Preparing 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 in to 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 supporter that is planning to join you, you must add them to your reservation at the end of your registration and pay the family Orientation 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 family member, log back in to your Orientation account and go to the “Family/Supporter Orientation” 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
For students accepted for the fall semester:
- Orientation is a two-day overnight program that will begin around 12 p.m. on the first day (Day One) and will end by 2 p.m. on the second day (Day Two). You will have the option to check in beginning around 10 a.m. to attend some optional sessions, explore campus or visit any offices you need to. Times may vary from year to year. Final schedules are typically available one month before the start for Orientation.
For students accepted for the spring semester:
- The Spring Orientation program is typically a half day that runs about 5 hours for both new first-year and transfer students. This program is similar to an in-person Transfer session; see more information below.
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 taking place in June and July will take place in the Gladding Residence Center (711 W. Main St.). Students and their families (if registered) will receive their name badges, and students staying overnight will be able to drop their luggage off in their assigned rooms.
There will be a variety of optional sessions happening throughout check-in including Military Benefits overview and opportunities to meet with staff from the Student Financial Management Center, VCU Dine and other offices.
Main St. Parking Deck (located at 801 W. Main St)
Parking is available right across the street from Gladding Residence Center in the W. Main St. Parking Deck. When you enter the deck, please take a white parking ticket. At check-in, you will receive a QR code parking voucher to scan as you leave the deck. When exiting the deck, you will insert your parking ticket and then scan the voucher provided. This QR code may be used throughout the two-day session and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the Day Two 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 One and breakfast on Day Two. All student meals will be in Market 810, VCU’s all-you-care to eat dining hall located in Shafer Court Dining Center or the Student Commons Food Court, when available.
- Families and supporters will receive lunch, refreshments and a reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres on Day One and coffee/tea and breakfast on Day Two. Families and supporters will enjoy lunch in Market 810 with their student and the refreshments, reception and breakfast will be catered.
Materials:
After checking in for Orientation, students will receive:
- Drawstring bag
- Refillable water bottle
Registered families/guests will receive:
- Tote bag
- Refillable tumbler or bottle
- Notebook and pen
Items may vary from year-to-year.
This is a day and a half-long program that includes an overnight stay on campus for the students ONLY. 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 at this session 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. We cannot accommodate requests for roommates.
- Overnight accessibility accommodations: If you need any special accommodations for your overnight stay due to a documented permanent or temporary disability, please make sure you have indicated this in your Orientation registration under the “Accessibility and Accommodations” tab. You should also begin the process for requesting accommodations for the academic year with the Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) office.
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 around 7 p.m. on Day One and then be back on campus around 8 a.m. on Day two.
Overnight housing for families is not included as part of the Family Orientation fee. 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.
Local hotel discounts: VCU has partnered with several local area hotels to offer special discounted rates for families attending Orientation.
- For a list of other hotels at discounted rates, VCU works with booking partner Campus Travel Management, view rates and availability.
- The Graduate Hotel to offer a discounted rate for VCU, visit the Graduate Hotel site to book.
- More information on discounts for Summer 2024 will be available soon.
Stay on-campus during Orientation: This option is available at an additional cost in one of VCU’s apartment-style residence halls. Rates typically begin around $80.00 per person for one night. You can stay the night before and the night of your Orientation. Check back soon to book your on-campus 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/body wash, shampoos, lotions, make-up, etc)
- A state-issued ID or driver’s license (to pick up your VCU Card)
- 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
This is typically a half-day program that will run for around five 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.
At check-in, you will receive a QR code parking voucher to scan as you leave the deck. The QR code may be used throughout the day and will expire at 11:59 p.m. 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 either the on-campus dining locations located in the University Student Commons or Market 810, VCU’s all-you-care to eat dining hall located in Shafer Court Dining Center, depending on the session. 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 refillable 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
This is typically 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 for around 3.5 hours total. Students should plan to attend the entire program.
- 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, so 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.