Fall First-Year Student Orientation
The Office of New Student Programs welcomes you to NC State University, a community of achievers rich in tradition and academic excellence.
Welcome, Class of 2027!
To assist you in becoming a part of the Wolfpack, we invite you to attend a First-Year Student Orientation session. Once registration opens and you have paid your Advanced Enrollment Deposit confirming you will attend NC State, you will be able to register for an Orientation session.
This page is for first-year, domestic students beginning at NC State in August 2023. If you are an International student (beginning August 2023), or Spring Connect student (beginning January 2024), view the following pages for Orientation sessions specifically designed for your transition.
Orientation Dates
- Domestic First-Year Orientation sessions are college/program-specific, so you need to attend the appropriate session for the major/college in which you 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 beginning, and there are attendance caps for each session.
- Students are required to attend from 8:00 a.m. on the first day until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the second day. Take travel time into account as you select your session and make plans.
Agricultural Institute
Wednesday, July 19 – Thursday, July 20
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
*Not including students in the Life Sciences First Year Program
Monday, July 24 – Tuesday, July 25 (This session is only available for students majoring in Animal Science)
Tuesday, July 25 – Wednesday, July 26
College of Design
Tuesday, June 20 – Wednesday, June 21
College of Education
Tuesday, June 20 – Wednesday, June 21
College of Engineering
Students majoring in Textile Engineering attend the Orientation for the Wilson College of Textiles (July 19 – 20)
*Students majoring in Paper Science & Engineering attend the Orientation for the College of Natural Resources (July 18 – 19)
Tuesday, June 13 – Wednesday, June 14
Wednesday, June 14 – Thursday, June 15
Thursday, June 15 – Friday, June 16
Wednesday, July 26 – Thursday, July 27
Thursday, July 27 – Friday, July 28
Tuesday, August 1 – Wednesday, August 2
Wednesday, August 2 – Thursday, August 3*
Exploratory Studies – University College
Tuesday, June 27 – Wednesday, June 28
Wednesday, June 28 – Thursday, June 29
Tuesday, July 11 – Wednesday, July 12
Wednesday, July 12 – Thursday, July 13
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Thursday, July 6 – Friday, July 7
Monday, July 10 – Tuesday, July 11
College of Natural Resources
*Includes Paper Science Engineering majors
Tuesday, July 18 – Wednesday, July 19
College of Sciences
*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program
Thursday, July 20 – Friday, July 21
Life Sciences First Year Program
Wednesday, June 21 – Thursday, June 22
Wednesday, July 12 – Thursday, July 13
Thursday, July 13 – Friday, July 14
Poole College of Management
Monday, June 26 – Tuesday, June 27
Monday, July 31 – Tuesday, August 1
Wilson College of Textiles
*Includes Textile Engineering majors
Wednesday, July 19 – Thursday, July 20
Consider Family Orientation
New Student Programs recommends that all students consider registering parents and family members for the concurrent Family Orientation program. This program, designed specifically to assist families with their transition to the Wolfpack, is optional but highly encouraged. Learn more on the Family Orientation webpage.
Housing is NOT included for family members in the First-Year Student fee. They may pay to stay on campus in North Hall or make an off campus reservation at a local hotel.
Visit the Family Housing webpage here for available housing and hotel options.
Cost
The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory First-Year Student Fee charged to all new first-year students. No payment is due to New Student Programs. The First-Year Student Fee will be included in your Fall tuition bill.
- This fee covers your attendance, meals, and one night of overnight accommodations during Orientation. Click “Housing” below to learn more.
- The fee also includes attendance for up to two guests for Family Orientation, including guests’ materials and lunch tickets (up to two per family) for Fountain Dining Hall.
- This does not include overnight housing for family members, but options for family housing during Orientation are available on the Family Housing webpage.
Registration
Register for Orientation
Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advance enrollment deposit can register for orientation. Registration is now open, and 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.
Summer Start
If you are a confirmed participant in the Summer Start program, you will register for the Summer Start Orientation session, which will take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023 and Friday, June 23, 2023. If you need assistance registering for this session, please contact our office at new-students@ncsu.edu.
Registration Instructions:
- Log into your wolfPAW account.
- Click the block on your main portal page that says “New Student Orientation”
- Read the instructions, and select the orientation session you want to attend. Only the session(s) available to you (based on your college and/or major) will be offered as possibilities.
- Click the radio button next to the orientation session.
- Add the number of people attending, including yourself and any family members.
- Fill in guest contact information if you are registering family members.
- Indicate if you need to make a request for accommodations or have concerns about technology.
- Click “Submit.” A confirmation email will be sent to the email you used to log in. Please keep a copy of this email for your records.
- Contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu if you have a conflict with attending your designated Orientation session(s).
Preparing for Orientation
What to Bring
Please bring the following items to Orientation:
- Valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID (to have your Wolfpack One Card campus ID card made)
- Sleeping bag or long twin sheets & blanket
- Pillow
- Towel, washcloth, toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.), and shower shoes
- Make sure you know your Unity ID and password and have answered your three security questions
- Comfortable clothes/sneakers-you will be doing A LOT OF WALKING!
- Alarm clock
- Cell phone charger
- Pen and paper
- Sweater or light jacket as some buildings can be chilly
- Reusable water bottle
- Umbrella
Please leave electronic items (iPad, laptop, etc.) and other valuables at home.
Check-In and Schedule
During New Student Orientation, you will learn about NC State while staying overnight in a residence hall, meeting with college representatives, receiving information about campus resources, and meeting other students.
- Orientation Check-in is from 8:00 am to 8:45 a.m. at Lee Residence Hall, and the majority of the program will take place in Talley Student Union. Day 1 of the Orientation program will run from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Day 2 of the Orientation program will last from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Once you arrive on campus using the directions provided below, Orientation signs will direct you to the parking lots where you able to park throughout the program.
- Meals for students during Orientation (lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second day) are included in the New Student Orientation fee and will be served at Fountain Dining Hall, located near Lee Residence Hall.
View the 2022 First-Year Orientation Schedule here! (2023 Orientation Schedules available in May)
POLICY REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT ORIENTATION: No Alcoholic Beverages Allowed. Orientation participants, as students of North Carolina State University, are subject to the Code of Student Conduct. It mandates that consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages by all persons under the age of 21 is strictly forbidden. This is also the law in the State of North Carolina. Students who disregard this mandate will be held accountable for their behavior and disciplinary actions from the university will result.
Housing
Many students choose to spend the night on campus for the convenience and to preview what it’s like to live in a residence hall; however, it is not a requirement for the Orientation program.
- Students who choose to spend the night on campus will stay in Lee Residence Hall.
- Students who do not choose to spend the night in the residence hall must make arrangements for their own housing.
- The cost to stay in the residence hall during the Orientation program is included in the Orientation fee
- Pre-registration is not required, and students who choose to spend the night on campus will be assigned a room during check-in.
- NOTE: Linens are not provided by University Housing. Students must bring a sleeping bag or long twin sheets & blanket, pillow, towels, etc.
Students who identify as transgender, non-binary, agender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, etc. and who plan to spend the night on campus during Orientation may contact Ronnie Rhodes prior to their arrival to discuss the options available for room assignments. The Orientation staff works with trans students on a case-by-case basis to find the right housing fit for each student.
EARLY ARRIVAL HOUSING: University Housing Conference Services will accommodate students who need to arrive on campus the night before their scheduled orientation session. Registration will open in April.
- Early arrival housing is $21 per person per night.
- Students may submit a reservation through the Conference Services website (available in late-April). Reservations must be made at least five business days in advance of a student’s scheduled orientation session, and pre-payment is required.
- Students arriving early will be placed in their orientation housing assignment at Lee Residence Hall.
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:
- Directions to Lee Parking Lot (2530 Sullivan Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607) can be found using this Waze link.
- Visit the University 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 not accessible to campus from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Obtain Your Orientation Event Permit:
Do not complete this form until you receive your voucher code by email one week before your visit!
ORIENTATION PARKING:
- 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 *Summer Orientation that you are attending*.
- When prompted, enter your Event Voucher Code. Select Confirm. (*Codes will be sent by email one week before your visit)
- Select an available Permit Type
- Select/Confirm your parking dates. Select Confirm.
- Select Location
- Select “Add Vehicle”. Enter vehicle license plate, state, year, make, and model. Review information entered for accuracy and select Add.
- Enter client name and phone number. Select Confirm.
- Select Continue.
- Enter email address to receive confirmation of parking permit.
- Review information. Select Checkout.
Students and families attending Orientation will use a free virtual parking permit that is validated using license plate recognition. The permit will be valid for the Lee Lot and West Lot from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on both days of your session. Parking is free and open to the public after 5:00 pm
Register for your permit before leaving for Orientation (online form available in June 2023), and note that you will 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.
Important Virtual Permit Notes:
- 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 Residence Hall, this permit covers the North Hall lot for both days of your session, and the night before you session (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 which vehicle you are bringing, call the NC State Transportation office at 919.515.3424 to edit 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.
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 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Email new-students@ncsu.edu
- Call 919.515.1234 (Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.