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Fall 2024 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 2028!

To assist you in becoming a part of the Wolfpack, we invite you to attend a New Student Orientation session. Once 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 2024. If you are an International student on a F-1 or J-1 visa (beginning August 2024), or Spring Connect student (beginning January 2025), 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, and there are attendance caps for each session.
  • Students are required to attend from 8:30 a.m. on the first day until 12:30 p.m. on the second day. Take travel time into account as you select your session, and make plans.
  • Monday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 23
  • Tuesday, July 23 – Wednesday, July 24
  • Wednesday, July 24 – Thursday, July 25 (Note: This session is only available for students majoring in Animal Science)

*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program

  • Monday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 9
  • Monday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 9
  • Tuesday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 12
  • Wednesday, June 12 – Thursday, June 13
  • Thursday, June 13 – Friday, June 14
  • Monday, June 17 – Tuesday, June 18
  • Monday, July 29 – Tuesday, July 30
  • Tuesday, July 30 – Wednesday, July 31
  • Wednesday, July 31 – Thursday, August 1

*Students majoring in Textile Engineering attend the Orientation for the Wilson College of Textiles

*Students majoring in Paper Science Engineering attend the Orientation for the College of Natural Resources

  • Wednesday, July 10 – Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, July 11 – Friday, July 12
  • Monday, June 24 – Tuesday, June 25
  • Wednesday, July 17 – Thursday, July 18
  • Thursday, July 18 – Friday, July 19
  • Thursday, July 25 – Friday, July 26

*College of Natural Resources session includes Paper Science Engineering majors

  • Tuesday June 25 – Wednesday, June 26
  • Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10
  • Monday, July 15 – Tuesday, July 16

*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates above under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program

  • Wednesday, June 26 – Thursday, June 27
  • Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28
  • Tuesday, July 16 – Wednesday, July 17
  • Wednesday, July 17 – Thursday, July 18
  • Monday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 23

*Wilson College of Textiles sessions include Textiles Engineering majors

Registering for Orientation

The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory, non-refundable 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. Please note: By attending New Student Orientation programs, students will be responsible for paying the First Year Student Fee whether or not they continue their enrollment at NC State University in the fall semester. This fee is non-refundable.

  • 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 fee does not include overnight housing for family members, but options for family housing during Orientation are available on the Family Housing webpage.

Register for New Student Orientation

Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advanced 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 20, 2024 and Friday, June 21, 2024. 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).

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 the Avent Ferry Complex or make an off-campus reservation at a local hotel. 

Visit the Family Housing webpage for available housing and hotel options.

Preparing for Orientation

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)
  • Comfortable clothes/sneakers – you will be doing a lot of walking!
  • Umbrella and/or rain jacket
  • Linens and toiletries (if spending the night in the residence hall)
    • 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
  • Alarm clock
  • Cell phone charger
  • Pen and paper
  • Sweater or light jacket, as some buildings can be chilly
  • Reusable water bottle

Please leave valuables at home, including electronic items (iPad, laptop, etc.).

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 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 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 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., and Day 2 of the Orientation program will last from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 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 First-Year Student Fee and will be served at Fountain Dining Hall, located near Lee Residence Hall.

For an idea of what to expect, view the 2023 First-Year Orientation Schedule. The 2024 Orientation schedule will be available in May.

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 First-Year Student 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 and 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 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. If a student’s family is staying in University Housing’s family housing (located in Avent Ferry Complex) or another hotel/accommodation in the area, the student may stay with them there for that additional night instead.

  • Early arrival housing is $21 per person per night.
  • Students may submit a reservation through the Conference Services website.
    • If not already logged in, use your Student SSO login to complete your request.
    • Navigate to “Forms” in the top navigation of the page.
    • If not selected, select “2024-2025 Academic Year” in the term selector screen.
    • Search for “New Student Orientation Early Arrival” in the Form Selector, and complete the form.
  • Reservations must be made at least five business days in advance of a student’s scheduled orientation session, and the cost will be added to your student housing account.
  • Students arriving early will be placed in their orientation housing assignment at Lee Residence Hall.
  • If you have additional questions regarding early arrival housing or any technical issues, please reach out to the Conference Services office via phone at 919.515.4398 or email at guestservices@ncsu.edu.

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.

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.

ORIENTATION PARKING:

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 p.m.

You will receive an email with instructions to register for your parking permit approximately 10 days prior to your scheduled Orientation session, and you should register before leaving for Orientation. Please 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 Avent Ferry Complex, this permit covers the Avent Ferry Complex parking lot for both days of your session, and the night before your 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.

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 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)