Orientation programs assist new students in making a smooth transition to life at Albany, contribute to their success and retention and help to create greater satisfaction as an Albany student, in general. Students who enter the University as degree candidates will participate in a Freshman Orientation Program or a Transfer Planning Conference. Transfer Planning Conferences differ significantly from the freshman programs in length, design and content. This is primarily due to the experience transfers have had in a collegiate environment which calls for a different emphasis. It is during the program that new students meet with an academic advisor who will help her/him select appropriate coursework for the 1^st semester and register for classes.