August Orientation for international students will take place Wednesday, August 12, 2026 through Friday, August 14, 2026. Orientation will begin with check-in on Wednesday morning at approximately 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.

Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advanced enrollment deposit can register for orientation. Students should expect to receive their invitation email within four 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 25, 2026 and Friday, June 26, 2026
• Transfer Students: Friday, June 26, 2026

If you need assistance registering for this session, please contact our office at new-students@ncsu.edu.

Registration Instructions:

• Log into your wolfPAW portal.
• Scroll down your main portal page and click the block that says “New Student Orientation.”
  • If on a desktop, it will be on the righthand side under “New Student Checklist” with a photo of the NC State seal.
  • If on a mobile device, it will be at the bottom below the “New Student Checklist.”
• 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 “Register me for this orientation session.”
• Add the number of people attending, including yourself and any family members.
• Fill in any guest contact information.
• Indicate if you need to make a request for accommodations.
• 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.

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 12, 2026 at approximately 8:30 a.m. in Talley Student Union and will conclude on Friday, August 14, 2026 at approximately 5:00 p.m. 

For an idea of what to expect, view the 2025 August Orientation Schedules below. (2026 schedule coming this summer)

• 2025 First-Year International Orientation Schedule
• 2025 Transfer International Orientation Schedule

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 11, 2026.  
• 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.

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.

PARKING FOR ORIENTATION (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026 through FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026)

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.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR VIRTUAL PERMIT:

1. Visit Go.ncsu.edu/EventParking.
2. Ensure you are logged out of your parking account.
3. Select “Purchase Event Permit”.
4. Agree to the Terms of Service.
5. Select “Orientation”.
6. Select the orientation session you are attending.
7. You will receive an email approximately 10 days before your session that contains a code. When prompted, enter that code as the Event Voucher Code. The code is case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown. Select Apply Voucher.
8. Select an available Permit Type (this will populate above the voucher code field in the gray box).
9. Select/Confirm your parking dates. Select Confirm.
10. Select the Location.
11. Select “Add Vehicle”. Enter vehicle license plate, state, year, make, and model. Review information entered for accuracy and select Add.
12. Enter name and phone number. Select Confirm.
13. Select Continue.
14. Enter email address.
15. Review information. Select Checkout.

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.

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.