Spring 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. Through programs like New Student Orientation and Winter Welcome Week, we hope to provide you with the information and experiences to be prepared and excited to begin your college experience.

After paying your Advanced Enrollment Deposit confirming you are coming to NC State, be sure to complete the following:

  1. Read through this webpage to become familiar with Orientation details
  2. Register for Orientation on Friday, January 3, 2020 by completing the online registration form
  3. Review the New Student Checklist which will guide you through tasks you need to complete before starting in January
    1. Checklist for students admitted in Spring 2019 for Spring 2020 (Spring Connect)
    2. Checklist for students admitted in Fall 2019 for Spring 2020
  4. Review instructions for academic advising and course registration below. Students who attend Spring Orientation should complete their class registration process during the fall before coming to campus.
  5. Register your vehicle for a virtual Orientation parking permit using the instructions below.
  6. Download the mobile guide on the NC State University Guides app and customize your orientation schedule!

Questions? Contact New Student Programs at 919.515.1234 or new-students@ncsu.edu. The University will be closed on the following days, so please keep this in mind when requesting assistance via phone or email:

  • Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2019 for Thanksgiving
  • Monday, December 23, 2019 – Friday, December 27, 2019 for the Winter Holiday
  • Wednesday, January 1, 2020 for New Years Day

Date

Spring Orientation for incoming first-year students will take place on Friday, January 3, 2020.

  • Check-In: 8:30a.m. – 9:15a.m. in Talley Student Union
  • Required programming will take place until 8:30pm (Lunch and Dinner will be provided)
  • Optional social program will take place from 8:30pm-9:30pm

Note for International Students: International first-year students will have a meeting with the Office of International Services during First-Year Orientation.

Cost

The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory First-Year Student Fee charged to all new first-year students.

  • This fee covers your attendance and the attendance of 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. Click here for a list of local hotels offering discounts to Orientation attendees.
  • No payment is due to New Student Programs. The First-Year Student Fee will be included in your Spring tuition bill.

NOTE for students admitted in November: Please review the Late Registration Billing and Payment Policy from the Cashier’s Office website.

Registration

New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students. Only those students who have been accepted and paid their advanced enrollment deposit ($300.00) can register for Orientation. Registration is open, and all students who have paid their deposit will receive an email inviting them to register for Orientation.

To register for Orientation:

  • Log into the Orientation registration system
  • Read the instructions and select the Spring Orientation session (January 3). Note: This will be the only the session available to you.
  • Contact New Student Programs at 919.515.1234 immediately if you have a conflict with attending Orientation.

Update (December 30, 2019): Nametags and materials for the January 3rd Family Orientation have already been prepared. Family members are welcome to register on site at Orientation Check-In, but we do not recommend registering them online at this time. 

Important Notes:

  • After paying your Enrollment Deposit, please allow two days for processing before attempting to register for Spring Orientation.
  • If you are having difficulty with the registration process or would prefer to register over the phone, please call New Student Programs at 919.515.1234.
  • If you will not be attending NC State you must notify the office of Undergraduate Admissions. (Email: undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu).

Check-In and Schedule

During New Student Orientation, students will learn about NC State while meeting their college representatives, receiving information about campus resources and meeting other students. Download a detailed PDF Schedule

  • Orientation Check-in is from 8:30-9:15a.m. in Talley Student Union.
  • We recommend arriving early to take your Wolfpack One Card (student ID) photo and to visit with campus departments at the Information Fair.
  • Once you arrive on campus using the directions provided below, Orientation signs will direct you to the parking lots where you able to park during your Orientation.
  • Lunch and dinner for students is included in the New Student Orientation fee and will be served at Fountain Dining Hall.
  • Students should plan on required orientation programming running until 8:30p.m. that day. Optional social programming for students will follow until 9:30p.m.
  • If your family members attend Family Orientation, their programming will end at 5:00p.m.

Note for International Students: International first-year students will have a meeting with the Office of International Services during First-Year Orientation.

International Students

International first-year students will attend Orientation on Friday, January 3 with domestic students, and the schedule will include a meeting with the Office of International Services. Additionally, students must complete a required OIS Check-In.  Please visit this website for more information and instructions on how to register.

Download the International Pre-Arrival Guide from OIS to help you prepare for your arrival.

Housing

Housing is only provided for those students living in University Housing. Students not living in University Housing must make their own arrangements for housing. Students can stay in their residence hall if they are living on campus for the spring semester or they may arrange other housing in the area.

If you are living in University Housing, please note that you will be able to move into your residence hall room beginning at 3:00p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2020. When you arrive, check in at your building’s 24-hour service desk. Packing tips, move-in parking permit registration, and other details are available on the University Housing Spring Move-In Website, and additional information will be emailed to you from University Housing if you have signed up to live on campus. If you have any questions, contact University Housing at 919.515.2440 or housing@ncsu.edu.

If you or your family require hotel accommodations, a list of local hotels that offer discounts can be found through Parents & Families Services.

Directions and Parking Permit

Orientation participants may park on campus in the Coliseum Parking Deck entering via Jensen Drive on Friday, January 3, 2020. The parking lot address is 201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.

For Move-In parking information for Thursday, January 2, visit the University Housing Move-In Guide website.

How to get to NC State:

  • Directions to the Coliseum Parking Deck (201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607) can be found using this Waze Link or on the NC State Campus Map interactive website.
  • 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 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Orientation Parking Permit:

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 Coliseum Parking Deck from 7:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. on Friday, January 3, and parking is free after 5:00p.m.

Register for your permit before leaving for Orientation using the following instructions, 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.

How to Obtain Your Orientation Event Permit:

  1. Visit go.ncsu.edu/EventParking
  2. Select “Purchase Event Permit” (Note: Permit is Free)
  3. Agree to the Terms of Service
  4. Select “Orientation” as the event category
  5. Select “Spring First-Year Orientation 1/3” as your event
  6. When prompted enter Springfirstyear2020 as the Event Voucher Code. The code is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown. Click Confirm.
  7. Select Permit Type
  8. Select 1/3/2020 as the session start date
  9. Select 1/3/2020 as the session end date. Click Confirm.
  10. Select Location
  11. Click “Add Vehicle”. Enter vehicle license plate, state, year and make. Click Add.
  12. Enter Client Name and Phone Number. Click Confirm.
  13. Review information entered for accuracy and click continue.
  14. Enter email address to receive, confirmation of parking permit. Click Checkout. Remember, the permit is virtual, so your license plate is your permit and no paper permit is required. Permit is only valid only for the vehicle entered.

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.
  • 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 need to change which vehicle you are bringing after registering, 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 once you have the vehicle and its license plate information.

What to Bring

  • Valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID (to have your Wolfpack One Card campus ID card made)
  • Copies of your AP/IB/SAT II scores if available
  • 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!
  • Pen and paper
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Umbrella
  • Please leave electronic items (iPad, laptop, etc.) and other valuables at home or in your residence hall room.

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 about Spring First-Year Family Orientation here.

Update (December 30, 2019): Nametags and materials for the January 3rd Family Orientation have already been prepared. Family members are welcome to register on site at Orientation Check-In, but we do not recommend registering them online at this time. 

Housing is NOT included for family members in the First-Year Student fee. Click here for a list of local hotels offering discounts through Parents and Families Services.

Advising and Course Registration

Find out if you should contact your academic advisor and register for classes prior to attending Spring Orientation. Instructions can be found on the page that corresponds with when you were admitted to the university:

Mobile Guide

Download the NC State University Guides app on your smartphone to access the “2020 New Students” mobile guide. It gives you on-the-go information related to your transition to NC State including Orientation schedules, important dates, and more! Click here for download instructions.

Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you are a student or guest attending a New Student Programs event, have a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or other accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreter, large print, etc.) to participate in this event, please contact Lori Wilson at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.

It is recommended that requests be made before Friday, December 20, 2019 as the office will be closed for the University Holidays December 23-27, 2019.