Orientation FAQs

New Student Orientation is a one-day event that is required for all incoming freshmen who are admitted to a fall, summer, or spring term to fulfill their orientation requirement. This is not required for all incoming transfer students. 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.

Graduate Students are not required to attend New Student Orientation.

Online Orientation is a set of modules all incoming freshmen, transfer, international student, and online program admitted students who are admitted for a fall, summer, or spring term must complete to fulfill their orientation requirement.

Graduate Students are not required to complete the online orientation modules.

Family Orientation is a one-day event separate from New Student Orientation and is held on the same day as New Student Orientation. The incoming student must register their family members for the Family Orientation when they make their Orientation Reservation. Family are not required to attend Family Orientation.

Orientation Requirement is a requirement set by UT San Antonio. This requires all incoming freshmen admitted for the fall, spring, or summer term to attend New Student Orientation and complete Online Orientation to fulfill their Orientation Requirement.

Transfer students who are admitted for the fall, spring, or summer term are not required to attend New Student Orientation; however they need to complete Online Orientation.

Graduate Students are not required to attend New Student Orientation or complete Online Orientation. Graduate students should refer their graduate school for information on their orientation requirements.

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, which is a set of lessons you do on your computer. Both parts help you learn what to expect at college.

Incoming Freshmen

All incoming freshmen admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term at UT San Antonio are required to attend New Student Orientation and complete Online Orientation.

Transfer Students

Domestic transfer students are not required to attend New Student Orientation, but they must complete Online Orientation.

International Students (Freshmen and Transfers)

All international freshmen and international transfer students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term are required to attend New Student Orientation and complete Online Orientation, regardless of transfer status.

Graduate Students

Graduate students are not required to attend New Student Orientation or complete Online Orientation. Graduate students should refer to their graduate school for orientation requirements.

New Student Orientation is a full-day, in-person program beginning at 8:00 AM with check-in and ending at 6:00pm. All incoming freshmen admitted for the fall, spring, and summer term, must stay for the full day. If you cannot stay the entire time please email [email protected] so we can try our best to accommodate your request. Approved accommodations will still fulfill the orientation requirement.

Transfer Students are encouraged to stay for the entire program however if needed, can leave early.

International freshmen and transfer students are required to stay the full 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.

All incoming freshmen and transfer students who attend New Student Orientation in person take part in a general welcome to campus, hear from key campus partners such as campus safety, campus services, housing, and the One Stop Enrollment Center. They will get a chance to browse our resource fair and learn more about campus services and clubs. In addition, all incoming freshmen and transfer students who attend New Student Orientation in person will meet with an academic advisor to enroll in classes for your first semester at UT San Antonio.

International freshmen and transfer students will participate in events at New Student Orientation that are designed to help you settle in, connect with peers, and learn about life as international student at UT San Antonio. Advising sessions for International freshmen and transfer students will happen prior to your in-person New Student Orientation.

New Student Orientation in person programs take place at various times depending on the students admitted term.

Freshmen, transfer, and international students who are admitted for the fall term will attend New Student Orientation in-person programs between June and August.

Freshmen, transfer, and international students who are admitted for the spring term, will attend New Student Orientation in-person programs between November and December.

Freshmen, transfer, and international students who are admitted for the summer term will attend a New Student Orientation in-person program in May.

If a student is unable to attend their scheduled New Student Orientation, the required next steps depend on the student’s admission type.

Incoming Freshmen (Fall, Spring, or Summer Admits)

Incoming freshmen must attend New Student Orientation to meet their Orientation Requirement. If an incoming freshman cannot attend their scheduled Orientation date, they must email [email protected] explaining why they are unable to attend. The Orientation Office will review the request and respond within 7–10 business days. The response will include next steps, which may include rescheduling or other approved options.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who cannot attend their scheduled Orientation may cancel their sign-up online through the Orientation registration system. Transfer students may select a different available Orientation date. If assistance is needed to reschedule, transfer students may contact the Orientation and Family Programs Office for support.

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

Freshmen students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term will need to attend New Student Orientation in person to meet with an advisor and register for classes.

Transfer and International students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term, will need to complete Online Orientation prior to meeting with an academic advisor.

Freshmen students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term will meet with an academic advisor at the end of the New Student Orientation in person program.

Transfer and International students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term, will often meet with an advisor before Orientation.

Transfer students can also meet with an advisor during New Student Orientation in person program if needed.

For students that have the option to complete the Online Orientation experience ONLY (this option is not available for Freshmen admitted for the fall, spring or summer term) 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].

Freshmen students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term cannot sign up for classes before the New Student Orientation in person program date.

Transfer and International students admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term, may sign up for classes before the New Student Orientation in person program date if the Online Orientation is completed 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 freshman admitted to the fall, spring, or summer term, you are 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 in person program, and you can register for classes at that time.

Transfer students who are completing Online Orientation only, your advisor will contact you after you complete your online orientation. 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 freshman admitted for a fall, spring, or summer term, 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 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. The New Student Programs Fee is required for all students (even if you do not attend orientation in person).

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, freshmen can’t be exempt from the mandatory in-person requirement. Some students (such as those with a prior 4‑year degree) are automatically exempt.

No. Family Orientation is optional.

UT San Antonio offers several Transfer New Student Orientation in person program dates, depending on the students admitted term. Transfer students who are admitted for the fall term will have New Student Orientation in person programs 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.

Transfer students who are admitted for the spring term, will have a New Student Orientation in person program held in November or December.

Transfer students who are admitted for a summer term will not have a New Student Orientation in person program.

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 takes place on the same day as the student’s Orientation, but it is a separate program with a different schedule. Family Orientation is intended for parents, guardians, and other supporters chosen by the student. Family members do not attend student sessions and do not participate in academic advising or class registration. The program helps families learn about UT San Antonio academics, campus services, and student support resources. Families also have opportunities to meet UT San Antonio faculty, staff, and other families.

The student is responsible for registering family members during the orientation registration process. Students may register up to two (2) total family members/guests. Only family members who registered in advance may attend.

If the in‑person Family Orientation session for your selected date is full, your family members may attend a virtual Family Orientation instead. Virtual Family Orientation is an alternative option for family members when in‑person capacity is reached.

Family Orientation is a full‑day program check in opens at 8:00am with scheduled sessions from 9:00am –3:30pm with optional sessions until 5:00pm.

No, Family Orientation is optional.

No, there is no additional fee for family members or guests to attend Family orientation.

Family members can register for Virtual Family Orientation through the student’s Orientation confirmation page. The student must first complete their Orientation sign‑up. After the student finishes registering, the option to sign up for Virtual Family Orientation will be available on the confirmation page. Family members cannot register on their own.

You complete your Orientation Requirement by completing Online Orientation. All students admitted for fall, spring or summer are required to complete Online Orientation. Online Orientation provides important information about academic classes, student services, campus safety, campus life, how to connect with your academic advisor. After you complete Online Orientation, Your Orientation hold will be removed by the next business day.

Fall, spring, or summer freshmen who are required to attend New Student Orientation (NSO): You must complete Online Orientation at least two weeks before your in‑person NSO date. You will meet with your advisor and register for classes during NSO.

Students who only need Online Orientation (such as transfer students) An academic advisor will email you within two weeks after you complete Online Orientation to schedule a meeting. After you meet with your advisor, you will be able to register for classes. If you do not hear from your advisor within two weeks, contact [email protected].

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 do not need to complete your Rowdy Ready Requirements before signing up for or completing Online Orientation.

Online Orientation typically takes 1–2 hours to complete. You may complete it all at once or in multiple sessions. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can return at any time. For the best experience and to avoid technical issues, it is recommended to use Google Chrome when completing Online Orientation.

You should complete Online Orientation as soon as possible. Online Orientation typically closes one week before classes begin. freshmen admitted for fall, spring, or summer who are required to attend New Student Orientation (NSO): must complete Online Orientation at least two weeks before your scheduled in‑person NSO date.