Why Orientation?

Looking forward to beginning college? Excited and anticipating a great experience, yet just a little anxious? How is college life different from high school? How challenging are classes? What is there to do on-campus? Will I have help if I need it? When do I register for classes? What is it like to live on-campus? Will I meet people I'll like? Will I be successful?

The answers to these questions and many more are answered when you attend Freshman Orientation.

All new freshmen planning to begin classes in January will attend an Orientation Program on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. This program will include:

• information sessions
• meeting with your academic advisor
• finalizing class registration
• completion of administrative processes (student ID, financial aid, etc)
• learn about campus facilities, services, policies and procedures

Current students, academic advisors and staff look forward to assisting you throughout the day and beyond.

Procedure to sign up for the January freshman orientation: On approximately December 1, 2009, we will begin mailing information about Orientation to all admitted freshmen. To reserve a space in the program, students should follow the directions included in the mailing to complete online Reservation Forms and return them, along with $80 Orientation fee to the Orientation Office. Students will receive a confirmation from the Orientation Office indicating that the student's materials were received and that we are preparing for their arrival. Students will also receive information from the Advisement Services Center via their Albany email account. This information is needed to help freshmen to prepare in advance for their academic advisement meeting. Please note:  Residence halls open on Sunday, January 17, 2010 for those who plan to live on-campus. You may check in at your Quad Office beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Important Dates for Freshmen:

Useful Links

• Advisement Information at http://www.albany.edu/advisement/
• Click on "Undergraduate Bulletin" — lists academic programs, majors, minors http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/academic.html
• Campus Services at http://www.albany.edu/main/index_students_parents.html

Freshmen FAQ's:

• I want to register for classes. Can I do so anytime?

• What kinds of on-campus housing opportunities are available?

• What should I know about University Health Services and required forms?

• Is there a parent orientation program?

I want to register for classes. Can I do so anytime?

You will meet with an academic advisor during Orientation to finalize your class schedule.

Prior to Orientation, you should create a Course Request form and submit it to the Advisement Services Center. Information needed so that you can complete this very important step is included at http://www.albany.edu/advisement/. Click on the "New Freshmen Advisement Information" icon on the left of the page.

What kinds of on-campus housing opportunities are available?

The University offers a variety of exciting on-campus living options for students. These include cable and wireless internet access. Please see our web site at http://www.albany.edu/housing/. To apply for housing for the spring 2010 semester, please complete the application for housing found on that web site.

What should I know about University Health Services and required forms?

Please see http://www.albany.edu/health_center. Click on Health Forms, then "Required Immunization and Health Information" in text on right side to download required forms. These are required for all new students by the 1st day of classes. This is important because New York State law now makes it mandatory that institutions of higher education administratively withdraw students from classes that are not in compliance.

Is there a parents orientation program?

Yes, an optional orientation for parents will be held on Tuesday, January 19th in the morning and a campus tour is offered in the afternoon. This is separate from the student's orientation.  A tentative parent orientation schedule can be accessed here.