Orientation FAQs

New Student Orientation is an all‑day, in‑person program that is held on UT San Antonio’s Main Campus. It works together with Online Orientation, which all new students must also complete.

New Student Orientation is a one-day event that helps you get ready for college. It takes place in person at the UT San Antonio main campus. You will spend the day learning about UT San Antonio, meeting staff and students, and getting helpful info. This program works with Online Orientation to help you learn what to expect at college.  

New Student Orientation (our in-person experience) is required for some students and optional for others. If you are an incoming freshman, you must attend New Student Orientation. If you are a transfer student, you do not have to attend the in-person event. However, all new students must complete Online Orientation. 

New Student Orientation is a full-day, in-person program beginning at 8:00 AM with check-in and ending at 6:00pm. Fall freshmen must stay for the full day. Summer freshmen and transfer students do not have to stay all day.  

At New Student Orientation, you will prepare for your first semester. You will meet staff and other students to learn about campus life. You will also get help signing up for classes. 

Students take part in: 

• A general welcome to campus  
• Information sessions on various topics  
• Hear from a panel of campus partners 
• A resource fair with tables where you can learn about campus services and clubs  
• Meet with your academic advisor and enroll in classes. Your advisor will help you pick your first semester class schedule. 

New Student Orientation takes place during the summer months. For fall freshmen, it is held from June to August. Sessions are on select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  

For summer freshmen and transfer students, dates and options will show when you log in to the Orientation sign-up system. 

If you cannot attend New Student Orientation, there are steps you should take. 

If you are a fall freshman, you must email [email protected] and explain why you cannot attend. The office will review your message and reply in 7 to 10 work days. 

If you are a summer freshman or a transfer student, you can cancel your sign-up online. You can also email the office if you need help to pick a new date. 

No. The schedule is not released publicly for student and family safety.

If you are a fall freshman, yes. You will meet your advisor and sign up for classes at New Student Orientation.  

If you are a summer freshman or a transfer student, no. You may meet your advisor before Orientation if you finish Online Orientation first. 

If you are a fall freshman, you will meet your advisor at the end of New Student Orientation. 

If you are a summer freshman or a transfer student, you will often meet your advisor before Orientation. You can also meet with an advisor during Orientation if needed. 

For students that have the option to complete the Online Orientation experience ONLY (this option is not available for Fall 2026 Freshmen) you will be contacted within 2 weeks after you complete your Online Orientation, Academic Advising will send an email to your UT San Antonio email account with instructions on how to schedule your advising appointment. If you are not contacted by Academic Advising, please email [email protected]. 

If you are a fall freshman, no. You cannot sign up for classes before your New Student Orientation date. 

If you are a summer freshman or a transfer student, yes. You may sign up for classes before your Orientation date if you finish Online Orientation first. 

You register for classes after you meet with your academic advisor.  

After you finish Online Orientation, your UT San Antonio advisor will email you within two weeks to set up your advising appointment. The email will go to your UTSA student email account (@my.utsa.edu). Make sure you can access this email. If you are not sure, go to https://my.utsa.edu/ and click “Email Account” under Student Resources. 

If you are a fall freshman required to attend New Student Orientation, you must finish Online Orientation at least two weeks before your in-person program. Your advisor will meet with you during New Student Orientation, and you can register for classes at that time. 

If you only need to do Online Orientation, your advisor will contact you after you finish. You will get instructions on how to schedule your appointment. After your meeting, you can register for classes. If you do not hear from your advisor, email [email protected]. 

If you are a fall freshman, no, you can’t come to New Student Orientation only for academic advising and registration. You must check in and stay for the full day. You cannot come just for class sign-up. 

If you are a summer freshman or a transfer student, yes. You can come for part of the day but you must still check in when you arrive. 

No. All students must meet with an advisor before a change of major can be processed.

Students sign up for Orientation through the Rowdy Ready Checklist in their myUTSA Admissions Portal.  

Once logged in, you will find your application under “My Admission Applications” section. From there, click on the orange “Review Details & Checklist” at the bottom of the tile. Under the “Your Rowdy Ready Status” section, you will see a “Sign Up for Orientation” checklist item with a link. 

UT San Antonio charges a $175 New Student Programs Fee. This fee is not refundable and cannot be waived. You must pay it when you sign up for Orientation, usually by credit card. 

After you pay, a confirmation page will show that your reservation is set and your payment is complete. The fee helps pay for staff, programs, and technology to make Orientation a good experience for new students. 

Even if you decide not to enroll at UT San Antonio, the fee cannot be refunded. If you put the fee on your tuition account, it must still be paid by the semester deadline. 

Yes, some students qualify for deferment during sign‑up. Others may request deferment by emailing [email protected].

Please allow 3-5 business days for us to review your request. Decisions will be emailed directly to your myUTSA email account.

In-person Orientation program students are required to follow all reasonable directions issued by the University officials including but not limited to staff of Orientation and Family Programs. In the event of a personal emergency, students should contact an Orientation Staff member for assistance.

New Student Orientation is required to help freshmen get ready for college. 

If you are a fall freshman, you must attend. This helps you learn about UT San Antonio and sign up for your full class schedule. 

If you are a summer freshman, only Online Orientation is required. 

Generally, no. Some students (such as those with a prior 4‑year degree) are automatically exempt. 

No. Family Orientation is optional.

UT San Antonio offers two Transfer Orientation dates, held on select Thursdays: one in June and one in July. If you cannot attend an in-person session, you can complete the online orientation to fulfill your orientation requirement. 

Yes, family members and guests can attend Transfer Orientation with you, except during advising and course registration. You must register them when you sign up for your orientation date. Family Orientation is optional. 

Family Orientation is a full-day program for the families of new students. 

It happens on the same day as your student’s Orientation but is a separate event. Family members do not take part in class advising or registration. 

The program helps families learn about academics, campus services, and support. They also get to meet UT San Antonio teachers, staff, and other families. 

Yes, you need to sign up your family when you register for Orientation. Students can add up to 2 guests during the Orientation sign-up process. 

If the preferred family orientation date is full, families can attend a virtual family orientation.  

The Family Orientation Program is from 9am-3:30pm with check in beginning at 8am and optional events at the end of the program. 

Family Orientation is not mandatory. 

No, there is no additional fee for family orientation. 

You may sign up for the virtual family orientation through your student’s confirmation page after they complete their orientation sign up.

You complete your orientation requirement by finishing Online Orientation. 

All new undergraduate students must do Online Orientation. It gives you important information about classes, student services, safety, campus life, and how to meet with your advisor. 

Once you finish Online Orientation, your hold will be removed the next business day. 

If you are a fall freshman required to attend New Student Orientation (NSO), you must finish Online Orientation at least two weeks before your in-person NSO. You will meet your advisor and register for classes during NSO. 

If you only need Online Orientation, your advisor will email you within two weeks to set up a meeting. After that, you can register for classes. If you do not hear from your advisor, email [email protected]. 

No, you can sign up and complete Online Orientation before your Rowdy Ready requirements are complete.

Online Orientation usually takes 1 to 2 hours to finish. You can do it all at once or in parts. Your progress is saved automatically. It is best to use Google Chrome to do Online Orientation. This helps avoid technical problems while you work. 

You should complete Online Orientation as soon as you can. Finishing it early lets you meet with your advisor in person at New Student Orientation or online if that option is available for you. 

Online Orientation usually closes one week before classes start. If you are a fall freshman required to attend New Student Orientation, you must finish Online Orientation at least two weeks before your in-person program.