Prepare for Orientation
As you prepare for your upcoming Orientation session, here is some helpful information to review prior to your session.
General reminders:
- Need to make any changes to your Orientation registration? Please log back into your Orientation account to select a new date, add a family member or guest or make any other updates. Go to the “Completed Tasks” tab to find your Orientation Registration page and make changes.
- Thinking about changing your major? Be sure to complete that process before Orientation, if possible.To request a change of major, email Undergraduate Admissions at admproc@vcu.edu. If your major change request is in another VCU school or college, your application will need to be reevaluated and you may need to change your Orientation date.
- If you have a family member or guest that is planning to join you, you must add them as a guest at the end of your registration and pay the guest fee (in-person Orientations only). They should receive a confirmation email to the guest email provided if they have been successfully registered. To add a guest, log back in to your Orientation account and go to the “Guest” tab.
- Make plans to be present for the entire time of your scheduled Orientation. If you cannot, please reschedule for a time that works better for you.
Prepare for first-year Orientation
This is a two-day overnight program that will run from around 11:30 a.m. on Day 1 and will end around 1 p.m. on Day 2. Students and families will have the option to check in beginning around 10 a.m. to attend some optional sessions including a Financial Aid Overview and a Military Benefits Overview for those who may be receiving military benefits.
Students are required to attend the entire program, and families are encouraged to attend as much as possible to gain the most from the experience.
Check-in for First-Year Orientation will take place in the Gladding Residence Center (711 W. Main St). Students and their guests (if registered) will receive their name badges and students staying overnight will be able to drop their luggage off in their assigned rooms.
You will receive an email a few days before your session with a recommended check-in window between 9:45 a.m and 11:30 a.m. Below are some sessions happening earlier in the day that you may wish to arrive early to attend:
Optional Early Sessions and Activities on Day 1:
- Financial Aid Overview at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Military Benefits Overview at 10:45 a.m. *Required for students receiving military benefits.
- Visit the Student Financial Management Center for any questions regarding financial aid, billing and more.
- Meet with VCU Dine to discuss dining plan options.
Main St. Parking Deck (located at 801 W. Main St)
Parking is available right across the street from Gladding Residence Center in the Main St. Parking Deck. When you enter the deck, please take a white parking ticket. At check-in, you will receive a QR code to scan as you leave the deck. This QR code may be used throughout the two-day session and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the 2nd day of your Orientation.
*Parking locations occasionally change due to special events, be sure to check your email before your session to confirm parking and arrival information..
- Students will receive lunch, dinner and snacks on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2.
- Families and guests will receive lunch and refreshments on Day 1 and coffee/tea and a continental breakfast on Day 2.
After checking in for Orientation, students will receive a drawstring bag for carrying any items you receive at Orientation and a water bottle that you can refill. You will not need a laptop or computer for Orientation, so you do not need to bring one.
Registered families/guests will receive a small tote bag, a water tumbler, a notebook and a pen.
Students and families will be separate for much of the program, but there will be some sessions that students and families attend together.
- Check-in
- VCU Financial Aid sessions*
- Military Benefits Meeting*
- Connect with your Academic College/School (e.g. Humanities and Sciences, Business, Arts, etc)
- Student success sessions
- Ram horn tradition
- Resource Fair (VCUCard pick up available during this time)
- Opportunities to visit: VCU Bookstore, Student Financial Management Center, Cabell Library, Residential Life and Housing
- Student sessions:
- Welcome
- The First-Year Experience
- Finding Your Spark: VCU Major Maps
- Belonging, Being Well and Finding Support
- Staying Safe with the Herd
- “Find Your Herd” networking sessions
- Interest sessions including topics such as: Earn While You Learn, Well-being at VCU, Utilizing DegreeWorks, Student Involvement, and more
- Family and supporter sessions:
- Welcome
- On and Off-campus housing
- Your Student’s Spark: Understanding Major Maps at VCU
- Receptions with academic and campus partners
- Campus Services Overview: Dining, Bookstore, RamTech
- Your Student’s Safety
- Your Student’s Belonging, Well-Being and Support
- Ramily Matters: Programs for VCU Families
- Interest sessions
A more detailed schedule with times and locations will be emailed prior to your Orientation session.
*Optional sessions available during check-in for those interested in learning more about these topics.
This is a day and a half-long program that includes an overnight stay on campus for the students. Students will stay in Gladding Residence Center in either a traditional double room with a community bathroom or a suite-style room (2 double rooms) with a shared bathroom.
*Note for August Orientation: Students attending the August Orientation right before the start of classes will move into their assigned residence hall room. On-campus housing will NOT be available for students who are living off-campus this fall.
- Roommates at Orientation: Roommates are preassigned to students based on their gender identity indicated on their Orientation Registration. Roommate requests are limited, but we will do our best to try to accommodate requests whenever possible. Email newrams@vcu.edu for more information. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed.
- Overnight accessibility accommodations: If you need any special accommodations for your overnight stay, please make sure you have indicated this in your Orientation registration under the “Accessibility and Accommodations” tab. If you have any questions or concerns, please email newrams@vcu.edu.
- Not staying overnight on campus? If you do not plan to stay overnight on campus, please make sure you indicated as such on your Orientation registration. You will still need to plan to stay with the Orientation program until about 8 p.m. on Day 1 and then be back on campus around 8 a.m. on Day 2.
If you are joining us from out-of-town, we have several options to help you make a plan for your overnight stay in Richmond. While housing for families is not included as part of the Orientation guest fee, we do have an on campus option available and partnerships with local area hotels.
- On-campus overnight housing for families and guests is available for those that may be interested beginning at $80 per person/per night. Families and guests of students can stay in Cary and Belvidere Residence Center, which is an apartment-style hall. Learn more and register for On-Campus Family Orientation housing through VCU Conference Services. Families and guests staying on-campus will need to provide their own pillows and linens. Note that on-campus housing will NOT be available to families and guests attending the August Orientation session.
- Local hotels and deals: VCU has partnered with several local area hotels to offer special discounted rates for families attending Orientation.
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- The Graduate Hotel to offer a discounted rate for VCU Orientation, visit the Graduate Hotel site to book.
- For a list of other hotels at discounted rates, VCU works with booking partner Campus Travel Management, view rates and availability.
- We have worked with several local hotels to secure discounted rates on Orientation nights, please review the Richmond Region Tourism Orientation Hotel & City Guide page for more details and links to book your stay.
- A pillow and linens for your bed. Linens and pillows will NOT be provided. All beds are Extra Long Twins. We recommend bringing the following:
- Two flat sheets (or a fitted and flat if you have an XL twin set)
- A blanket (should be packable)
- A pillow with a cover
- Note: The rooms can get chilly in the summer!
- One small towel and one bath towel (if you would like to shower during your stay)
- Comfortable clothes and shoes for two days and pajamas for overnight. While it may be warm outside, we recommend bringing layers as buildings can be chilly in the summer. You will be walking around quite a bit, so comfort is key!
- A rain jacket or umbrella. Our program will continue rain or shine!
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, lotions, make-up, etc)
- A state-issued ID or driver’s license
- Phone and/or device charger(s)
- Any required prescribed medications (if applicable) - each room is equipped with a micro-fridge if you need to keep items refrigerated
- Optional items you may also want:
- Gym or workout clothes if you would like to use gym facilities on campus in the evening
- Change of clothes for the evening activities
Prepare for in-person Transfer Orientation
The Transfer Orientation program is typically a half day that runs about 5 hours. Sessions take place at various times, so be sure to check your email to confirm your exact time. Check-in typically begins up to one hour before your session start time. You will receive a reminder email with check in times and details a few days before your session. Students should plan to attend the entire program.
- Check-in
- Resource fair and optional campus tours
- Welcome and resource overview
- Belonging, Being Well and Finding Support
- Staying Safe with the Herd
- “Find Your Herd” networking sessions
- Interest sessions include topics such as: VCU Finances and you, Earn While You Learn, Well-being at VCU, Utilizing DegreeWorks, Student Involvement, and more
- Designing Your Success plan at VCU
- Connect with Your Academic College/School (e.g. Humanities and Sciences, Business, Arts, etc.)
A more detailed schedule with times and locations will be emailed prior to your Orientation session.
Families and supporters will attend most sessions together with their student. There will be some interest sessions that are specifically designed for families and supporters.
All Orientation attendees and guests should park at the W. Main St. Parking Deck (801 W. Main St.) located across from the University Student Commons. When you enter the deck, please take a white parking ticket.
Upon checking in, you will be provided a parking voucher with a QR code that is good for the entire day. When exiting the deck for the day, you will insert your parking ticket and then scan the voucher provided. The QR code will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the day of your Orientation session.
*Parking locations occasionally change due to special events, be sure to check your email before your session to confirm parking and arrival information.
- Students and their registered guests will receive a meal ticket valid at the on-campus dining locations located in the University Student Commons. This can be used at Orientation or at a later time. Light refreshments may also be served depending on the time of your Orientation.
- All students and their guests will receive a reusable bag and a water bottle or tumbler.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes. While it may be warm outside, we recommend bringing layers as buildings can be chilly in the summer
- A method for taking notes, if you would like
- A state-issued ID or driver’s license
- Questions you may have as you’ll have ample opportunities to ask them throughout the day
Prepare for virtual Transfer Orientation
The virtual Transfer Orientation program is an abbreviated version of Orientation that covers the main highlights and gives you an opportunity to meet with staff and faculty and get any final questions answered. The program runs about 3.5 hours total and you should plan to be logged on and participating the entire time.
- Check your technology. We’ll be utilizing Zoom for your virtual meeting, so make sure you have the most updated version of Zoom. You may begin using the VCU Zoom platform by logging in at zoom.vcu.edu. VCU Zoom accounts are set up on a rolling basis throughout the summer, if your account is not set up yet, you may use a personal Zoom account.
- Get your meeting link. You will be emailed instructions a few days before your session with information on accessing your Zoom meeting link.
- Plan to be in a quiet place free from distractions. For your safety, you should not join this meeting while operating a vehicle, and you should do your best to be in a quiet location free from distractions. You will be muted upon entry, but are encouraged to unmute to ask questions, if you would like.
- We strongly recommend that you join using a computer, laptop, or tablet so you can easily view the slides, use the chat box, and see the presenters. It is not recommended that you join using a phone.
- For a more personal experience and to help build community, we encourage you to turn your video on, if you feel comfortable, although it is not required.
- Welcome and resource overview
- Designing Your Success plan at VCU
- Connect with Your Academic College/School (e.g. Humanities and Sciences, Business, Arts, etc.)
- Belonging, Being Well and Finding Support
- Staying Safe on and off campus
- VCU Finances and You
- Interest sessions include topics such as: Adult and Non-Traditional Students, Earn While You Learn, Well-being at VCU, Utilizing DegreeWorks, Study Abroad, and more.