New Student Orientation

1.  Log into your Admissions Portal

2.  Look for the registration button at the top of your status page.

3.  Register for your preferred date

4.  To change your orientation date, complete the Change My Orientation Date request form available in your Admissions portal after you've registered for orientation.

NOTE:  Since you are logging into your admissions portal to register, use the email address and password you used when you submitted your admissions application to WCU.

Before coming to orientation, be sure to upload an ID photo for your Ram Card. Only students who've uploaded a photo will be able to pick up their ID card at orientation.

The Office of New Student Programs is committed to making orientation accessible to incoming students and guests. We will do our best to accommodate all accessibility needs. Please reach out to us at orientation@wcupa.edu or (610) 436-3305 to discuss your needs. Please note, the sooner we know about your accommodation needs, the more time we have to prepare. While we will make every effort to meet your needs, we may be unable to assist with accommodation requests received fewer than two weeks before your scheduled orientation and will communicate any progress with you.

The student's lunch in the campus dining hall is included in the program. Guests can purchase a meal ticket to eat in the campus dining hall for $5.00 at orientation, or they are welcome to explore off-campus lunch options in the Borough of West Chester.

We know orientation is an exciting time for the entire family, but due to space limitations, each student is permitted to bring only one guest to orientation. We appreciate your cooperation with this policy in order to ensure a safe and productive orientation day for everyone. Guests and students will attend separate orientation sessions for portions of the day. Guests are expected to follow the University's current Covid guidelines. Parents, guardians, and anyone who supports a Golden Ram are encouraged to sign up for Ram Fam Central to help them stay up to date on the latest news, information and happenings at WCU.

Check-in for on-campus orientation starts at 9 AM in the lobby of Sykes Student Union. The program begins promptly at 9:30 AM. Access the full student and guest schedules below:

January 2023 Orientation Schedules

Students and guests attending virtual orientation will be able to log in beginning at 8:45 AM. The program begins promptly at 9 AM.  The virtual orientation schedule will be posted soon so please check back. 

All new students are charged a one-time New Student Fee of $145 on their first semester bill. This fee covers all costs associated with orientation programming including staffing, mailings, materials and the cost of a student's first WCU ID. All new students are charged the New Student Fee regardless of their level of participation in orientation programming. 

On Campus Orientation:  Friday, January 13, 2023

Virtual Orientation:  Friday, January 20, 2023

Free orientation parking is located in K Lot behind the Sykes Student Union. Overflow parking can be found in M Lot behind the Swope Music Building.  You can find these parking locations on our campus map.

Hourly parking is available in the Sharpless Street, New Street and Campus Recreation Center garages at a cost of $1.50/hr., max $9 per day. Garage parking fees must be paid by credit or debit card. Cash payments are not accepted at the parking garages. Garage parking fees are the responsibility of the student/guest. Orientation does not validate/reimburse for garage parking.

PLEASE NOTE:  Faculty/Staff parking lots require a valid permit and are enforced 24/7 year round.  Street parking is controlled by the Borough of West Chester and is strictly enforced. Please park only in the lots designated above or purchase hourly garage parking to avoid being ticketed or towed.

During orientation, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your orientation leaders and meet other new Rams. You'll also hear about the support services WCU offers to help all Golden Rams be successful. Weather permitting, you’ll be touring campus so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather!

Virtual orientation will be held in a Zoom webinar format. Students and guests will hear from representatives from many areas across campus including Financial Aid and the Bursar's and Academic Affairs. Students and guests will have an opportunity to have their questions answered during virtual orientation.