Are you Ram Ready?
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.
Registration for Spring 2021 has now closed.
For students admitted for Fall 2022, more details on summer Orientations and registration will be available later this semester. Please check back! Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items on the list before you register for Orientation.
Ram Ready Online Modules
Ram Ready Online Modules for Fall 2021 will be available this summer. After registering, you will receive information on how to access Ram Ready once it has opened. These online modules provide the information you need to successfully start the semester. Modules should be completed in order at the pace of each individual.
Ram Ready Module Topics:
Module 1: Welcome to VCU (Introduction to Orientation, VCU Overview, Technology)
Module 2: Take Care of Business (Housing, Dining, Textbooks, Software, Transportation, Immunizations, Transcripts)
Module 3: College Financing (Financial Aid, Student Accounting, Student Privacy)
Module 4: Academic Success (Major Maps, Accessibility, Academic Support, Academic Overviews, Advising)
Module 5: Career Pathways (REAL, Career, Work-Study, Mentoring, Alumni, Research, Education Abroad)
Module 6: Get Involved (Diversity and Inclusion, Student Organizations, Peer Leadership, Student Media)
Module 7: Be Well (The Well, Student Health, Counseling, Recreational Sports)
Module 8: Find Resources (Safety, Advocacy, Title IX, Campus Resources)
Module 9: Make it REAL (Expectations, Free Speech, Preparing for Arrival, VCUCard, Richmond)
Orientation registration for Fall 2021 students will be available later this semester. Please check back for more details.
Families and guests
More details for families and guests will be available soon. We encourage family members and guests to participate in the online orientation and events for families. As important partners in your student’s success, we have designed an orientation program just for you. To get more information about accessing the online Family Orientation, please make sure your student has added you as a guest to their orientation reservation and visit the Family member and guest page.
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. Families and guests are also encouraged to join you for this important meeting. More details will be available soon!
Fall semester: Students admitted for the semester will typically participate in Orientation over the summer in June and July. The format of Orientation for Fall 2021 has not been announced at this time. More information about Orientations will be available later in the Spring semester.
Spring Semester: For students admitted for Spring semester, Orientation will take place online for all students. You will complete the Ram Ready Modules at your own pace and schedule a two-hour virtual Orientation meeting. These meetings will be held in January 2021 before the start of the Spring semester. You will also have the opportunity to connect with other new students through virtual meet-ups that will be hosted throughout December and January.