Every semester students from other colleges and universities transfer to Auburn University for various reasons, and the Auburn family is always here to welcome them with open arms.
Our transfer students program is called Successfully Orienting Students (SOS). SOS is a one day intensive orientation to Auburn University where new students learn programs, services, meeting with academic advisors, small group discussions on college life, and registration for classes. SOS provides the new students the information they need to become a successful member of the Auburn family. Since people come to Auburn from different places, ages and demographics, SOS makes an effort to place students in groups appropriate to what they filled out on their registration forms.
All transfer students are required to attend a SOS session.
Forrest Champion, a senior at Auburn University majoring in logistics transferred to Auburn from Columbus State. Champion is originally from Columbus, Ga., which is why he transferred to Auburn to move away from home.
“I enjoyed SOS because it was only one day and it gave me all the information I needed to know about being a successful student at Auburn,” Champion said.
Once a transfer student is admitted to Auburn they will then register for a SOS session online at www.auburn.edu/sos2009. The cost for attending SOS is $75 and is placed on the student's Bursar Bill. This fee includes breakfast, program materials, lunch, and a t-shirt. Parents and guests may attend SOS for a cost of $50 per person. This fee includes breakfast, program materials, and lunch.
Parents are welcome to attend the SOS orientation with their new student. There is a special program designed for parents that runs concurrently with the student program. This program teaches parents about all university programs including food services, housing, campus safety, financial information and other programs. This program also allows for any questions or concerns of parents to be answered.
All groups are led by upper class Auburn student leaders who help each student learn the information they need to become a successful Auburn student.
“I met a lot of different people through orientation and I really learned from my SOS leader, which helped make an easy transition,” Champion said.
If you are interested in becoming a SOS leader and helping transfer students then look on the official website, attend one of the informational meetings, or you can learn more by joining the SOS Facebook group.
This program is a great way to get involved on campus, help incoming students, and better your leadership and communication skills.
Transferring into a new university is not an easy thing to do, but through the help of the SOS leaders and the orientation process SOS continues to help new students have a smooth transition into the Auburn family.