advisor will most likely be a member of that department.

When will I meet with my academic adviser?

Your first meeting with that academic adviser will take place during Transfer Orientation.   You will have an opportunity to become acquainted, review your prior academic history, review your schedule, and to plan for the future.  During this appointment, you will also be able to discuss any changes to your course schedule.

How do I find out more about a particular academic department?

If you would like to know more about a particular department or professor, go to the department website. Professors are usually more than willing to answer questions, so please feel free to email them. To get to a list of department websites, go to Academic Majors and Programs.

What previous academic work will transfer to the college?

Previous academic work which has been satisfactorily completed with a grade of C- or better (2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale)  in a program of study that reasonably parallels the curriculum of Franklin & Marshall College will  be evaluated for credit. Normally, the course requirement for graduation (32 courses) will be reduced proportionately for every academic year of full-time study at other accredited institutions. Part-time course work, summer study, and unusual circumstances will be evaluated on an individual basis.  Final determination of credit and the satisfaction of distribution and language requirements will be made by the Registrar.

How will I find out which of the credits transferred from my former college/university?

You will be sent a letter from Mrs. Gwen Bleacher who works in the College’s Registrar’s Office.  The information in this letter can get a little confusing if you are not familiar with the F&M curriculum.  Dean DeKay will help you sort out your incoming transfer credits as they relate to the F&M curriculum.

Can AP or IB exam scores be considered as transfer credits?

F&M participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. A student who takes an AP examination is awarded credit if the subject material of the AP course and examination is comparable to the material covered in an elementary course offered at the College.  F&M will award AP credit for a transfer student if you a) scored a 4 or 5 on the exam, b) didn't take the same course at their first college (e.g., AP Chemistry and entry-level chemistry at the college), and c) the College receives your original Grade Report from The College Board.  AP is also an award instead of transfer credit so it will not count toward the 21 regularly-graded course for graduation.

IB is a little more complicated.  If you earned a score of 30 or more for the IB Diploma, then you will be awarded 8 F&M course credits.  If they earned a score below 30 for the IB Diploma, then you’ll be awarded credit only for subjects taken at the Higher Level with scores of 5 or higher.  If you earned an IB Certificate, then you’ll be awarded credit only for subjects taken at the Higher Level with scores of 5 or higher.  No credit will be awarded before the student brings to Mrs. Bleacher the original IB Diploma or Certificate.

Can I make changes to my schedule?

Following your advising appointment during Transfer Orientation, you will have the opportunity to make adjustments to your schedule by visiting the Registrar’s Office. In addition, all students can make course adjustments during the first two weeks of classes. Remember due to course enrollment limits, changes will not always be possible.

How many courses must I complete at F&M in order to receive a degree from F&M?

Among the academic regulations applicable to all students and of particular note to transfer applicants is the graduation requirement that at least 16 courses be taken on campus, the last 12 of which must be taken while the student is matriculated with an approved major field of concentration. The residency requirement may have implications for those transfer students wishing to study abroad.

What are F&M's graduation requirements?

The academic requirements for graduation can be summarized as follows:

Earn 32 course credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Meet all General Education Requirements by

• Passing two Foundations courses
• Completing the Distribution Requirement
  • By passing at least one course in the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences
  • By passing two courses in the natural sciences, at least one with a lab. One may be without a lab if designated as NSP (Natural Science in Perspective).
  • By satisfying the Language Studies requirement
  • By satisfying the Non-Western Cultures requirement
  • By completing the First Year Writing Requirement
• Passing an approved major field of study with grade point average of 2.00
• Earning at least 16 course credits on the Franklin & Marshall campus

What do I need to know about the F&M curriculum?

The first step is to refer to Common Academic Questions.  Questions are answered in this section regarding:

• About The Basics
• About The F&M Curriculum
• About Departments, Majors, Minors & Programs
• About First Year Seminars & The Writing Requirement
• About Mathematics
• About Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology
• About Language Studies
• About 3/2 Engineering
• About Pre-Professional Programs

Another place to check out is About the F&M Curriculum

How do I know what Foundations and distribution requirements I need to complete?

Generally speaking, if a student transfers in as a junior, then they do not have to complete the Foundations requirement.  This will be outlined by Mrs. Bleacher in her Transfer Credit evaluation letter as well as the remaining courses you will need to complete to graduate from F&M.

When do I find out which courses transfer and when do I register?

The Registrar’s Office will determine which of your previous courses will transfer and how. They will notify you of this information before it is time for you to register for classes. Transfer students register for courses before the rest of the new students begin registering in the beginning of July.

What financial assistance is available to transfer students?

The College attempts to support transfer students with a full menu of institutional financial aid awards.   In addition, transfer students are always offered federal aid dollars, and awarded state aid dollars when applicable.  If you have questions, you should contact Mr. Clarke Paine in the Financial Aid Office at 717-291-3991.

Is there a special orientation program for transfer students?

Yes.  The program is being organized by the transfer orientation staff directed by Dean Todd DeKay.  You will be hearing from us with details about the transfer orientation midway through summer.

How is housing determined for transfer students?

Transfer students are placed in one of our College Houses. Traditionally, we try to place transfers with other upperclassman. To find information regarding the residence halls on campus, please go to the Residential Programs website.  You will be notified of your residence hall room as well as your roommate(s) by mid July.

What else do I need to know right now?

We would recommend that you explore the New Student Programs site like any other incoming student.  One of the best set of questions to explore is the “DIP Frequently Asked Questions.”  Questions and answers on this page that are particularly relevant to transfers include:

• Where do I buy my books?
• What is my new Franklin & Marshall address?
• May I ship items to Franklin & Marshall prior to arriving for Orientation?
• What is my new e-mail address?
• Where can I cash a personal check?
• What if I lose my keys?
• Whom do I call in the case of an emergency?
• What other services does the Department of Public Safety provide?
• Am I allowed to bring my car?
• What about a bicycle?
• How do I rent a refrigerator?
• What kind of computer should I bring to College?
• What is a block meal plan?
• How do I get involved in the College community?
• How can I help the community?
• What is there to do in Lancaster?

Best wishes getting acquainted with your new school, Franklin & Marshall College!