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.
Orientation for Spring 2021 will be held VIRTUALLY and includes two components:
- Ram Ready Online Modules, a series of online modules to complete at your own pace;
- A virtual meeting with VCU staff and student Orientation Leaders.
Ram Ready Online Modules
Ram Ready Online Modules will be available in early December. 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. Once available, we encourage you to complete the modules before your scheduled virtual Orientation meeting. The modules include information about connecting with your academic advisor to finalize your class schedule, if you haven't already.
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)
Virtual Orientation Meeting
You will also have a virtual meeting that will provide you with an opportunity to hear from campus partners and meet with an Orientation Leader and other new students. These meetings will take place in January 2021 prior to the start of the spring semester. You will be able to select from several available times when you complete your Orientation registration.
You will access the meeting virtually via Zoom using a platform called RamsConnect. You will receive details on how to log into RamsConnect and access your meeting link during the week of your scheduled meeting. We are excited to welcome you to the #RAMily through this virtual experience! Once you register you will receive all the details you need to complete virtual Orientation and prepare to start classes in January.
Visit Dates and Schedules for more details on Ram Ready Module release dates and Virtual Meeting dates.
To gain access to the Orientation modules and virtual events, you must register and pay your Orientation fee. For Spring 2021, a $100 non-refundable fee covers all Orientation software, materials and staffing in addition to programs and services designed to support new students in their first year. The secure payment system accepts all major credit and debit cards. We are unable to accept payments in the form of cash or check.
Your reservation is not complete until your online payment is received. Payments are non-refundable and cannot be waived.
Begin your Orientation registration now!
Families and guests
We have a special online Orientation program just for families. If family members would like to gain access to this virtual Orientation resource and receive information about virtual opportunities just for families, students should register them as a guest in the registration system. We are waiving all fees for families and guests of students starting classes in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021.
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 online 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 online Orientation content specifically for veteran students to learn about resources and opportunities specific to you as well as how to apply for your military benefits. A special virtual meeting will be held for student veterans and those receiving military benefits, in addition to the mandatory virtual Orientation meeting. These meetings will take place right before your scheduled Virtual Orientation Meeting and you will be able to RSVP to the Veteran and Military Benefits Meeting in RamsConnect. Families and guests are also encouraged to join you for this important meeting. More details will be available soon!
Spring Semester: For students admitted for Spring 2021, 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.
- For more details on module release dates and virtual meeting times for Spring 2021 visit Dates and Schedules.
Fall semester: The format of Orientation for Summer 2021 has not been deteremined at this time. Traditionally, Orientation is a two-day summer program with an overnight stay for first-year students. Transfer students attend for a one-day or half-day program. More information about Summer 2021 Orientations will be available in the Spring semester.