Fall 2025 First-Year Family Orientation
The Office of New Student Programs welcomes you to NC State University, a community of achievers, rich in tradition and academic excellence.
Welcome to NC State!
To assist you and your family as new members of this community, we invite you to attend a Family Orientation session. These sessions are designed specifically for parents and families of first-year, domestic students beginning at NC State in August 2025. While students are attending New Student Orientation, family members can attend Family Orientation.
Registration for Fall 2025 Orientation is now open!
View Orientation dates and registration information below.
Orientation Dates
- Domestic First-Year Orientation sessions are college/program-specific, so students need to attend the appropriate session for the major/college in which they are currently enrolled. Students can attend any of the sessions designated for their college (e.g. students in the College of Engineering can attend any of the various Engineering sessions).
- Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are attendance caps for each session.
- Students are required to attend from approximately 8:00 a.m. on the first day until approximately midday on the second day. Take travel time into account as they select their session, and make plans.
Agricultural Institute
- Monday, June 16 – Tuesday, June 17
- Wednesday, July 9 – Thursday, July 10
- Thursday, July 17 – Friday, July 18
- Wednesday, July 30 – Thursday, July 31
Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Wednesday, June 11 – Thursday, June 12
- Thursday, June 26 – Friday, June 27
- Thursday, July 10 – Friday, July 11
- Tuesday, July 22 – Wednesday, July 23
*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program
Design
- Tuesday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 18
- Tuesday, June 24 – Wednesday, June 25
- Tuesday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 16
- Monday, July 28 – Tuesday, July 29
Education
- Wednesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 19
- Monday, June 23 – Tuesday, June 24
- Wednesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 17
- Thursday, July 24 – Friday, July 25
Engineering
- Tuesday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 18
- Wednesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 19
- Monday, June 23 – Tuesday, June 24
- Tuesday, June 24 – Wednesday, June 25
- Tuesday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 16
- Wednesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 17
- Thursday, July 24 – Friday, July 25
- Monday, July 28 – Tuesday, July 29
*Students majoring in Textile Engineering attend an Orientation session for the Wilson College of Textiles
*Students majoring in Paper Science Engineering attend an Orientation session for the College of Natural Resources
Environmental First Year
- Tuesday, June 10 – Wednesday, June 11
- Monday, July 7 – Tuesday, July 8
- Monday, July 21 – Tuesday, July 22
- Tuesday, July 29 – Wednesday, July 30
Humanities and Social Sciences
- Wednesday, June 11 – Thursday, June 12
- Thursday, June 26 – Friday, June 27
- Thursday, July 10 – Friday, July 11
- Tuesday, July 22 – Wednesday, July 23
Life Sciences First Year Program
- Tuesday, June 10 – Wednesday, June 11
- Monday, July 7 – Tuesday, July 8
- Monday, July 21 – Tuesday, July 22
- Tuesday, July 29 – Wednesday, July 30
Natural Resources
- Tuesday, June 10 – Wednesday, June 11
- Monday, July 7 – Tuesday, July 8
- Monday, July 21 – Tuesday, July 22
- Tuesday, July 29 – Wednesday, July 30
*College of Natural Resources session includes Paper Science Engineering majors
*Students majoring in Environmental First Year Undeclared or Environmental First Biological Sciences Intended should locate orientation dates above under the heading Environmental First Year
Poole College of Management
- Monday, June 16 – Tuesday, June 17
- Wednesday, July 9 – Thursday, July 10
- Thursday, July 17 – Friday, July 18
- Wednesday, July 30 – Thursday, July 31
Sciences
- Monday, June 16 – Tuesday, June 17
- Wednesday, July 9 – Thursday, July 10
- Thursday, July 17 – Friday, July 18
- Wednesday, July 30 – Thursday, July 31
*Students majoring in Environmental First Year Undeclared or Environmental First Biological Sciences Intended should locate orientation dates above under the heading Environmental First Year
*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates above under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program
University College (Incl. Exploratory Studies and Music Technology)
- Thursday, June 12 – Friday, June 13
- Wednesday, June 25 – Thursday, June 26
- Tuesday, July 8 – Wednesday, July 9
- Wednesday, July 23 – Thursday, July 24
Wilson College of Textiles
- Thursday, June 12 – Friday, June 13
- Wednesday, June 25 – Thursday, June 26
- Tuesday, July 8 – Wednesday, July 9
- Wednesday, July 23 – Thursday, July 24
*Wilson College of Textiles sessions include Textiles Engineering majors
About Family Orientation
Who Should Attend
Family Orientation is designed for those who will serve as a student’s primary support throughout their transition to the university. During the program, attendees will:
- Get better acquainted with the academic programs and campus services offered to your student
- Gain insights into the potential adjustments your new college student and your family will face
- Meet NC State staff, current students, and other Family Orientation attendees
Can children or young adults attend the program? Children and young adults are welcome to attend Family Orientation, but the majority of the sessions are presented in a lecture format and may not be engaging for them. Please note: Children and young adults in attendance should be supervised at all times by their family members while on our campus for Family Orientation.
Will students and guests be together during the program? Guests should not expect to be with their student throughout the entire program. Some sessions of New Student and Family Orientation will overlap, but the majority of presentations and activities are separate.
Cost
The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory, non-refundable First-Year Student Fee charged to all new first-year students.
- This fee covers your student’s attendance and the attendance of up to two guests, which includes your materials and lunch tickets (up to two per family) for Fountain Dining Hall.
- This fee does not include overnight housing for family members. See the “Housing” section below for a list of options.
- No payment is due to New Student Programs. The First-Year Student Fee will be included in your student’s fall tuition bill.
Registration
Registration for Family Orientation is tied to the student’s registration for orientation. Therefore, the student should register guests for Family Orientation at the same time that the student registers for New Student Orientation. They can find instructions on the New Student Orientation webpage.
Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent to the student’s and guest’s email address. Please keep a copy of this email for your records.
Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advanced enrollment deposit can register for orientation. All accepted students who have paid their deposit will receive an email inviting them to register. Students should expect to receive their invitation email within three days after submitting their deposit once registration is open.
Summer Start Students
If your student is a confirmed participant in the Summer Start program, they will register for the Summer Start Orientation session, which will take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025 and Friday, June 20, 2025. If your student needs assistance registering for this session, please contact our office at new-students@ncsu.edu.
Check-In and Schedule
Family Orientation will run from approximately 8:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. on Day 1 and from approximately 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Day 2.
- Check-in is from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at Lee Residence Hall.
- Once you arrive on campus using the directions provided below, Orientation signs will direct you to the parking lots where you are able to park throughout the program.
- The majority of the program will take place in Talley Student Union.
- Lunch for up to two Family Orientation guests on Day 1 at Fountain Dining Hall is included in the First-Year Student Fee. Additional meals for family members are available for purchase throughout Orientation at respective dining locations. All student meals (lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second day) are included in the First-Year Student Fee.
Resources that will be covered at Family Orientation include:
- Dining, Bookstore, and Student ID Card
- Campus Safety
- Your Student’s Academic College or Program
- Campus Health
- Cashier’s Office
- Living at NC State
For an idea of what to expect, view the 2025 First-Year Family Orientation schedule.
Housing and Hotels
You have several options to consider when making overnight accommodations for Family Orientation. Housing for family members is not included in the First-Year Student Fee.
- Option 1: Pay to stay on campus in North Hall. Reservations are required and must be made in advance using University Housing’s request form. Payment must be made no later than five days in advance of your arrival. Registration will be live in early-April and is on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.
- Option 2: Make an off-campus reservation at a local hotel. Parents and Families Services provides a list of local hotels offering discounts to NC State families. Note: NC State does not endorse any particular entities that are not part of NC State. The University has no responsibility with respect to any entities, or the housing or services they offer.
Visit the Family Housing webpage for more information on available housing and hotel options.
Student Housing: Learn more about student housing at Orientation on the New Student Orientation webpage. Students staying on campus must provide their own linens (e.g., bedding, towels, etc.) when staying on campus.
Directions and Parking Permit
Orientation participants may park on campus in the Lee Lot/West Lot areas located off of Sullivan Drive. The parking lot address is 2530 Sullivan Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607.
HOW TO GET TO NC STATE:
- You can use this Waze link to find directions to Lee Parking Lot (2530 Sullivan Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607)
- Visit the Transportation website for road construction updates/closings.
- Please do not try to enter campus via Dan Allen Drive from Hillsborough Street. The road is gated and closed at all times.
ORIENTATION PARKING:
Students and families attending Orientation will use a free virtual parking permit validated using license plate recognition. The permit is valid for the Lee Lot and West Lot from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days of your session. Parking is free and open to the public in these lots after 5:00 p.m.
You will receive an email with instructions on registering for your parking permit approximately 10 days before your orientation session. You should register before leaving for Orientation. Please note that you need your license plate information to complete the online form. If you are bringing guests for Family Orientation, please only complete this online registration form once for each vehicle that will need parking during Orientation
HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR VIRTUAL PERMIT:
- Visit Go.ncsu.edu/EventParking
- Ensure you are logged out of your parking account.
- Select “Purchase Event Permit”
- Agree to the Terms of Service
- Select “Orientation”
- Select the date(s) of the Orientation you are attending.
- When prompted, enter Orientation2025 as the Event Voucher Code. The code is case-sensitive
and must be entered exactly as shown. Select Apply Voucher. - Select an available Permit Type (this will populate above the voucher code field in the gray box).
- Select/Confirm your parking dates. Select Confirm.
- Select the Location
- Select “Add Vehicle”. Enter vehicle license plate, state, year, make, and model. Review
information entered for accuracy and select Add. - Enter name and phone number. Select Confirm.
- Select Continue.
- Enter email address and billing information.
- Review information. Select Checkout.
Important Virtual Permit Notes:
- Remember, the permit is virtual, so your license plate is your permit. Do not back-in or pull-through to park without a front plate. The license plate must face the traffic lane.
- The permit is valid only for the vehicle entered in the system. The permit is not valid in pay-by-plate locations.
- This permit is free for guests, and you should not need to enter credit card information. If you use a credit card to purchase another permit in error, refunds are not available.
- If you registered for “Early Arrival” housing for the night before your Orientation session, you do not need to register your vehicle for an additional day of parking. You will be able to park in Lee Lot or West Lot the night before your session (no earlier than 5:00 p.m.).
- If you registered for “Family Housing” at North Hall, this permit covers the parking lot on both days of your session and the night before (no earlier than 5:00 p.m.)
- Accessible parking is available. It is only valid when a state-issued placard is displayed in your vehicle and you have registered for an accessible virtual Orientation permit through NC State (instructions above).
- If you change your Orientation session date or need to change the vehicle you are bringing, email the NC State Transportation office at ncsu-transportation@ncsu.edu to update your permit.
- If you will be using a rental car, wait to register for a virtual permit until you have the vehicle and its license plate information.
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
In compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the New Student and Family Orientation program, please contact Laila Mohamed at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions throughout the summer about orientation or your transition to NC State, contact New Student Programs via:
- Text 833.712.1255 (Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Email new-students@ncsu.edu
- Call 919.515.1234 (Weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.)