Starting May 1, you will receive weekly emails from the Orientation Office with important information about your summer onboarding tasks, tips to prepare for life at UVM, and reminders to help you stay on track. These messages will be sent to your UVM email address and the personal email address you provided on your application. 

The New Student Checklist is your personalized to-do list that outlines everything you need to complete before starting at UVM, like submitting forms, selecting housing, and more. You can access it through your UVM Application Status page at https://admissions.uvm.edu/portal/status. Be sure to check it regularly for updates. 

You can start working on your New Student Checklist as soon as it becomes available after you confirm your enrollment to UVM. We recommend checking it regularly starting in early May to stay on top of important deadlines and tasks. 

A New Student Registration Hold is placed on all new students' accounts to ensure you meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes. Your advisor will remove the hold when it’s time for you to register, typically after your advising appointment during the summer.

All New Student Insight sessions are recorded and captioned. Recordings will then be posted to YouTube and linked on the New Student Insight Session webpage. If you have specific questions about the session, reach out directly to the department that led the session.

You will register for classes when you meet with an academic advisor over the summer from your college or school. Your advisor will help you review your course preferences and finalize your schedule. You’ll receive more information via your UVM email about how to prepare and when your virtual advising meeting will take place. 

Your academic advisor will help you determine which courses to take in your first semester based on your major, interests, and any previous coursework. 

A Pre-Advising Overview Session is a chance to connect with your academic college or school before your course registration appointment. You’ll meet the staff from your student services team, learn about the advising process, and hear about important resources available to you. Sessions for incoming Fall 2025 students will take place from May 27 - June 6, 2025. You can sign up for a session through your New Student Checklist. All sessions will be recorded and posted to the New Student Insight Sessions webpage.

New Student Orientation is a required program that helps you transition to life at UVM. You’ll meet other new students, connect with staff and faculty, learn about campus resources, and get prepared for your first semester. Attending Orientation helps you feel more confident, informed, and ready to start your UVM experience.

New Student Orientation takes place in person on UVM’s campus from August 20 to 24, 2025.

Yes, New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming first-year, transfer, international, and exchange students at UVM.

If you're unable to attend New Student Orientation, it's important to contact the Orientation and Student Advancement Office as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Orientation is a required program for all incoming students at UVM, and the university aims to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate fully.

There is no separate registration for New Student Orientation. All incoming students are automatically expected to attend, and there is no additional cost to participate. Details about your Orientation schedule and what to expect will be shared through your UVM email and the New Student Checklist when available.

If you need accommodations for Orientation, such as disability-related support, dietary needs, or other considerations, please contact both UVM’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and the Orientation Office as early as possible. SAS will help coordinate any accessibility-related needs, and the Orientation team can assist with logistics.

• Student Accessibility Services: access@uvm.edu, 802-656-7753 

• Orientation Office: orientation@uvm.edu, 802-656-4136 

During orientation, you’ll get familiar with campus, meet other new students, connect with staff and faculty, and learn about the resources and support available to you at UVM. You’ll attend helpful sessions to get ready for your classes, explore student life, and start settling into your new community.

Yes! New Student Orientation is a great opportunity to meet other new students, both in your academic college and across campus. You’ll participate in group activities, explore UVM together, and start building connections that can last well beyond your first week.

Yes! Throughout our program you’ll meet fellow new students from your academic college, Learning Community, and even some of the same classes. You’ll also have the chance to connect with faculty, academic staff, and other members of our campus community who are here to support you throughout your UVM journey. 

Yes, transportation and parking will be available during Orientation. Shuttle routes will run throughout campus, and our office will share the shuttle schedule and bus stop details as the program approaches.  

If you’ll be commuting to and from campus each day, you may be eligible for a temporary Orientation parking permit. These permits are valid only for August 20–24, 2025, and do not serve as a parking permit for the academic year. More details on how to request an Orientation parking permit will be shared over the summer. 

Yes, meals during Orientation will accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. You’ll get to eat in various dining halls across campus, and there will be options available for a wide range of dietary needs. If you have specific questions or concerns, you can contact UVM’s registered dietitian, Ania Egan, at Ania.Egan@uvm.edu.

If you have temporary needs, such as an injury that requires accommodations during Orientation, please contact both UVM’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and the Orientation Office as soon as possible. Our teams will work together to make sure you’re supported during the program. 

• Student Accessibility Services: access@uvm.edu, 802-656-7753 

• Orientation Office: orientation@uvm.edu, 802-656-4136 

You don’t need to bring much with you to Orientation, but we recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes for walking around campus. It’s also a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle and a raincoat or umbrella in case of rainy weather.

Orientation is a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes for walking around campus. Be sure to check the weather forecast and bring a raincoat or umbrella if needed. Layers are also a good idea, as some buildings can be chilly with air conditioning.

If you still have questions after Orientation, don’t worry, support doesn’t end there! You can always reach out to your Orientation Leaders, and our office is here to help throughout your entire transition to UVM. Stop by and see us in Living/Learning 227, right next to the Fireplace Lounge on Athletic Campus, or contact us anytime at orientation@uvm.edu or 802-656-4136. We're always happy to help!

You can view your transfer credits in your myUVM portal under the Academic Records card. This will show which of your previous courses have been accepted and how they apply to your degree. If you have questions about your transfer credits, contact the Office of Transfer Affairs at transfer@uvm.edu.

As a transfer student, your academic advisor will reach out to you directly via your UVM email to schedule your course registration appointment. Be sure to check your inbox regularly. If you have specific questions before then, you can also contact the Student Services team in your academic college or school.

A Pre-Advising Overview Session is a chance to connect with your academic college or school before your course registration appointment. You’ll meet the staff from your student services team, learn about the advising process, and hear about important resources available to you. Sessions for incoming Fall 2025 students will take place from May 27 - June 6, 2025. You can sign up for a session through your New Student Checklist. All sessions will be recorded and posted to the New Student Insight Sessions webpage.

Yes, New Student Orientation is required for all incoming transfer students.

There isn’t a separate Orientation for transfer students, but there are transfer-specific sessions, social events, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other transfer students. Additionally, there will be other new transfer students in your Orientation group.

Families and supporters of new students receive a copy of the weekly Orientation emails sent to students. Separate communications are also sent throughout the summer specifically for families and supporters, with information and tips to help you support your student as they transition to UVM.

The New Student Checklist is only accessible to the student through their UVM Application Status portal. Families and supporters are encouraged to talk with their student about checklist items and deadlines to stay informed and involved in the onboarding process.

Families and supporters play an important role in encouraging and guiding their student through the onboarding process. While students are responsible for completing their own tasks, families and supporters can help by staying informed, offering reminders, and being a source of support as their student prepares to join the UVM community.

Yes, there is an optional in-person Family & Supporter Orientation program held on each move-in day, August 20^th & 21^st. This event offers a warm welcome and helpful insights as your student settles into life at UVM. A full schedule and RSVP information will be shared closer to the event. Learn more at www.uvm.edu/orientation/families-and-supporters.

Families and supporters do not attend full New Student Orientation program with their student. There is a separate optional Family & Supporter Orientation offered on both move-in days, August 20^th & 21^st, with sessions designed specifically for families and supporters.

There is not a fee to attend the Family & Supporter Orientation program, but an RSVP form will be sent out closer to move-in day to help us plan for the number of attendees.