New Student Orientation FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions regarding New Student Orientation. We will continue to update this list of questions as further details become available.
The University is excited to host in-person two-day (one-overnight) Orientation sessions for the Class of 2026! The in-person sessions will take place on on June 21-22, June 23-24, June 27-28, and June 30-July 1. Students will be able to sign up for a one-day Orientation session through their application status page beginning in early May 2022.
During each New Student Orientation session, we will be hosting a variety of presentations to allow our newest Royals to prepare for the transition to campus in the fall. This experience will provide an opportunity for you to connect with peers, meet your Orientation Assistants, and begin to explore how to prepare for life both inside and outside of the classroom. Please bring any questions you have about academics, life at Scranton, or the University in general and we will be ready to answer them!
Students will complete the registration process for themselves and any guests through their application status page beginning in early May 2022.
Each student (along with any registered parent/guest) will attend a their Orientation session in-person in late June / early July. Students will learn about acclimating to campus life and a variety of campus resources that can assist them with the transition to college. There will be full schedule tracks for both students as well the registered parent/guest. A sample schedule will be available in mid-May, however, for planning purposes, Orientation sessions will start at 9:00 AM on the first day and end on the second day around with lunch starting at 12:30 PM.
Yes, all incoming first year students are required to attend an Orientation session. Participating in Orientation is a critical step in fostering a smooth transition to the University. During Orientation, you will meet other incoming students, learn about resources, and discover ways to be successful at The University of Scranton.
If something should come up that makes it is impossible for you to attend the session you are scheduled for and you need to switch sessions, please contact the Center for Student Engagement at (570) 941-6233 or orientation@scranton.edu. If for any reason you absolutely cannot participate in any of the Orientation sessions, please contact the Center for Student Engagement as soon as possible to make other arrangements.
We will be share additional information and resources throughout the summer. Students are encouraged to follow the Center for Student Engagement on Instagram and regularly check their Scranton.edu email account to learn more information about the upcoming fall semester. We are excited to help you prepare for your transition to college! More information will be shared in July.
The cost for students is included in fees for Orientation and First-Year Activities fee ($275). The cost for family members and/or guests to attend is $70 per person to cover meals and necessary materials. All costs will be billed directly to the fall tuition statement.
The University anticipates Fall Welcome Weekend to take place on August 27-28, 2022. Residential first-year students are currently scheduled to begin arriving to campus on Saturday, August 28, 2022. Please visit our Fall Welcome Weekend page for additional information (this site will be updated throughout the summer as details become available).
Residential first-year students are currently scheduled to begin arriving to campus on Saturday, August 27, 2022. For information about move-in, please contact the Residence Life office at 570-941-6226 or visit their website.
All new students will have the opportunity to meet individually with an academic advisor during their Orientation experience. In these sessions, students will be able to ask questions relative to course schedules or academics at the University, review a preliminary fall schedule, and go over academic goals.

Students and/or parents who may need accommodations for the Orientation program should indicate any accommodations needed when they register for a New Student Orientation session. If you need to make changes to your accommodation requests, please call the Center for Student Engagement at (570) 941-6233 for assistance as soon as possible.

For accommodations that will be needed for the academic year, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (which processes accommodation requests), the Counseling Center, and Student Health Services are open now and throughout the summer. We encourage you to reach out in early summer to ensure that any accommodations can be in place before the semester starts.

Contact Information:

Each in-person Orientation session will begin on Day 1 at 9:00 AM with registration and end with lunch on day 2 beginning at 12:30 PM. Sample schedules for students and guests will be available in mid-May.
Students and a registered parent/guest each have a different schedule to follow that goes for the entire day. Although most of the programs and activities are separate, there will be a few times where they overlap and you can see your parents/student for a short amount of time. Please don't plan on spending the whole day with them.
We have designed the New Student Orientation schedule to allow most students/guests attending to travel to campus with a single overnight stay. Students will be housed overnight in a first-year residence hall room with another first-year student. Parents/guests who choose to attend may select from a number of local hotels from which to choose. We have included a list of hotels for your convenience.
YES! Each Orientation session is filled with essential information you will need to make a successful transition to the University. Since the schedule is full and there are opportunities to interact with fellow students, Orientation Assistants, staff, and faculty, we encourage you to stay for the full program (including overnight) so as not to miss out on any of the important sessions or activities.
There is a separate schedule for registered parents/guardians throughout Orientation where they will receive information about their student's transition into college life. They will also get a chance to meet and speak with faculty and staff and ask any questions they might have regarding the University. It is highly encouraged that a parent/guardian attend the Orientation program, but not required.

Students will not take placement exams during the New Student Orientation in-person sessions. Students will take any required placement tests online beginning in May. These processes will be self-paced and on-going leading up to Orientation. 

If you have questions regarding whether or not you will need to take an exam, please contact your Advising Center. The phone numbers of each Advising Center are listed below.

  • College of Arts and Sciences (570) 941-6323
  • Kania School of Management (570) 941-6100
  • Panuska College of Professional Studies (570) 941-6390

During Orientation, all students will stay on campus in University housing. The University does not provide linens so bring whatever you feel you would need to sleep over for one night. Keep in mind, it is only one night, so you won't need to bring a lot.You should pack the following items:

  • Pillow
  • Linen/Sheets (beds are 76" or 80" - bring long sheets if you have them)
  • Towels
  • Blankets
  • Toiletries
  • Alarm clock
  • Fan
  • Casual clothing
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Umbrella
  • Shower shoes/flip flops
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