Orientation

Orientation is your first step as you journey into college and find a sense of belonging at Wellesley. The New Student Orientation (NSO) program will have something for all of our new students, including first-year, transfer, Davis Scholar, and exchange students. The program includes social and educational events, small group conversations, and fun activities that will enrich your Wellesley experience and help you feel at home in our diverse community.

We cannot wait to welcome you into this community! We will be updated our website regularly with information for incoming students, so be sure to come back regularly. 

ABOUT THIS YEAR'S ORIENTATION THEME:

The 2024 Orientation theme, Courage to Grow, and its corresponding design came from a place of hope for your time here. The hope that you are brave enough to stretch—to allow yourself to be swept into the current of self-discovery, holding tightly to the things that bring you joy and releasing the need to be perfect. There will be moments to reach out for a life-line and moments when you have to ride the wave yourself to find your way. All of this will take courage. Courage to embrace the process. Courage to ask questions, advocate for yourself, and learn new ways of living. Courage to extend kindness into places that might not deserve it. Courage to look silly. Courage to connect. Courage to not know. Courage to love who you are, right now, in this moment. As you look towards your future here at Wellesley College we hope, above all, you have the Courage to Grow.

Our virtual New Student Orientation (VNSO) is designed to help entering students feel prepared as they enter the college experience here at Wellesley. On July 29, students will be invited to join our virtual Orientation platform via email. During this time, students will meet their Orientation Mentor (OM) Group (composed of fellow entering students!) and begin connecting with their assigned student leader, aka, their OM. Students will also receive all sorts of information and resources via the Orientation platform. Content will be posted daily, but you are not required to check it every day. We recommend checking it at least once a week until you get to campus. 

In addition to these resources, we are hosting live events every Tuesday night at 8:00 PM EST via Zoom, starting on July 30. In these live events, students will meet key department leaders who will help answer important questions as you transition into this community. These will be recorded and posted in our Orientation platform and are not required events (although we strongly encourage you to attend!). 

Friday, August 23 | International Student Move-in

Sat, August 24 - Tuesday, August 27 | International Student Orientation

Incoming students who hold a non-immigrant visa such as F-1, J-1, L-2, etc. are required to attend Wellesley’s International Student Orientation (ISO) from Saturday, August 24 to Tuesday, August 27. Registration to attend ISO is required for non-immigrant students.

ISO is optional for other students who may identify as international. However, please note that due to capacity restrictions, U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who identify as international who register will be placed on a waiting list. We will contact you by early July to confirm whether or not you are approved to attend ISO 2024. We strongly recommend that you either wait to purchase flight tickets or purchase travel insurance.

Wednesday, August 28 | Opening Day

Domestic Student move-in day will include programming for parents and families, including a Welcome Ceremony and a Parent Reception. Students will continue to engage in Orientation programming that night through Sunday, September 1. 

Thursday, August 29 - Sunday, September 1, 2024 | New Student Orientation Programming

The New Student Orientation (NSO) program will have something for all of our new students, including first-year, Davis Scholar, transfer and exchange students. The program includes social and educational events, small group conversations, and fun activities that will enrich your Wellesley experience and help you feel at home in our diverse community. Attendance at New Student Orientation is mandatory.