Orientation
Welcome, Knights!
We’re thrilled for you to get to know campus and make Calvin your home away from home.
Orientation will help you get connected to our vibrant community and equip you to make the most of your time here at Calvin.
Starting Calvin in Spring?
All first-year or transfer students—we have orientation planned for you!
We'll send you more information in email but reach out if you have questions: orientation@calvin.edu.
For students starting fall semester
If you’re a new first-year student starting in the fall, you will follow a three-step experience that includes Summer Orientation, Course Registration, and Fall Welcome.
Transfer and adult and continuing education students have a slightly different schedule; see below.
Not sure? Your New Student Portal will tell you which group you've been assigned.
NOTE: All dates shown below are for 2024. Dates for 2025 will be available by March.
Fall Welcome
All students are part of Fall Welcome. Please check your New Student Portal or emails to find out which programming is yours! Contact us if you have questions!
Welcome Week is for all new students
We welcome first-year students to campus, with programming continuing until the first day of class. Families are invited to join at the beginning of Welcome Week, and say their goodbyes after Convocation.
For students living on-campus (who haven’t already moved in with other Welcome events): Move-in Day is Thursday, August 29 for all dorms and on-campus apartments (Knollcrest East).
Additional Welcome Programs
Check your New Student Portal to find out if you are included in any of these groups
This is for football athletes only.
Members of the football team will arrive on campus early to move in on this day and participate in training camp practices. They will join other new students in Welcome Week programming August 29–September 2.
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
This is for fall athletes of select teams
Programming which allows athletes of most fall teams to arrive on campus early and not miss out on the information they need before fall semester.
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
This is for non-U.S. citizens or Americans living abroad
A three-day specialized program for international students with designated move-in times. You will be part of a small group for a variety of activities, then join other new students in Welcome Week programming August 29–September 2.
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
This is for North American students of color
This specialized program helps build community and locate cultural resources which promote thriving. Students living on-campus will have a designated move-in day, and all participants will be part of small group workshops and sessions. IMPACT participants will then join other new students in Welcome Week programming August 29–September 2.
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
This is for adult/continuing education students
This program is designed to meet the needs of students who are over 23, and/or married, and/or have children.
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
This is for all transfer students
We welcome transfer students to campus, with programming continuing until the first day of class. Families are invited to join at the beginning of Welcome Week, and say their goodbyes after Convocation.
For students living on-campus (who haven’t already moved in with other Welcome events): Move-in Day is Thursday, August 29 for all dorms and on-campus apartments (Knollcrest East).
Please check your email for instructions, or login to your New Student Portal if you aren't sure which welcome program you've been assigned.
Contact Us
The process of orientation also includes:
Summer Orientation
Summer Orientation prepares you for the transition to higher education.
June 10, June 21, or June 28 (choose one)
First-year students and family members
For most local students and those able to travel to Grand Rapids, we offer three on-campus orientation sessions (choose one on your New Student Portal).
Various dates in June and July
First-year students
For students not able to be at Calvin in-person due to timing or travel constraints, we offer online orientation. Choose a date on your New Student Portal.
Course Registration
On your New Student Portal, you will need to complete your 3-minute Questionnaire and your Fall Course Registration Form by the end of June so our registration team can build out your schedule.
Watch for messages from the Center for Student Success sent to your Calvin email address. Their team will guide you through these steps!