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Fall 2024 International Student Orientation

The Offices of New Student Programs and International Services (OIS) welcome you to NC State University, a community of achievers rich in tradition and academic excellence.

Orientation, a three-day program, will help you prepare for your transition into the United States and college life, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead—intellectually, emotionally, academically, and socially.

International Orientation is only for first-year and transfer international students on F-1 or J-1 visas and is required.

August Orientation for international students will take place Wednesday, August 14, 2024 through Friday, August 16, 2024. Orientation will begin with check-in on Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Talley Student Union and will run until approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory, non-refundable fees charged to all new first-year and transfer international students. All incoming first-year and transfer international students will pay the following fees:

  • First-Year Students will pay the First-Year Student Fee and the International Orientation Fee
  • Transfer Students will pay the Transfer Student Fee and the International Orientation Fee

Notes About Fees:

  • These fees cover 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. More information about housing options for families can be found on the Family Housing website.
  • No payment is due to New Student Programs. The mandatory, non-refundable fees will be included in your fall tuition bill.

Register for International 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:

  •  First-Year Students: Thursday, June 20, 2024 and Friday, June 21, 2024
  • Transfer Students: 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 International Family Orientation webpage.

Housing is not included for family members in the new international student fees. More information about housing options for families can be found on the Family Housing website.

Preparing For Orientation

Please bring the following items to Orientation:

  • Valid government-issued photo ID (to have your Wolfpack One Card campus ID card made)
  • 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
  • Sweater or light jacket, as some buildings can be chilly
  • Umbrella and/or rain jacket

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

During International Student Orientation, students will learn about transitioning to the United States and NC State University while learning about topics such as immigration status and academic success, meeting with their college representatives, receiving information about campus resources, and meeting other students. The Orientation program will begin on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in Talley Student Union and will conclude on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 

View the 2023 August Orientation Schedules below! (2024 Orientation Schedules available in late July)

Housing is only provided for those students living in University Housing. Students not living in University Housing must make their own arrangements.

  • Students can stay in their residence hall if they are living on campus for the fall 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 on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.  
  • Check-in at your residence hall’s designated early check-in location (locations available in early August) to get your keys.

For a list of local hotels offering discounts for Orientation attendees, visit the Parents and Families Services website.

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.

PARKING FOR UNIVERSITY HOUSING MOVE-IN

Details will be available in July 2024

PARKING FOR ORIENTATION (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024 through FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024)

Orientation participants may park on campus in the Coliseum Parking Deck entering via Jensen Drive. The parking lot address is 201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606. Students and families will use a free virtual parking permit that is validated using license plate recognition. The permit will be valid from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for all three 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.
  • 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.

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 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

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.

Office of International Services

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Coming August 2024