Are you Ram Ready?
Orientation is required for first-year, transfer and adult learner, and international students as well as students 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.
Orientation will be virtual for students admitted for Fall 2021 and will take place over the summer.
Registration for Orientation is required. Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items prior to registering for Orientation.
Ram Ready Orientation
Ram Ready Orientation for Fall 2021 will be virtual. The virtual program will have several components:
First-year students must complete Ram Ready Online Modules, attend an academic advising meeting, and sign up for a two-week Orientation session during which they will attend two meetings with their Orientation team to build connections with other students, participate in an academic event, and attend a financial overview. All of these experiences are virtual.
Transfer students must complete Ram Ready Online Modules and attend a four-hour Orientation session meeting that includes an academic breakout session, a Q&A with campus partners, a financial overview, and a breakout session with their Orientation team. This experience is completely virtual.
All students are also encouraged to attend several virtual informational and social events throughout the summer.
Ram Ready Modules
After registering for Orientation, you should complete the Ram Ready Online Modules. These online modules cover all the basics and provide the information you need to successfully start the semester. Modules should be completed in order at the pace of each individual. Modules are tailored to the you based on your student status (First-Year, Transfer, International, or Student Veteran) and there is a special Family version of the modules available with bonus content specific to new VCU families. For more details on module topics covered in Ram Ready, visit the Schedules and Details page.
All new students must register for Orientation ahead of time to gain access to virtual Orientation platforms and to schedule virtual meetings. We also encourage all students to register a family member as well so that their family can also gain access to the Family Orientation program and resources. Orientation is included in your New Student Transition Fee. There is no additional cost to register yourself or any family members at the time of registration.
Families and guests
As important partners in your student’s success, we have designed an orientation program just for you. In order to gain access to the Family Orientation, your student must add you as a guest to their registration. This grants you access to the Family Orientation modules in Ram Ready and you will be added to the Ram Families Listserv to receive timely updates and communication about webinars and events happening as part of Orientation and throughout the academic year.
Transfer and adult learner students
We understand you may be coming from a very different experience at another institution and have created content, especially for you to learn how to have a successful transition to VCU. The transfer student experience will have information specific to being a transfer student as well as general information about how things work at VCU. You will also have opportunities to connect with other incoming transfer students!
Veteran students
If you are serving or have served in the military, there is Orientation content specifically for veteran students to learn about resources and opportunities as well as how to apply for your military benefits.
Fall semester: Students admitted for the semester will participate in virtual Orientation over the summer.
Spring Semester: New students admitted for the spring semester will participate in Orientation in January. Registration typically opens at the end of the fall semester (November/December).