Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer and adult learner students, international students and students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than three years. Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to participate. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU.
For students admitted for Fall 2021, Orientation will be virtual and will take place over the summer. Registration for Orientation is required.
Please review the Accepted Student Checklists to complete other items on the list to help you prepare for Orientation registration.
Ram Ready Orientation for Fall 2021 will be virtual and will begin in mid-June. The virtual program will have several components including the completion of Ram Ready Online Modules, virtual Orientation and academic meetings, and virtual engagement events throughout the summer. The university is also exploring the possibility for limited and optional in-person events later in the summer if university and state guidelines allow.
After registering for Orientation, you will receive information on how to access Ram Ready once it has opened in mid-June. These online modules cover all the basics and provide the information you need to successfully start the semester. Modules should be completed in order at the pace of each individual. Modules are tailored to the you based on your student status (First-Year, Transfer, International, or Student Veteran) and there is a special Family version of the modules available with bonus content specific to new VCU families. For more details on launch dates and module topics covered in Ram Ready, visit the Schedules and Details page.
Your Ram Ready Orientation will also include several required meetings that you will scheduled throughout the summer. These meetings will include a meeting with an Orientation Leader and other new students, meetings with your school or college and your academic advising appointments, and a meeting with Student Financial Services. There will also be several opportunities to attend Q&A's and live webinars with campus departments to help answer your questions and get you connected to VCU's campus.
All new students must register for Orientation ahead of time to gain access to virtual Orientation platforms and to schedule virtual meetings. We also encourage all students to register a family member as well so that their family can also gain access to the Family Orientation program and resources. Orientation is included in your New Student Transition Fee. There is no additional cost to register yourself or any family members at the time of registration.
In order to gain access to the Family Orientation, your student must add you as a guest to their registration. This grants you access to the Family Orientation modules in Ram Ready and you will be added to the Ram Families Listserv to receive timely updates and communication about webinars and events happening as part of Orientation and throughout the academic year. As important partners in your student’s success, we have designed an orientation program just for you. To get more information about accessing the online Family Orientation and resources for parents and families throughout the year, please visit the Family member and guest page.
We understand you may be coming from a very different experience at another institution and have created content, especially for you to learn how to have a successful transition to VCU. The transfer student experience will have information specific to being a transfer student as well as general information about how things work at VCU. You will also have opportunities to connect with other incoming transfer students!
If you are serving or have served in the military, there is Orientation content specifically for veteran students to learn about resources and opportunities as well as how to apply for your military benefits.
Fall semester: Students admitted for the semester will participate in Orientation over the summer in June and July.
Spring Semester: New students admitted for the spring semester will participate in Orientation in January. Registration typically opens at the end of the fall semester (November/December).
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