Student Program

All first-year undergraduates, both freshmen and transfer students, must participate in one of the seven Orientation Sessions offered throughout the summer. It is strongly recommended that you attend a June or July Orientation. New England, New York and New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania students must attend a June or July session. During your Orientation Session, you will plan your academic program with a faculty adviser and complete the registration process for your first-semester courses.

In Sessions 1-6, you will live in a residence hall with other first-year students and Orientation Leaders who are Boston College sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

In Session 7, you will live in your assigned first-year housing. If you do not have on-campus housing, you will be expected to have moved to your off-campus housing by the start of the Orientation Session. Reservations for all Orientation Sessions should be received by May 1, 2012. Register on-line via Agora Portal here.

Parent and Guardian Program

At each Orientation Session, a three-day Parent and Guardian Orientation will run concurrently with the Student Orientation. Offered only to mothers and fathers or guardian(s) in the student's life, this program is designed to support the adjustment process that occurs when a son or daughter leaves home to start a college life, and to familiarize you with the resources that are available to you within the University community.  Please be advised that lodging is not provided for attendees of the Parent and Guardian Program.  A list of nearby hotels and accommodations is available here.

During the three-day Orientation, you will hear from Boston College students, faculty, administrators, and other Boston College parents about this exciting and challenging transition. In panels, discussions, and informal conversations, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and learn more about important issues like academic expectations and community standards. During this time, offices and services across campus will be open for consultation. Because the needs of the parents and students differ, the two Orientations will run independently of each other.

Parents and guardians are advised that they will separate from their students after dinner on the first evening. The Parent and Guardian Orientation does not rejoin the Student Orientation until the closing program on the final afternoon. Reservations for the Parent and Guardian program is done via the on-line enrollment process and must be received by May 1, 2012. Due to limitations on space, students may register no more than two parents or guardians for Orientation. Siblings, friends, and unregistered parents and guardians will not be able to attend Orientation.

Orientation Schedule

Registration for each session will begin on Sunday at noon and continue until 2:00 p.m. Each session will begin with a Sunday liturgy in the Catholic tradition. All are welcome. After mass, everyone will share dinner followed by an evening program with faculty. After the faculty program, parents and guardians will leave for their respective lodging. Students will remain on campus for a continuing program late into the evening.

On Monday, Student Orientation and Parent and Guardian Orientation will run independently. Parents and guardians will have the evening free for dinner and exploring Boston. Students will continue on campus with dinner and a variety of activities.

On Tuesday, the students and the parents and guardians will continue in separate Orientations and will meet for a closing program at 3:00 p.m. Make travel arrangements so that the student can remain on campus at least until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The complexity of the program makes early departures impossible.

Reservations for First-Years, Parents, and Guardians

All first-year and transfer students will be assessed an Orientation fee on their August tuition statement. Orientation reservations are done on-line (click here to register for orientation) and must be received by the University no later than May 1, 2012.

Prior to Orientation, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Office of First Year Experience indicating which session you are registered to attend. Due to the complexity of the program and limited space for each session, students may register no more than two parents or guardians for Orientation. Siblings, friends, and unregistered guests will not be able to attend Orientation.

CALENDAR

Orientation 2012

Session	Dates	Schools
1	June 10, 11, 12	A&S, CSOM, CSON
2	June 17, 18, 19	A&S, CSOM, LSOE
3	June 24, 25, 26	A&S, CSOM, CSON
4	July 8, 9, 10	A&S, CSOM, LSOE
5	July 15, 16, 17	A&S, CSOM
6	July 22, 23, 24	A&S, CSOM
7*	August 26, 27, 28	All Schools

Tuesday, September 4, 2012: Classes Begin

*Session 7 is NOT available to students from New England, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania.  Please be advised that this session will fill quickly and due to space limitations is available on a first-come, first-served basis.