First-Year Experience - Customs

Customs New Student Orientation

New Student Move-In

Please note that arrival earlier than your assigned date is not permitted. If you will need to arrive to the area earlier, you should plan to stay in off-campus lodging. Local accommodation links can be found here. 

First-Year Experience - International Move In

International Students

International students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa should plan to arrive on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Students should check in at Dalton Hall between 9am-1pm. 

 

First-Year Experience - Domestic Move In

Domestic Students

Students should plan to arrive on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 between 9am-12pm. Students should check in at their assigned residence hall. 

Orientation Schedules

First-Year & International Parent & Guardian

New Student Orientation Schedule

  • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • International students check-in/paperwork completion***
      • Location: Dalton Hall
  • 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Lunch
      • Location: New Dorm Dining Hall
  • 5 p.m.
    • International parents & guardians depart campus
  • 5 p.m.
    • Dinner with Customs People***
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 8 p.m.
    • International Student Social***
      • Location: Campus Center Main Lounge

***Required

  • 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
    • Breakfast
      • Location: New Dorm Dining Hall
  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    • Students move in to assigned residence halls
  • 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Lunch
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
    • Resource fair for new students & families
      • Location: Taylor Drive 
  • 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m
    • Philadelphia Snack Break 
      • Location: Taylor Drive 
  • 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
    • College Life Resource Panel for parents & guardians***
      • Location: Great Hall
  • 3:00 p.m - 3:45 p.m
    • Wellness on Campus pt. 1 for new students*** 
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 4 p.m.
    • College Welcome and Reception***
      • Location: Senior Row
  • 5 p.m.
    • Students bid families farewell
  • 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    • Dinner and Customs Group Meetings***
      • Location: Erdman and Residence Halls
  • 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Traditions & Alumnae/i Association Welcome***
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart

***Required

  • 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
    • Breakfast
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 8 a.m.
    • Medical or Health related fields & professions information session
      • Location: Old Library 110
  • 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Employment sign-up
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
    • Academic Fair
      • Locations: Dalton 300, Great Hall, & Park Atrium
  • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Lunch
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
    • Wellness on campus pt. 2*** 
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
    • Introduction to Title IX***
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    • Canaday Land
      • Location: Canaday Library
  • 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 
    • Dinner
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    • Class of 2028 Dessert Reception with President Cadge
      • Location: Pen y Groes (See dorm schedule for details)

***Required

  • All Day
    • Completion of online summer tutorials (as assigned)
      • Location: Guild 110
  • 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
    • Breakfast
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Employment sign-up
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
    • Honor Board and SGA***
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Lunch
      • Erdman Dining Hall
  • 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
    • Alcohol and Other Drug Education***
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Creating Community with Care***
      • McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart
  • 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    • Dinner
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
    • Friday Night Lights

***Required

  • 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Brunch
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
    • Resource Scavenger Hunt***
  • 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    • Dinner
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 8 p.m.
    • The Drag Show
      • Location: McPherson Auditorium, Goodhart

***Required

  • 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Brunch
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
    • Dinner
      • Location: Erdman or New Dorm Dining Hall
  • 9 p.m.
    • Dorm Meeting***
      • Location: Residence Halls
  • 10 p.m.
    • Roommate Agreements***
      • Location: Residence Halls

*** Required

  • 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Brunch 
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 1-4 p.m.
    • Swim Test, as assigned
      • Location: Bern Schwartz Fitness and Athletic Center, (see dorm schedule for details)
  • Time TBD during Dorm Meeting 
    • Drop-in Hour with Peer Advisor 
      • Location: Residence Halls 

Classes begin!

  • 4:30PM-5:30PM
    • Convocation
      • Location: Senior Row 

 

Parent & Guardian Orientation Schedule

  • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Students move in to assigned residence halls
  • 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Lunch
      • Location: Erdman Dining Hall
  • 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
    • Resource fair for new students & families (Representatives will be present from Alumnae/i Relations and Development, Campus Safety, Career & Civic Engagement Center, Dining Services, Financial Aid, Health and Wellness Center, The Impact Center for Community, Equity, and Understanding, Library & Information Technology Services, Student Accounts)
      • Location: Taylor Drive 
  • 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
    • Snack Break
      • Location: Taylor Drive
  • 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
    • College Life Resource Panel for parents & guardians (Great Hall)***
  • 4 p.m.
    • College Welcome and Reception (Senior Row)***
  • 5 p.m.
    • Students bid families farewell***

***Required