Overview
Students who are accepted into the Honors College as high school seniors attend two summer orientations: a University-wide Freshmen Orientation in June or July and the Honors College Orientation in August.
Attending two orientations prepares our students for their first year on campus and allows them to form friendships early.
University-wide Freshmen Orientation
Freshmen Orientation helps students transition to life on campus. You’ll finalize your class schedule, attend info sessions, receive a student ID and complete other important tasks. For more detailed information, visit the Orientation and Transition Programs website.
Honors College Orientation
Incoming Honors College students move into their residence halls two days before other first-year students arrive on campus and are assigned to an Honors College orientation group. Each group is led by a current Honors College student, who stays in touch with their group of new students throughout the academic year.
Day One: Moving in
Students move into their residence halls in the morning and attend the Dean’s inaugural honors lecture with their families in the afternoon. Students and their families have dinner together before parents and siblings head home. Then, in the evening, orientation groups gather for the first time.
Day Two: Getting to know campus
Orientation groups complete a scavenger hunt and a low-ropes course to get to know each other and campus better. Students meet with departmental honors program directors and honors advisors, attend a session on using technology at UAlbany and then have dinner with their new suitemates.
Day Three: Getting to know Albany
In the morning, students embark on bus tours of downtown Albany and stop at one of three locations: the State Capitol, the State Museum or the Corning Tower and Farmer's Market. In the afternoon, students meet with their resident assistants (RAs) and attend Convocation.