JMU - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs - Prospective Students

When is the transfer admission application deadline?

JMU accepts transfer applications for all three academic terms. Application deadlines are as follows:

Summer Session: January 15

Fall Semester: March 1

Spring Semester: October 15*

*Please note that JMU offers spring admission to a limited number of students (roughly 30-60) with priority given to those who have completed an associate degree or have at least 48 college credits earned.

How can I apply to transfer to JMU?

Visit the following Admissions Office website for comprehensive information on application requirements and link to the online application. Click here to apply.

What is the transfer admission application fee?

Currently, the transfer admission application fee is $40. This fee is non-refundable and will not be credited to your account.

I'm taking courses at a VCCS institution. How can I find out how my courses will transfer to JMU?

JMU has already evaluated courses taught at VCCS institutions and determined how they will transfer to JMU. For a complete list of VCCS-JMU course equivalents, click here.

I'm taking courses at a Richard Bland College (RBC). How can I find out how my courses will transfer to JMU?

For a complete list of RBC-JMU course equivalents, click here.

Where can I find the JMU course catalog?

Current and past JMU course catalogs can be viewed online. Click here to access the JMU course catalog.

I'm an international student interested in transferring to JMU. Where can I find more information?

Information on the international student admission process can be found here For additional support, prospective international students are also encouraged to visit International Student and Scholar Services online here.

FAQs - Admitted/Incoming Students

I just received my JMU admission packet. What should I do next?

You should read your ENTIRE admission letter! It gives you very specific instructions on what you need to do next. In addition to your admission letter, your admission packet contains your invoice, Transfer One Book, and health record form. Read them and follow the instructions accordingly. These steps are essential to transferring to JMU.

I plan to attend JMU. When do I need to pay my deposit?

The invoice you received in your admission packet will specify your deposit deadline. Please note that your deposit deadline may be different from other students admitted for the same term. Pay your deposit by the deadline listed on your deadline. Failing to do so may lead to your admission offer being cancelled.

What is a transfer credit evaluation?

JMU produces a transfer credit evaluation for each admitted transfer student. The transfer credit evaluation shows how each class you have completed will transfer to JMU. If you are in the process of completing courses, it will tell you how those courses will likely transfer to JMU.

Please note only courses for which grades of "C" or above will be evaluated for transfer. JMU will not accept courses with a grade of "C-" or below.

When will I receive my transfer credit evaluation?

You should receive your transfer credit evaluation in the mail approximately 3 weeks after you receive your transfer admission packet. Your evaluation will be mailed to the address you listed on your transfer admission application.

It's been three weeks or more since I received my admission packet and I still haven't received my transfer credit evaluation. What should I do?

If it has been three or more weeks since you received your admission packet and you have not received your evaluation, please contact the University Registrar's Office at (540) 568-6281.

What should I do between now and transfer orientation?

If you are currently enrolled in courses at another institution, make sure you continue to do well in your courses. Remember, your admission to JMU is contingent of successful completion in the courses in which you are currently enrolled!

Also, make an appointment with your physician to have your health record form completed. Your health record form needs to be on file before you attend transfer orientation.

When are transfer orientation programs offered?

Fall semester transfer admits need to attend one of four Transfer Summer Springboard dates at the beginning of June. Unfortunately, we do not offer a "make-up" session.

Spring semester transfer admits need to attend transfer orientation during the first week of December, prior to the beginning of the spring semester in January.

What is Transfer Summer Springboard?

Transfer Summer Springboard is our one-day orientation program specifically designed to address the academic and social needs of new transfer students.

Am I required to attend Transfer Summer Springboard?

We strongly recommend you attend Transfer Summer Springboard (TSS). Besides meeting our wonderful orientation staff and learning about JMU resources that will be instrumental in your transition, this is the day that you will meet with your academic adviser and register for your first semester courses.

Please consider the consequences before you decide not to attend TSS. The consequences are as follows:

The $150 orientation fee will still be charged to your student account;
You will not be able to register for your first semester of classes until the third week of July, after all current JMU students, incoming transfers, and incoming first-year students have registered;
You will be responsible for contacting and scheduling an appointment with your academic adviser. Due to summer school and vacation schedules, many faculty advisers begin vacation in late July and usually do not return until the week before course begin.

What should I do if I can't attend the Transfer Summer Springboard?

You should still complete all the steps on the Transfer One Book Web site. When you complete the "Orientation Reservation" step, please be sure the check the "unable to attend" box and indicate a reason why in the comments box.

When will the Transfer One Book Web site be available?

Since JMU admits transfer students for all academic semesters, we have developed a Transfer One Book website for each semester. Note that the steps for each term are different. Please click on the link for the semester which you have been admitted and complete the steps. Visit www.jmu.edu/orientation/transfer for more information.

The following is the availability timeline:

Fall admits Early April
Spring Early November
Summer Early March

Where should I mail my final transcripts?

All final transcripts should be mailed to:

JMU Admissions Office

MSC 0101

Harrisonburg, VA 22807

What is Transfer 1787 (T1787) August Orientation?

T1787 is our fall welcome program for transfer students admitted for the fall semester.

When is T1787?

Transfer 1787 begins the Friday before the first day of the fall semester and goes through Sunday. You'll receive information throughout the summer from your ANT. You can also click on the Attend Transfer 1787 August Orientation link on the Transfer One Book Web site.

How important is it that I attend T1787?

Getting acclimated to a new environment is so much easier when you're among others in the same situation. Transfer Summer Springboard was all about helping you get registered for your first semester courses, but there's so much we need to tell you about. During this time you will have the opportunity to reconnect with your ANT (that you met at TSS this summer). They will help you with any adjustments you need to make to your course schedule, and take you on a tour around campus and inside classroom buildings. You will meet other new transfer students, so if you're looking to make some new friends you don't want to miss this. Oh, and did we mention that there's plenty of FREE food?!

Come on out! Your ANTS would like to see you again and you can meet new friends. Besides, you've already paid for your attendance; it is included in your orientation fee.

Why is there such limited availability of on-campus housing for transfer students?

The university gives on-campus housing priority to freshman students and rising sophomores. Transfer students may apply for on-campus housing, but will be placed on the waitlist. If space becomes available, you will be notified by the Office of Residence Life.

How do I find out about off-campus housing?

The office of Off Campus Life (OCL) offers some wonderful services to assist you in securing off-campus housing. OCL can connect you with local apartment communities and help you find one that best suits your living style. In addition, they offer tenant-landlord mediation services and the Utility Deposit Assistance Program (UDAP). Click here to visit OCL online.

I'm an international transfer student and have been admitted to JMU. What is my orientation process?

If you are in the United States in early June, you should plan to attend Transfer Summer Springboard. However, we recognize that you may not be able to make it to Transfer Summer Springboard. In that case, you should follow the instructions you receive from International Student and Scholar Services. You will also be required to attend Transitions a two-day educational orientation program for international students which will include information on immigration regulations, health care and insurance, classroom and academic issues, safety, transportation, and information about resources and programs for internationals.

FAQs - Currently Enrolled Students

How do I find out about student organizations and get involved on campus?

Getting involved in campus organizations is easy! At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, the Office of Student Activities and Involvement hosts "Student Org Night". Representatives from JMU's 300+ student organizations are present to answer your questions, help you learn more about their organization, and tell you how to join. Can't find an organization that you're interested in? Create one! It's really pretty easy, so you have no excuse not to get involved. To learn more, visit Office of Student Activities and Involvement online.

How do I change my major?

Students who would like to change their major should obtain a Change or Declaration of Major Form from the Office of the Registrar or Madison Transfer. Students must take this form to the head of the academic unit they wish to enter for approval.

I received "000" credit on my transfer credit evaluation. I'm sure it counts for a specific JMU course. How can I appeal the credit?

First you need to gather a little information. You will need your course description, but a syllabus would be most helpful for each course you want to appeal for credit. Look through the JMU course catalog to find a JMU course which most closely matches the course you want to appeal. After you have gathered the necessary information, contact the appropriate office according to the information below.

To appeal for General Education Credit

Contact Dr. Herb Amato in the General Education department. Dr. Amato can be reached by email at amatohk@jmu.edu.

To appeal for credit in a specific major

Contact the academic department in which you would like to receive credit. For instance, if you want to appeal "000" credit to count toward an English course, you should contact the English Department directly.

I'm interested in getting a meal plan. Where can I find more information?

JMU Dining Services offers residential and commuter meal plans. If you are living off campus, you can pick from seven different commuter meal plans. All meal plans come with Dining Dollars. In addition, you can add Dining Dollars Gold and FLEX to your account to get extra food tax savings. Click here to learn more about meal plans.

Where can I find a list of campus dining locations?

JMU offers 18 dining locations! To see a full listing and hours of operation, visit the Dining Services Web site and click on the "locations" tab at the top of the page.

How can I add money to my FLEX account?

You can add money to your FLEX account online or in person. To add money to your account in person, visit the Card Services office located on the third floor of Warren Hall. To learn how to add money to your account online, click here.

Can I use my FLEX off campus at local Harrisonburg retailers?

YES! There are almost 100 Harrisonburg retailers that accept FLEX for payment of goods and services. Click here to download the PDF file with a complete list of retailers.

Where can I find the Harrisonburg Transit bus schedules?

If you live off-campus, Harrisonburg Transit will come in handy. The bus schedule is aligned with the JMU class schedule and is free to all JMU students with a JACard. To view or download copies of the bus schedule, visit HDPT online or pick one up in Madison Transfer.

Where's the post office on campus?

The campus post office is located on the second floor of Warren Hall. Click here for a list of services and hours of operation.