Orientation
We are so excited for you to join our community! Whether you are a new student or transfer, living on campus or commuting from home, doing dual-enrollment or traditional courses – welcome home.
Early Arrival Schedules
Welcome to New Student Orientation!
New Student Orientation is August 22 – 26, 2025. The 2025 Orientation schedule is available below. Review this page in August for any updates.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to [email protected]. We are getting ready for your arrival and can’t wait to welcome you to campus!
| Group | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Resident Move-In | Parking Lot & Robertson Student Center |
|
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Resident Check-In |
Billy Graham Commons |
|
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8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Optional: Heritage Café & Campus Store Open | Billy Graham Commons |
|
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11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Optional: Lunch Available | Billy Graham Commons, Dining Center |
 |
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. |
Commuter Check-In |
Billy Graham Commons |
|
|
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. |
Athlete Welcome Banquet |
Nazareth Hall, Great Room |
|
|
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. | Dual Enrollment Student Check-In | Billy Graham Commons |
|
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1:00 – 1:40 p.m. | Dual Enrollment Session | Totino Center |
|
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2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Welcome to Northwestern! (Track A)* | Totino Center, Knight Hall |
|
|
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
Orientation Group Connect (Track B)* |
Campus Green |
 |
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Traditional Parent Session (Track B)* |
Great Room & Chapel, Nazareth Hall |
|
|
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
Dual Enrollment Parent Session (Track B)* |
Riley Great Room, Riley Hall |
|
|
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. |
Welcome to Northwestern! (Track B)* |
Totino Center, Knight Hall |
|
|
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. |
Orientation Group Connect (Track A)* |
Campus Green |
|
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. |
Traditional Parent Session (Track A)* |
Great Room & Chapel, Nazareth Hall |
|
|
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. |
Dual Enrollment Parent Session (Track A)* |
Riley Great Room, Riley Hall |
|
|
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. |
Family Goodbye |
Totino Center, Outdoor Patio |
|
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4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Student Dinner, with Orientation Groups | Billy Graham Commons & Campus Green |
|
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6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Friday Night Kickoff | Campus Green & Totino Center, Knight Hall |
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8:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Section Meetings |
Residents: Residence Halls Commuters: Heritage Café Dual Enrollment: The Island |
|
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9:00 – 10:30 p.m. | After Hours: Games & Gym | Ericksen Center |
*Students and Guests will be given individual schedules at Check-In with a specific track (A or B). Those tracks will determine the order they attend some events.
New Student Orientation Values
Get started. New undergraduate students (traditional and Dual Enrollment/PSEO) are required to attend New Student Orientation, which begins Friday, August 22 and concludes Tuesday, August 26.
Get support. We want you to feel welcomed, connected, and supported through your transition into college. All programming and events are created with this in mind for you, and we want you to feel free to ask us anything! We’re here for you.
Get connected. We’ll be hosting many different opportunities for you to meet and connect with other students, staff, and faculty before classes officially begin, and we highly encourage you to engage with all this entails during that time! You’ll also hear about ways to get involved all throughout the entire year.
Before You Arrive
Make sure you complete your New Student Checklist. Most steps can be completed through your Admitted Student Portal. If you have questions about any of these steps, let your admission counselor know!
Expectations & Logistics
UNW New Student Orientation takes place Friday, August 22 through Tuesday, August 26. Classes begin on Wednesday, August 27. Plan accordingly! Plan family vacations, camp commitments, work schedules, etc. with this schedule in mind. All new on-campus students are expected to attend all of New Student Orientation.
Keep checking back for early arrival dates and information as we get closer to this summer. Otherwise, you will receive more specific arrival and orientation schedule details in July and August!
Questions?
Contact [email protected]
