About First Year Orientation
The UMW Orientation Team is so excited to welcome you to campus! Orientation is a mandatory experience for new students entering the university. First-year students will attend a two-day, overnight program in the summer to acquaint them with campus and help to create strong bonds with other incoming Eagles. The official schedule for 2026 First-Year Orientation will be released via this website in mid-May, and all students and guests will receive a print copy on the day of their orientation program.
*Please note: Orientation schedules are subject to change. You will receive an up-to-date and descriptive schedule upon Orientation Check-In and more details will be posted to this site during the summer.
During orientation, incoming students will be introduced to an orientation leader (OL) who will guide them through their next steps. The OLs will introduce them to aspects of campus, academics, and resources available to them as they transition to academic and student life at UMW, and generally start to become acquainted with activities that they can be involved in at UMW.
There is no upfront cost for students for the Orientation program as it will be billed to your account. We encourage guests to register for Orientation to get to know UMW better alongside your student! If you would like to learn more about the family and guest portion of orientation, please click here.
Orientation dates for Summer 2026 can be found below:
- Session 1: June 10-11
- Session 2: June 15-16
- Session 3: June 17-18
- Session 4: June 23-24
- Session 5: June 25-26
Registration for Summer 2026 Orientation will open on March 10, 2026.
Please find a screen reader accessible version of the First-Year Orientation Schedule below:
This schedule is subject to change. All Students and Guests will get a copy of the schedule at check-in in June.
Day 1 (Students):
7:30-9 AM Student and Guest Check-In
9-9:30 AM Welcome and Schedule Overview
9:30-10 AM The Partnership Begins – First Year Experience
10-10:10 AM The Students Depart
10:30-11:25 AM Student Success Workshops
11:25 AM-12 OL Time/Travel to UC for Lunch
12-12:45 PM Lunch with OL Groups
1:15-1:40 PM Summer Homework
1:50-2:30 PM Rejoin Guests & Academic Expectations
2:40-3:10 PM Residential Life and Off-Campus Student Breakout Sessions
3:15-5:05 PM Concurrent Sessions: Three rounds of sessions across campus that include sessions on the College of Business, College of Education, Internships, Getting Involved, Athletics, Money Talks, Disability Resources, the Honors Program, Study Abroad and more!
5:15-6:15 PM Dinner, Fourth Floor Dining at the CRUC
6:15 PM Meet up with OLs
6:15-10 PM Evening Activities: Students have time with their OL, watch skits about life at Mary Wash, and get to choose an adventure around camps.
Day 1 (Guests):
7:30-9 AM Student and Guest Check-In
9-9:30 AM Welcome and Schedule Overview
9:30-10 AM The Partnership Begins – First Year Experience
10-10:10 AM The Students Depart
10:15-11:15 AM Parent Roadmap
11:15-11:45 AM Campus Safety
11:45 AM-12 Travel to UC for Lunch
12-12:45 PM Lunch, Fourth Floor Dining at the UC
1-1:15 PM Travel Time
1:15-1:40 PM Summer Homework
1:50-2:30 PM Students Return &Academic Expectations
2:40-3:10 PM Residential Life and Off-Campus Student Breakout Sessions
3:15-5:05 PM Concurrent Sessions: Three rounds of sessions across campus that include sessions on the College of Business, College of Education, Internships, Getting Involved, Money Talks, Disability Resources, the Honors Program, Study Abroad and more!
5:15-6:15 PM Dinner, Fourth Floor Dining at the UC
6:15 PM Guest Reception
Day 2 (Students):
7-7:30 AM Check-Out of Residence Halls
7:30-7:45 AM Travel to UC, bring luggage to Colonnade Room
7:45-9 AM Breakfast w/ Student Panel
9:15-12 PM Advising Prep, Introduction to Canvas
12 PM Wrap up with OL Group
12 PM Meet up with Guests
Day 2 (Guests):
8-9 AM Campus Resource Fair
9:30-11:45 AM First-Year Fundamentals: Parents and Families won’t want to miss this essential session to find out what to expect in their students’ first-year and how best to support them. Consistently ranked the most important and helpful session by our parent and guest attendees, come spend the morning with UMW’s best and get everything you need to help make your student’s first-year a success!
12 Meet up with Students