Orientation session dates
Orientation session dates are available in June and July and will vary depending on your student status (e.g. first-year or transfer) and your major. Please select the appropriate student type below to view your available dates. You will select a date for your Orientation session when you complete Orientation registration. You will only be able to select the date(s) that are available to you based on your student record.
First-Year Orientation
Orientation for first-year students is a two-day program that includes an overnight experience. Students will stay on campus in the Gladding Residence Center. When you complete your registration, you will select a date based on your school/college and availability.
First-year students will participate in the following components to fulfill Orientation requirements:
- Two-day in-person Orientation session
- Ram Ready Orientation Modules
- Virtual or in-person advising meeting to confirm your schedule
The earliest dates will be open first and more dates will become available as the early dates fill up. If you do not see a date listed above when you go to register, please contact newrams@vcu.edu and we can assist you.
If you are unsure what school/college your major falls in, you can check it at https://www.vcu.edu/academics/?d=bachelors or by logging into your Orientation account.
Special Orientation programs
Students participating in the above programs will attend a specific Orientation session for those in the programs. Once registration opens, you should select the session labeled “Orientation for Summer Scholars, Trio and VCU Acceleration” when completing your registration.
Students who have been accepted into the Honors College will attend a specific Orientation session for those in the College. You will need to make plans to attend one of these sessions that also corresponds with your academic school or college.
For students who may be coming from out-of-state or internationally, we will host a session for students in all schools and colleges closer to move-in and the start of the semester.
For more information on requirements for new international students, visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/started/info1/.
Transfer and Adult Learner Student Orientations
VCU offers both in-person and virtual options for transfer students and adult learners. The in-person program is a half-day program and includes a program for family members and guests. The virtual program is three to four hours and is conducted over Zoom.
Transfer students and adult learners will participate in the following components to fulfill Orientation requirements:
- Virtual or in-person Orientation session
- Ram Ready Orientation Modules
- Virtual or in-person advising meeting to confirm your schedule
Orientation dates for Spring 2023 will be available soon. Typically, Orientations take place in January before the start of classes.
Ram Ready Orientation Module Overview
After registering for Orientation, students and families will have access to modules on Ram Ready on the release date. Modules must be completed in order but may be completed at the pace of each individual. Once the Ram Ready Orientation Modules are available, you can access them 24 hours a day from the release date until the start of the semester. They have been specifically designed to allow for flexibility within your schedule.
Students will complete a set of modules prior to attending Orientation. These modules will cover a basic introduction to VCU and how to prepare for your Orientation, financial information and services, housing options, dining plans, an overview of general academic and advising information, your academic requirements by school/college and how to prepare for course registration.
Students will also complete a set of modules after attending Orientation. These modules will provide a more in-depth overview of resources and support services discussed at your Orientation. You will learn more about charting your career pathway or major exploration, how to get involved at VCU, staying and being well, safety on campus and advocacy resources, and expectations.
Tips for completing Ram Ready
Participants should plan to spend about 30 minutes per module, but the timing may vary for each individual. Each module is required and progressive, so you must complete them in order to move on to the next.
Ram Ready Orientation Modules content is tailored just for you! Some of the general content is the same for all participants, but we do have tailored content for specific groups, such as first-year students, transfer students, veterans, and family members. You will self-select your student type upon your initial login.
Students should sign in to Ram Ready using the VCU CAS login with your eID and password. Families and guests should select the guest login and then select "Family" as your user type. Families should use the email that your student used when adding you to their Orientation reservation.