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Starting college is a big step, and student orientation programs are a great way to make the transition easier. U.S. colleges use different orientation methods, ranging from in-person events to online orientation, to help new students get a feel for their new home. Whether you're an international student, a freshman, or even a family member, these orientations are designed to make sure everyone gets the information they need.
In this post, we'll dive into the different types of orientations offered by U.S. colleges, highlighting their unique aspects, and how online orientation and orientation software like Orientus make these processes even smoother.
Rice University takes a unique approach to orientation through its residential colleges. Each year, these colleges select a different theme for their O-Week, creating a fun and diverse experience for new students.
For example, in 2023, Lovett College went with a "World ExpO-Week" theme, celebrating diversity and the college’s future vision. During O-Week, students are split into small groups of 7-8, each led by 4-5 upperclassmen advisors. These groups help freshmen adapt to campus life, get to know Rice traditions, and make lifelong friends.
The personal touch at Rice’s orientation makes it stand out, focusing on strong community building right from the start.
At Arizona State University, orientation has both in-person and online elements. ASU uses a 70-30 split, with most activities happening offline but plenty of online resources too. Their orientation includes several key programs to help students connect and get involved.
At ASU, student orientation is as much about forming connections as it is about academic preparation.
Boston University (BU) stands out by integrating community service into its orientation program. The First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) allows students to engage in local community service projects around Boston. This program helps students bond with classmates while giving back to the city, making it a unique orientation model.
BU’s approach to orientation emphasizes its strong commitment to service and community engagement.
Dartmouth College offers a mix of traditional orientation and a special pre-orientation for international students. One standout feature of Dartmouth's program is the First-Year Trips, which are optional outdoor adventure trips designed to help new students build resilience and community before the academic year begins.
Dartmouth also runs an International Student Pre-Orientation Program (ISPOP), a 3-day event that covers topics like visa requirements, campus resources, and cultural adjustments. This is a crucial program for international students who need extra support when moving to a new country.
Dartmouth’s orientation provides an immersive experience that goes beyond campus tours, ensuring both local and international students feel at home.
Reed College takes a quirky and fun approach to orientation with activities like the Noise Parade, and even a Haircut Station. Reed also runs Reed 101, an online orientation module that students need to complete before arriving on campus. Once on campus, the rest of the activities are fully in person, led by their OWLs (Orientation & Wayfinding Leaders).
Reed’s orientation week is all about community building, and its playful activities help ease students into the college environment.
With so many different approaches to orientation, it’s no surprise that organizing these programs can be a headache for university staff. That’s where orientation software like Orientus comes in.
Orientus helps universities streamline their orientation processes by:
Whether you're organizing a large-scale, in-person event or coordinating online orientation, Orientus simplifies it all.
From outdoor adventures to online chats, U.S. colleges take many creative approaches to student orientation. The goal is always the same: to help new students transition smoothly into university life. Whether you're a freshman attending an in-person orientation or an international student completing online orientation, these programs are designed to support you every step of the way.
And for universities, using orientation software like Orientus makes planning these complex programs easier and more efficient.
Student orientation helps new students get familiar with campus, meet fellow students, and learn about academic and social resources available at the university.
Yes, many universities now offer online orientation options, either as a complete alternative or to supplement in-person events.
Orientus helps universities organize and manage their orientation programs more efficiently, allowing for both online and in-person events.
Yes, most universities, including Rice, BU, and Reed, offer family orientation sessions to help families get acquainted with the university as well.
I'm a highly skilled project manager with extensive experience in the education technology industry. With a background in computer science and a passion for improving educational outcomes, I have dedicated my career to developing innovative software solutions that make learning more engaging, accessible, and effective.
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