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 one-day Orientation sessions for the Class of 2025! The in-person sessions will take place on on June 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, and July 1 & 2. Students will be able to sign up for a one-day Orientation session through their application status page beginning on May 3, 2021.

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 up to one (1) guest through their application status page beginning on May 3, 2021.

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. Please see the sample schedules below for a preview of what to expect:

*Please note, these schedules are subject to change.

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). This fee also covers the cost for up to one (1) guest to attend New Student Orientation.


The University anticipates Fall Welcome Weekend to take place on August 28-29, 2021. Residential first-year students are currently scheduled to begin arriving to campus on Saturday, August 28, 2021. 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 28, 2021. 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 virtually over the summer. In these sessions, students will be able to ask questions relative to course schedules, etc. All incoming students will receive an email from their academic advising center inviting them to schedule an appointment to review their fall schedule, go over your academic goals, and answer any questions you have about academics at the University.

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 at 10:00 AM and end with dinner at 6:00 PM. 

Please see the sample schedules below for a preview of what to expect:

*Please note, these schedules are subject to change.

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 and back in a single day. However, for those traveling from a further distance and wishing to stay in the Scranton area before/after Orientation, there are 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 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
The University of Scranton is committed to keeping a safe, healthy campus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As mandated by Pennsylvania and the Royals Safe Together Plan, face coverings are required in all areas on campus both inside of buildings and outside of them and even when you are social distancing. The New Student Orientation program has been designed to observe social distancing and capacity limits throughout the program. For additional information regarding the University's commitment to creating a safe, healthy campus, please visit the Royals Safe Together site.
The University of Scranton