New Student Days
We are so excited for you to join our community! Prepare for your transition to UNW before arriving in August.
Join us for New Student Days! New Student Days are Northwestern’s “pre-Orientation” experience, where you can gather information and make connections before arriving at August Orientation. This event is your opportunity to meet other incoming students, plus professors and staff.
At New Student Days, you receive your student ID, tour a dorm and academic buildings, and finish any remaining steps for school in August. You will also connect with services like Housing, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and others.
We hope you leave New Student Days understanding all the ways Northwestern can support your new student experience. Our staff and community are excited to welcome you!
Dates and Registration
New Student Days will be offered four dates in summer 2026. Each event will include the same content. Students should register for one of the event dates below.
New Student Day Dates
- May 21, 2026*
- June 17, 2026
- July 8, 2026
- July 29, 2026
*May 21 falls on a Thursday. All other dates are Wednesdays.
What to Expect
We can’t wait for you to join us! Below is an overview of New Student Days activities. You will receive more communication ahead of your event date letting you know what your schedule will look like.
- Midday: Arrival & Check-In, University Welcome
- Early Afternoon: Sessions, Snack Break, Peer Connections
- Later Afternoon: Breakout sessions, Services Table Fair, Campus Tours
Check-In opens at 12:15 p.m. and your first Session begins at 12:45 p.m. New Student Day programming continues until 5:00 p.m. Check-In is located in the lobby of the Totino Fine Arts Center (3003 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55113 United States).
Frequently Asked Questions
All incoming students must attend a New Student Day Experience. This includes traditional Undergraduate Students, on-campus Dual Enrollment/PSEO students, and new transfer students. (For current on-campus DE/PSEO students who will soon be Traditional students, you are invited to New Student Day but not required.)
Students who currently live more than four hours from UNW may request an exemption from an in-person New Student Day. Exempted students will be given access to a digital New Student Day experience when it becomes available in mid-July.
Yes! For photos submitted ahead of time, Public Safety will have your ID printed and ready to give you. If you didn’t submit a photo or did so last minute, you can have your photo taken and ID printed by visiting the Public Safety table.
You can stop by the Registrar’s Office table to discuss or adjust your schedule.
Visit the IT Service Desk and they will help you get access.
Yes! Student tour guides will be leading visits to our dorms.
Your first session starts at 12:45 p.m. Please come slightly ahead of time to check in. Check in is open for thirty minutes before the first session, opening at 12:15 p.m.
Your parent is more than welcome to come and attend the parent sessions, but that is completely up to you. Some students come with their parent and others come alone.
Yes! Your parent can come for part or all of the event. Take a look at your schedule and see what works best for you both.
More questions?
If you have questions about New Student Days or other Orientation events, please contact orientation@unwsp.edu. For other questions, let your Admissions Counselor know!
Orientation Dates 2026
| Football Early Arrival | August 10 |
| Fall Athlete Early Arrival | August 16 |
| Multicultural Pre-Orientation | August 20 |
| Orientation | August 21-25 |
