First-Year Orientation is August 23-30, 2020.

Your Carnegie Mellon adventure starts here!

Welcome to Carnegie Mellon University, undergraduate first-year and transfer students!

Our week-long Orientation program for incoming undergraduate students is a dynamic and engaging experience that will introduce you to the expectations, culture and traditions of Carnegie Mellon University. All incoming undergraduate students are expected to attend the entirety of the First-Year Orientation program (registration is not required for students or guests).

As Orientation approaches, use this website to learn more about Move-In, First-Year Family Orientation and the 2020 Orientation schedule. You can also review items you should complete before your arrival on campus and explore the resources and vocabulary that will be important to you as a new Carnegie Mellon student.

Preparing for Orientation

Summer Checklist

Make sure you stay on track this summer so you can arrive at CMU ready to go.

Photo of RAs and CAs from Donner doing a group activity

Resources

Learn more about the campus resources that will help you prepare for your transition to college.

Photo of a professor teaching students about set design

Download the App

The full Orientation schedule will be available for download in the CMU Events App in early August.

Photo of students listening to a presentation

Orientation Schedule

Mark your calendar with Orientation Week's most important events.

Photo of students representing campus organization SPIRIT at an activities fair

Snapshots from First-Year Orientation

Move-In Day

When you arrive on campus, you'll be greeted by orientation counselors, resident assistants and campus volunteers who are eager to help new students and their families move into the residence halls. Drop off your belongings, park your car and let us do the heavy lifting! New students are assigned an arrival time for move-in which makes the process quick and easy. LEARN MORE

Photo of CMU President Farnam Jahanian speaking

President's Welcome

All new students and family members are invited to attend the Orientation welcome program featuring Dr. Farnam Jahanian, president of Carnegie Mellon University, as well as students, faculty and university leaders.

Photo of two young women performing a traditional dance

Community Collage

Community Collage features upper-class student performances, narratives and personal reflections that highlight the diversity of our campus. New students gain cross-cultural perspectives and see how individual stories, presentations and performances are intricately woven into the fabric of campus.

Photo of two young women laughing on the roof of the Heinz History Center

Academic Events

New students attend a variety of events where they meet academic deans, advisors and other students in their majors and programs. Academic sessions introduce new students to the expectations of their program and offer tips for success.

Photo of CMU bagpipers practicing outside of the tent

Convocation

Convocation is the first formal milestone in a student's Carnegie Mellon experience. Convocation is the official academic welcome to campus where students hear words of welcome and advice from the president, deans and student leadership.

House Wars

Join your housing community for an evening to celebrate house pride and friendly competition. Students create cheers, banners, and dress in house colors to build excitement for an evening of quirky outdoor field games.

Photo of the Class of 2023+ forming a light bulb for their class picture

Class Photo

The entire first-year class gathers for its official class picture. The class of 2023+ formed a light bulb to complement the 2019 Orientation logo and theme, Breakthrough.

Multicultural BBQ

Students learn about multicultural student organizations, enjoy food and music and meet peers and upper-class student leaders at the Multicultural BBQ.