New Student Orientation
By choosing SDSU, you've opened yourself up to endless opportunities and a fantastic future. And it all starts here — with New Student Orientation. We have great programs designed to help you prepare for life at State, from academics to extracurricular and everything in between.
Hey, New Jacks! New Student Orientation registration for fall 2025 admits is now open for new and transfer students!
Is orientation required?
Yes. All new, transfer and readmit students must attend an in-person orientation session at SDSU. For summer 2024, we have 11 first-time student sessions and three transfer/readmit student orientation sessions scheduled for students new to SDSU.
Why is attendance at orientation required?
College in general is a huge transition for our new students, and New Student Orientation is designed to help you make that transition to our university as seamless as possible. Course registration is a major part of our orientation programs, and we'll make sure you're talking with people that are best suited to assist you in putting your class schedule together.
In addition to registration, you're going to connect with other students; get familiar with campus services; and tie up some loose ends when you pick your meal plan, get your MyJacks ID mobile credentials and learn about parking options. In short, you're going to gain a lot from this experience and leave prepared for the academic and social opportunities that await you next semester.
What will I do at orientation?
Check out the complete New Student Orientation schedule in the menu to find out exactly what we have in store for you.
Can parents/guardians/family/friends come to orientation?
Definitely. While parent/guardian attendance isn't required, we encourage those who can come to do so. College is often a family decision, and we want everyone in the family to feel comfortable with SDSU and its offerings.
Can I attend orientation with a friend?
Absolutely. We recommend that you sign up for your session at the same time as they do fill up on a first-come, first-served basis.
What should I wear to orientation?
There is not a specific dress code for New Student Orientation. We encourage you to pack clothing and shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the weather on those days. Keep in mind that you will be spending the majority of your time indoors, but you may also head outside to get to various buildings on campus.
Is there a cost to attend orientation?
No. Attendance at orientation is free.
My older sibling already went through orientation at SDSU. Can she/he just tell me how to do everything?
While we totally recommend that you turn to your sibling as a resource for advice and information on his/her experience at New Student Orientation and SDSU in general, you still need the benefit of going through this process yourself. Information can change from year to year, and experiences are different for every student — make the most of yours!
We've got lots of resources to help New Jacks be successful in college.
