For Joint Degree Programme Students

Are you a William and Mary Home Student attending for Fall 2026? If so, stay tuned for information about Orientation in August 2026! Your myTribeGuide will lead you through everything you need to know prior to arriving on campus.

W&M Home Students' orientation journey's will be very similar to any other First-Time-In-College (FTIC) student. You will go through orientation with your hall and meet your fellow first-years, be introduced to life at William & Mary, and get to meet other students in the Joint Degree Programme and in your cohort!

Starting to plan your transition to St Andrews can be overwhelming. But good news! There is a whole W&M class, specific to JDP Home Students, that helps you to prepare for life abroad in Scotland! Our Transitions class is a year long curriculum that helps new JDP students navigate life at William & Mary in their first semester. In the Spring, program faculty, JDP peer advisors, and student-elected representatives from the William and Mary Student Partnership (WaMStA) help JDP students access their St Andrews emails, apply for accommodation, register for classes, and answer any other questions they might have in the lead up to their departure from W&M.

Here are some things to do on your own to help prepare for your transition!

• Start researching if you need a student visa. Access the Reves Center's resources for more information and check your Tribe Guide checklist for reminders and next steps as they are released.
• Talk to your major advisor to assess where you are academically and create a plan for what you need to do to stay on track.
• Research St Andrews accommodation (housing)! In the spring semester, you will receive your St Andrews email and access to MySaint (the St Andrews version of blackboard) and the accommodation portal which will allow you to submit your housing application when it opens. Begin exploring the different kinds of accommodation on the St Andrews website before you apply.
• Reach out to your peer advisors and degree reps! They are your best resource for student life at St Andrews and what to do and where to go once you have arrived.

You might not be new to college life, but you are new to William & Mary — and we are excited to welcome you! Your myTribeGuide will walk you through all essential information before you arrive. 

Transitioning to a new university — or a new country — can be overwhelming. Here a few things to make sure you are thinking about in order to make your arrival at W&M as smooth as possible!

• Do you need a student visa? Contact the Reves Center with questions and explore their resources for international students. 
• Learn about your Hall of Residence and start planning what you might need in order to make W&M your home.
• Regularly check your myTribeGuide and W&M email in order to stay on top of anything that needs to be completed and any new information.
• Reach out to your major advisor with any questions about courses or credits.

While you may not be a new student anymore, there are still lots of firsts on your unique journey in the JDP at William and Mary. That’s why STEP keeps supporting your journey—helping you build community and offering chances to explore and connect as you begin Forming Your Experience and reflect on Focusing Your Experience as you prepare for Graduation or your return to St Andrews.

Explore some of the William & Mary Traditions you can look forward to in your myTribeGuide!

Yes! William & Mary and St Andrews each require notice of your intent to graduate. You can participate in both graduation ceremonies as long as you have submitted your application to graduate to both schools and meet the requirements of your degree. Notification that the application is open  occurs in the Spring of your third year -- regardless of what university you are currently at. Information will be distributed via your official school emails.

The University Registrar at William & Mary is responsible for managing the academic and logistical sides of graduation. Review their Graduation checklist here!

Welcome families! As we prepare for your arrival in August, we recognize that as a part of the Joint Degree Programme, yours and your student's journeys may look a little different. Whether you have a first time student, a new to W&M second year, or are returning to us for third or fourth year, we hope to create the optimal support system for every student. Family Orientation provides helpful information to support your student during their introduction to William & Mary. 

The Home and Host W&M St Andrews Joint Degree Programme Students & Families Dinner prior to the start of New Student Orientation is a great introduction for families and students to the JDP. Students and their supporters are invited to join JDP administrative and support faculty and staff for dinner. Get to know your fellow cohorts -- both parents and students alike!

Registration for Parent & Family Orientation typically opens by mid-May! Please do not register your students for Parent & Family Orientation. Students are required to participate in their own New Student Orientation upon move-in to campus. Family Orientation will run concurrent to New Student Orientation for a full day. 

William & Mary has many resources for families and supporters! Check out Family Engagement to learn about academics, student life, and much more!