New Student Orientation

orientation_icon We know you're excited for your time at W&M to begin... and we're excited to welcome you!

New Student Orientation, an enrollment requirement, occurs before each semester to introduce new students to many aspects of William & Mary including student life, academic policies, and the honor code. The goal of each orientation program is to make our students feel right at home from the moment they set foot on campus.

But before you arrive on campus, you'll need to know what to do and where to go. No problem!

We've got the Tribe Guide for that! The Tribe Guide is developed for your specific incoming semester to take you through your new student requirements step-by-step and will be available November 15, 2023 and May 1, 2024 at noon ET for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 new students, respectively.

Residential new students move into their residence hall assignments by selected appointment immediately prior to the start of Orientation.

Spring 2024 New Student Orientation is slated to begin on Friday, January 19 and run until Tuesday, January 23. Parent & Family Orientation for the supporters of our new-to-W&M students is encouraged and slated for Saturday, January 20. The first day of spring semester classes is Wednesday, January 24.

Check-out last year's New Spring Student Orientation highlight schedule (pdf) so you can get a small sense of what to expect in terms of content and activities! Additional information will be provided in your forthcoming Tribe Guide about the move-in process and orientation schedules — and Residence Life can answer questions about living on campus and what to bring with you!