First-Year Students
Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer and adult learner students, international students and students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than three years. Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to participate. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU.
Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items on the list before you register for Orientation.
Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items on the list before you register for Orientation.
First-Year Orientation Dates
Summer Orientation: VCU requires all new, incoming students to complete Orientation. New Student and Family Programs at VCU is committed to helping you get RAM READY by sharing campus resources to help you succeed, answering your questions about becoming a new Ram, and connecting you with fellow current and incoming VCU students!
Students admitted for Fall 2021 will participate in a two-week virtual Orientation session.
Students will choose a session that fits your schedule based on your school or college:
*Session 1: June 21 - July 2 (Arts, Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Undeclared, Wilder)
*Session 2: July 12-23 (Education, Health Professions, Humanities & Sciences, Nursing, Pre-Health Baccalaureate, Social Work, University College)
*Session 3: July 26 - August 6 (All schools/colleges including Pre-Health and Undeclared)
Each session will contain two mandatory meetings with an Orientation Leader (OL) that are one and half hours long each. These meetings will take place Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of both weeks of the session at your chosen time.
Times for each day are as follows:
*Monday and Tuesday: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm
*Wednesday: 10 am and 12 pm
Students will also need to attend one required virtual academic event and one required financial event which they will register for on RamsConnect. These events are offered at various times throughout your session to meet your scheduling needs.
Students admitted for Fall 2021 will participate in a two-week virtual Orientation session.
Students will choose a session that fits your schedule based on your school or college:
*Session 1: June 21 - July 2 (Arts, Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Undeclared, Wilder)
*Session 2: July 12-23 (Education, Health Professions, Humanities & Sciences, Nursing, Pre-Health Baccalaureate, Social Work, University College)
*Session 3: July 26 - August 6 (All schools/colleges including Pre-Health and Undeclared)
Each session will contain two mandatory meetings with an Orientation Leader (OL) that are one and half hours long each. These meetings will take place Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of both weeks of the session at your chosen time.
Times for each day are as follows:
*Monday and Tuesday: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm
*Wednesday: 10 am and 12 pm
Students will also need to attend one required virtual academic event and one required financial event which they will register for on RamsConnect. These events are offered at various times throughout your session to meet your scheduling needs.
Fees
There will be no upfront cost for the Orientation program. The cost for the program is covered by the New Student Transition Fee on your student bill and will be paid alongside tuition and other fees or covered by your financial aid package.
Please note: fees are subject to change from semester to semester.
For Fall 2021, there is no fee for family members to participate in Orientation, but they must be registered in order to gain access to Orientation materials. To register a family member or guest, make sure you add them to your orientation registration.
Please note: fees are subject to change from semester to semester.
For Fall 2021, there is no fee for family members to participate in Orientation, but they must be registered in order to gain access to Orientation materials. To register a family member or guest, make sure you add them to your orientation registration.
Advising
First-year students are registered for their classes by their academic advisor based upon information provided in the Registration Survey. You will find a link to this survey on the First-Year Checklist. Students will then receive an email during the first week of their Orientation session with instructions on making their orientation advising appointment to review that schedule and start making plans for a successful fall semester.