Orientation Dates
Students select their Orientation
dates as part of the New Student Checklist (opens 3/25/26 for first-year students and 4/1/26 for transfer students).
Visit Orientation & Transition Experiences for additional information about Orientation. The website includes: Sample Orientation Schedules, Freshmen & Transfer Welcome Week information, Parent and Guest Orientation information, Directions to & Parking on campus.
If you have questions, contact [email protected] or call the CLA Student Services Office at 612-625-2020.
For Fall 2026 First-Year Students
As a first-year student, you'll participate in required Orientation activities over two days. This is when you will connect with a college advisor and register for classes. Your guests can also participate in Family & Student Supporters Orientation.
To schedule your orientation date, you will complete your required New Student Checklist, which opens on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Not all orientation dates will be available to you, because they are offered based on your responses to the New Student Checklist. To see the dates that are available specifically for you, please log onto and complete your New Student Checklist (available starting on March 25, 2026 and after you confirm with the Office of Admissions). By the end of May most orientations dates are usually already filled, so schedule the earliest orientation date available to you to maximize your course choice options. CLA hosts Freshman Orientation on:
June 4-5
June 8-9
June 9-10
June 10-11
June 11-12
June 15-16
June 16-17
June 29-30
June 30 - July 1
July 1-2
July 6-7
July 7-8
July 8-9
July 9-10
July 13-14
July 14-15
July 15-16
July 16-17
July 20-21
July 21-22
July 22-23
July 23-24
August dates are available by request for extenuating circumstances only:
August 26-27
August 27-28
August 31 - September 1
For Fall 2026 Transfer Students
As a transfer student, you'll participate in two required, day-long Orientation days: one remote college orientation day and one on-campus orientation day. You can choose any dates that work for you, as long as you pick one of each type. Before you sign up, you'll need to complete your required New Student Checklist, which is where you'll schedule your orientation dates. Your checklist opens on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
On-Campus Transfer Orientation Day
Once you've logged in, you'll schedule your on-campus orientation date first. This day includes campus resource sessions to help with your transition to the University, campus tours, a session with the CLA Transfer Advising team, and meeting other students & staff. Your guests can also participate in Family & Student Supporters Orientation. CLA hosts on-campus orientation on:
June 1
June 2
July 24
August dates are available by request at [email protected] for International Students or for extenuating circumstances only:
August 24
August 25
September 1
Remote College Transfer Orientation Day
After choosing your on‑campus date, you’ll pick your remote college orientation date. This day starts at 9:00am CDT, and you will spend a full day online with us to be welcomed to CLA and learn how to use our registration system, meet with a major department advisor, attend either the pre-health session or introduction to Career Services session, meet with an Academic Advisor, and register for classes with the support of an Advisor or Peer Advisor. All meetings happen on Zoom (see below), so you'll need a laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection, and a quiet space.
Try to choose the earliest remote date you can, since earlier dates give you better course options when you register. Remote college orientation dates depend on your intended major, and not every major is offered on every date. To see the dates available specifically for you, log in and complete your New Student Checklist once it opens on Wednesday, April 1 and after you’ve confirmed with the Office of Admissions. CLA hosts remote college orientation days on:
May 28
May 29
June 1
June 2
June 3
June 25
June 26
July 20
August 20
August 21
August 25
For Spring 2027 Transfer Students
As a spring transfer student, you will be required to attend a day-long orientation program, either remotely or on-campus, where you will learn more about your transition to the University, meet with an advisor, and register for classes. Orientation dates will be posted here by November 2026.
Remote Orientation Zoom Preparation and Troubleshooting
Set up your U of M Zoom account before your advising appointment. Get ready for your scheduled orientation appointment by setting up your Zoom account and equipment. Log in to your U of M Zoom account before your scheduled appointment time to test your account and equipment. If you need help with your Zoom set up, please contact 1-HELP via phone at 612-301-4357 or via email at [email protected].
If you do not have access to a microphone on your computer or are having internet connection difficulties, you can call into Zoom rooms for advising appointments on your phone by calling 1-415-762-9988. The system will ask you to enter the Meeting ID (the numbers in the Zoom link you received for your appointment). You will also be asked for a participant ID, but you can skip that by pressing #.
If you are unsure of where to go or are having difficulties with your schedule for the day, please contact our CLA Zoom Lobby at z.umn.edu/CLAzoomsupport, and one of our peer advisors can help you find the correct place to go. This lobby will specifically be open during business hours on orientation days. If you have orientation questions outside of these hours, please email [email protected].