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. You can find the First-Year Orientation Schedule from 2023 here. The official schedule for 2024 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.
First-Year Orientation Dates for Summer 2024:
June 6-7
June 10-11
June 13-14
June 17-18
June 20-21
June 24-25
You will be able to select one of these dates to attend through the registration process, which will open for Summer 2024 Orientation on March 12th.
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 AMStudent and Guest Check-In
9-9:30 AMWelcome and Schedule Overview
9:30-10 AMThe Partnership Begins – First Year Experience
10-10:10 AMThe Students Depart
10:30-11:25 AMStudent Success Workshops
11:25 AM-12OL Time/Travel to UC for Lunch
12-12:45 PMLunch with OL Groups
1:15-1:40 PMSummer Homework
1:50-2:30 PMRejoin Guests &Academic Expectations
2:40-3:10 PMResidential Life and Off-Campus Student Breakout Sessions
3:15-5:05 PMConcurrent 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 PMDinner, Fourth Floor Dining at the UC
6:15 PMMeet up with OLs
6:15-10 PMEvening 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 AMStudent and Guest Check-In
9-9:30 AMWelcome and Schedule Overview
9:30-10 AMThe Partnership Begins – First Year Experience
10-10:10 AMThe Students Depart
10:15-11:15 AMParent Roadmap
11:15-11:45 AMCampus Safety
11:45 AM-12Travel to UC for Lunch
12-12:45 PMLunch, Fourth Floor Dining at the UC
1-1:15 PMTravel Time
1:15-1:40 PMSummer Homework
1:50-2:30 PMStudents Return &Academic Expectations
2:40-3:10 PMResidential Life and Off-Campus Student Breakout Sessions
3:15-5:05 PMConcurrent 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 PMDinner, Fourth Floor Dining at the UC
6:15 PMGuest Reception
Day 2 (Students):
7-7:30 AMCheck-Out of Residence Halls
7:30-7:45 AMTravel to UC, bring luggage to Colonnade Room
7:45-9 AMBreakfast w/ Student Panel
9:15-11:15AMAdvising Prep, Introduction to Canvas
11:30 AMWrap up with OL Group
12Meet up with Guests
Day 2 (Guests):
8-9 AMCampus Resource Fair
9:30-11:45 AMFirst-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!
12Meet up with Students