Orientation Sessions

Register for New Student Orientation

Whether you are a new freshman, transfer freshman, or transfer student, orientation is designed to help in your transition to the University of Arkansas. Once your admission is confirmed, you will be invited to register for New Student Orientation.

To register, please log in to your  New Student Center using the email address you entered on your application for admission. After you submit the registration form, you will receive a confirmation email. Additional information regarding an agenda for the day, parking, arrival instructions, and more will be sent by email leading up to your session. Check out the 2025 orientation calendar below to choose the session that is right for you!

May

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
24
25
26
31

June

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
14
15
21
22
28
29
30

August

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
 
Accelerated 1-Day Session
 
Traditional 2-Day Session
 
Honors 2-Day Session
 
Transfer Orientation Session

Please Note: The calendar above does not reflect the current availability of orientation sessions. Log into your New Student Center to see the most up-to-date information.

Fall 2025 New Freshmen Students

Orientation attendance is required for all incoming New Freshman. Each session has a capacity limit based on academic college. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are at no academic disadvantage based on orientation date. The U of A continuously adds classes throughout the summer, so no matter which orientation session you attend, you will be able to sign up for classes that meet your degree requirements.

New Student Orientation is hosted in late May, throughout June, and the first week of August for the upcoming fall semester. Sessions are not offered in July. A waitlist is not available so we encourage you to register for the session that best fits your schedule at the time of registration.

Traditional 2-Day Session

Offered in May & June
  • Runs from approximately 3:00 PM on day one through 5:00 PM on day two
  • Orientation content is presented
  • Enrollment with academic advisors of your college
  • Optional presentation from the Honors College
  • Optional participation in Campus Resource Fair
  • Opportunities for connection among current and new students
  • Optional Greek Life presentation and fair
  • Optional campus, UREC and/or select housing tours
  • Optional on-campus overnight accommodations for registered students

Accelerated 1-Day Session

Offered in May & June 
  • Runs from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Orientation content is presented
  • Enrollment with academic advisors of your college
  • Optional presentation from the Honors College
  • Optional participation in Campus Resource Fair
  • On-campus, overnight accommodations are not provided
Students who plan to move into their university housing within a day or two of a 1-day accelerated session in August are strongly encouraged to call the Housing Office directly at 479-575-4687 to inquire about early move-in options — move-in selection times will be made available in the Housing Portal in June. 

Honors 2-Day Session

Offered in May and June
  • Runs from approximately 3:00 PM on day one through 5:00 PM on day two

Honors College students admitted to the Honors College have the option to sign up for an Honors 2-day session. Students may also attend an Accelerated 1-day session or a Traditional 2-day session, which include an optional presentation from the Honors College. You are at no academic disadvantage if you do not attend an Honors orientation session.

Transitions Academic Program (TAP)

Students who are admitted to the Transitions Academic Program (TAP)will need to register for a 2-day session. These students will start their first day of orientation at Northwest Arkansas Community College before attending their U of A orientation session that afternoon. TAP students should log into their New Student Center portal to see which sessions are available to select. TAP students should also be aware of additional advising and orientation information.

Additional advising and orientation information can be found  on the TAP  Webpage.

 

Fall 2025 Transfer Freshmen and New Transfer Students

Transfer Freshmen and New Transfer students are not required to attend orientation, but it is strongly encouraged. Transfer students will have the option to complete a 1-day in-person session or a virtual, on-demand session designed to prepare you for your first semester at the University of Arkansas. To complete your enrollment before classes begin, all Transfer students should contact the academic advising office associated with their college regardless of orientation attendance.

In-Person

  • Runs from approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Includes:
    • Orientation presentations
    • Meeting with advisors from your academic college
    • Optional self-guided tours
  • On-campus, overnight accommodations are not provided
If you are moving onto campus in August, please connect with University Housing to discuss early arrival times. Their office can be reached at housing@uark.edu or 479-575-4687.

Virtual, On-Demand

  • Will be made available in May for students to complete
  • Can be completed in one sitting, or you can start and stop the orientation as needed
  • Allows students to learn about campus resources, activities, and more from the comfort of their home or mobile device