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.
For students admitted for Spring 2022, Orientations will take place in December and January with both in-person and virtual options. Registration will open later this semester. See below and visit the Schedules, Dates and Details page for more details.
Registration for Spring 2022 Orientation is now open. Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items prior to registering for Orientation.
VCU Orientation
Orientation for students admitted for Spring 2022 has multiple components and will offer some limited in-person and fully virtual options. Orientations will take place in January, 2022 before the start of classes. Students will complete the Ram Ready Online modules and attend an in-person or a live-virtual session as part of the Orientation process.
For students admitted for Fall 2022, more information and details will be available in the Spring semester. Orientations typically occur in the summer months. Check back in the new year for more details!
Orientation for Spring 2022 students includes the following components:
- Online 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, Dates and Details page.
- Virtual or In-Person Orientation Session: Upon registering for Orientation, you will select a date and time for your Orientation Session which will occur either in-person or virtually. Visit the Orientation Dates section for dates and modalities available to you. (*Students must submit their COVID-19 vaccine records in order to attend any in-person Orientation events).
- Advising Meeting: You will attend an advising meeting either before or during your Orientation. You will receive more details on how to schedule this meeting after registering for your Orientation. You can click the appropriate link below for more details on advising for your first semester:
All new students must register for Orientation ahead of time to gain access to virtual Orientation platforms and to schedule their Orientation 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 may be an additional cost for guests to attend the in-person program.
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 throughout the academic year.
If attending one of the in-person Orientation events, students have the opportunity to add one guest to their registration. There will be an additional $25 guest fee to cover the cost of meals and materials for the in-person program.
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).