Incoming Transfer Student Information

Welcome to the Transfer Experience!

Geneseo is a residential college with a compassionate Residence Life staff that values belonging and searches for ways to highlight Transfer Students and the many attributes they contribute to the campus community. Transfer Students come to Geneseo already having a college experience that is rich and diverse. At Geneseo, we honor this and hope to have these perspectives shared widely in the residence halls. In addition, it is important to make sure that our Transfer Students are able to transition to Geneseo smoothly and have the best information to set them up for success. 

This page is designed to assist you, our Transfer Students, in knowing your requirements, your options, and your opportunities each step of the way!

Our general Prospective Student Information page is also relevant to Transfer Students.

Pre Acceptance Information

Where do incoming students live?

Incoming transfer students live throughout the residential campus (North, Central, and South Villages) and all areas provide a variety of offerings. Most students live in double rooms in corridor communities and about half of our incoming students live in LLCs! We do have a number of single rooms available for admitted transfer students who deposit and apply for housing early. A waiting list for single rooms is available when the area becomes full. Transfer students are typically living in our upper level student areas. If you have a special request, you can let us know. Consideration for the age of incoming students is a priority.  Therefore, age is prioritized over credits earned when assigning transfer students to their housing assignment.  

A Living Learning Community, or LLC, is a floor or building where students with similar academic or personal interests, hobbies, or identities come together to live. A few LLCs involve courses while others have specialized programming. LLCs are great options for students who want to live near or around others with a similar identity or affinity. Living in an LLC can be a great way to meet people, get involved, find a passion area, and make memories. 

If you want to live with other transfer students, there is also a Transfer Student Experience LLC with student staff members (Transfer Student Mentors) focused on creating a positive living environment geared toward supporting and connecting community members.

For more information on LLCs please see our website here.

How do roommates work?

While there are a small number of students who identify a specific person they would like to live with, most of incoming students are assigned to a room with a roommate by Residence Life. Our housing software system asks basic lifestyle questions that are used to match roommates. The questions are about cleanliness, guests, and other lifestyle preferences. The number one predictor of success in a roommate group is the willingness to communicate and compromise.

Though rare, some transfer students already know another incoming student or a current student with whom they would like to live. This information can be included in the housing application. 

Transfer students are not automatically matched with other transfer students as that is not everyone's preference. For those who wish to live with other Transfers, the Transfer Student Experience LLC is a great option.

What is the Residency Requirement

SUNY Geneseo requires all fall transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, to live on campus for two full academic years (four semesters). Spring transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, must live on campus for the remainder of that academic year (spring) and the following academic year. 

The residency requirement and the housing contract are different. Housing contracts are for the entire academic year, regardless of the residency requirement status. Once a student has filled out the housing application, they are agreeing to living on campus in a residence hall for the entire academic year. SUNY Geneseo guarantees housing for all undergraduates. Students should be sure they want to live on campus before submitting an application if they are not residency required, as that submission does create a binding contract.

Once a student has filled out the housing application, they are agreeing to a full year contract. 

For more information on residency requirements, housing confirmations, and waivers/releases from housing, please visit the website here.

Deposited Student Information

After depositing and setting up your My Geneseo account, you will have access to our Symplicity Housing Portal. The application is available for Spring admits November 1 and for Fall admits March 1.

More information on setting up a roommate group, submitting a housing application, and locating new student housing information can be found here. Some transfer specific FAQ information can be found below.

Are there different options available to Spring Transfers than to Fall Transfers?

Only in that we are limited on options in the Spring. Most of our spaces in the spring will be where students are leaving housing after the fall semester (early graduates, study abroad, student teaching, etc.). This means that we may have less availability in popular housing choices or LLCs. As always, we recommend depositing and applying for housing as early as possible for the best chance at getting your preferences.

I am transferring in for Fall. Can I participate in Housing Selection?

Only current returning students can participate in the April Housing Selection Process. We place our incoming transfer students along with our incoming freshmen over the summer in deposit/application order. 

I want to live with a current Geneseo student, how can I do that?

There is a location on your housing application for that information. The Roommates tab only allows you to preference another incoming student with the same application as you. To request a current returning student you will need to input their information in the correct question on your application. This will also be dependent on if they have an available space in their room or unit when we go to place you. If they do not, we are not able to remove someone else from their assignment to place you there. If we are unable to place you together during placement, you are welcome to request a room change during the open room change process.

How do I live with another transfer student?

The Transfer Student Experience LLC is a great option for those wanting to live with another transfer student on a transfer floor. These floors are usually in upper level housing so there is still plenty of opportunity to meet other current upper level students but this floor also has special Transfer RAs and programming designed to assist in your transition. This is usually suite style housing with is popular with our upper level students.

I didn't initially think I wanted to live on campus but now I do - how do I do that?

We guarantee housing for our undergraduate students so we always encourage students who are not residency required to live on campus to be sure they want to live on before signing a housing contract. If you initially thought you wanted to live off campus but now want to live on campus or even if you were living off campus and want to live on campus the following semester just reach out to us and we will make a contract available for you to sign and make a placement for you.