Overview
Your virtual Penn State New Student Orientation experience will combine opportunities for real-time engagement with Penn State staff, Orientation Leaders, and Academic Advisers with a series of self-paced online modules.
The virtual orientation experience has combined some live/synchronous activities with self-paced asynchronous activities. We will begin to accept reservations for orientation in April 2021. When you make a reservation for orientation, you should select a start date that allows you to complete all synchronous and asynchronous orientation activities, except for the advising meeting, within 2 days. Students will be eligible to meet with an academic adviser once these items are complete. Dates/times of the University Welcome live streams will be available to accommodate new students and their families participating from a variety of time zones around the world.
Our live/synchronous activities include:
- A University Welcome,
- Zoom Orientation Leader Small group session,
- Meeting with your campus or UP college
- A one-on-one academic advising appointment
Our self-paced activities include:
- Orientation Canvas course
- Course Planning Guide
Your participation in the University Welcome, Orientation Leader Small Group, and campus/UP college meeting is required in order to gain access to additional self-paced modules and to schedule an appointment with an Academic Adviser. You will be able to select from date and time options within our reservation system.
What’s your time commitment? We estimate it will take you about ten hours to complete orientation:
- University Welcome, Orientation Leader Small Group, and campus/college meeting: 3 hours
- self-paced online modules the next day: 3-4 hours
- Academic Advising & Course Scheduling: 2 hours
You’ll be able to make a reservation for family members to participate in Virtual Orientation through the reservation system. Separate, but concurrent, programming options will be available for family members that wish to support you through the orientation process. Please add them as your guest(s) to ensure they receive important information about orientation.
To learn more about the technology and connectivity recommendations for Virtual Orientation and Online Learning, check out the Connect to Tech Student Technology Guide.
Step Two: Welcome Week
A day-long session dedicated to bringing you together with other new students to kick off your journey as Penn Staters. This program, which is required, will allow you to meet faculty, staff, and other students; learn about campus life; and prepare for the academic challenges and resources that lie ahead. It also includes Academic Convocation, which formally welcomes you to Penn State University and the Greater Allegheny Campus.
Please choose the appropriate category below to learn the steps in making the transition to Penn State.
- First year students
- Transfer students and adult learners
- International students