Transfer Student Checklist

Step One:

• Advisement and Registration

  Set up an appointment with an academic advisor to schedule your courses. Please refer to your acceptance packet or email for the academic College you were accepted.

  • Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, & Education: https://ysu.edu/academics/beeghly-college-liberal-arts-social-sciences-education/bclasse-advisement

    
    

    • Exploratory/Undecided: Call the Office of Career Exploration & Development 330-941-3515

  • Bitonte College of Health & Human Services: https://academics.ysu.edu/bitonte-college-of-health-and-human-services/bchhs-academic-advising

  • Cliffe College of Creative Arts: https://academics.ysu.edu/cliffe-college-of-creative-arts/advising-student-success

  • College of Science Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics: https://ysu.edu/academics/science-technology-engineering-mathematics/professional-services/stem-academic-advising

  • Williamson College of Business Administration: https://ysu.edu/academics/williamson-college-business-administration/advisement

  Please note: Placement tests are not always required for transfer students. Please check with your advisor if they are needed

Step Two:

• Transfer Student Orientation

  Transfer Student Orientation (TSO) is not required for all transfer student, but highly recommended. Transfer students can either complete the TSO online or in person through the First Year Student Services Office. Please refer to your acceptance letter to see if TSO is required for you.

  • Register for TSO online through logging into the Penguin Portal, penguinportal.ysu.edu
  • Students who are conditionally admitted will be contacted by the Resch Academic Success Center the week before classes start to sign a contract. Please make sure you are returning their call if you receive a message or contact them by the Friday before the semester starts.

  The Office of Career Exploration & Development assists any student who is exploring and undecided in their major at YSU. For assistance in choosing a major please reach out at the contact below and set up an appointment.

  Career Exploration & Development | Jones Hall | 330-941-3515 | https://ysu.edu/office-career-exploration-development

  First Year Student Services | Jones Hall | 330-941-2131 | https://ysu.edu/first-year-student-services

  Resch Academic Success Center | Kilcawley Center | 330-941-3538 | https://ysu.edu/resch-academic-success-center

Step Three:

• Transfer Course Evaluation

  Please make sure you check to see if your courses are entered to your record prior to making your advising appointment. Your academic advisor will assist you on how your transfer credits apply to your degree at YSU.

  1. Log into the Penguin Portal
  2. Look for the “Academic Records” tile
  3. Select "View Academic Transcript" to see your transfer courses listed.
     1. Select “All Levels” under Transcript Level
     2. Select “Unofficial” under Transcript Type

  You will then be able to see the transfer courses listed on your unofficial YSU transcript by institution and term attended under "Transfer Credit Accepted by Institution".

Step Four:

• PenguinPASS (Plan for Academic Student Success), Degree Audit System

  PenguinPASS is a system designed to help you understand your academic progress and requirements for your program of study. It does not replace meeting with your advisor to plan and formulate a schedule for progress toward your degree. PenguinPASS produces an audit of your completed work, requirements, and in progress courses based on your declared major, minor, and/or program and catalog year. Reports from this system are developed from the YSU Course Catalog. Audit worksheets cannot be used as an official transcript.

  PenguinPASS provides Youngstown State University students a visual checklist of courses and objectives required for graduation, including major requirements, major electives, capstone as well as each general education curriculum (Gen Ed.) requirement. Please confirm what you see on the worksheet with your academic advisor.

  Please visit www.ysu.edu/penguinpass for the student instruction guide and video tour.

  *Please note as transfer courses are evaluated they will appear on your PenguinPASS audit and unofficial YSU transcript.

Step Five:

• Last Preparation Steps

  Once you have met with your advisor and scheduled courses, make sure you take care of these final steps prior to attending classes!

  • Housing
    • Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus at Youngstown State University. Please visit www.ysu.edu/student-life and scroll to the Housing section to access information regarding the Housing and Residence Life Office and on- and off-campus housing options. Office of Housing and Residence Life | Kilcawley House | 330-941-3547
  • Dining Options and Meal Plans (optional for commuter students)
    • Choose your Meal Plan (resident and commuter options available) found on the Dining Services Website | 330-941-2513
  • Parking Pass
    • Sign up for your parking pass in the Penguin Portal
    • Under "e-Services for Students" area you can click "Request Parking Pass" and it will be mailed to you. Please visit www.ysu.edu/parking | 330-941-3546
  • YSU Y (id) Card
    • Get your picture taken at Guest Services located on the 2nd floor in Kilcawley Center or upload a photo on the Y Card management website; ycard.ysu.edu | 330-941-2513
  • Books and Supplies
    • All your Youngstown State University supplies, books and other merchandise can be purchased through the Youngstown State University Bookstore
    • www.ysubookstore.com | 330-941-3331
  • Register with Accessibility Services (if needed)
    • Please visit www.ysu.edu/academic-success-center/accessibility-services for more information.
  • Download the YSU App
    • Please visit www.ysu.edu/student-affairs/ysu-app-purpose-and-guidelines for more information.
    • Available both in the Apple and Google Play Stores.