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Pre-Orientation Programs

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Jump-start your º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ experience.

Participate in a Pre-Orientation program

Make friends and get acquainted with the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ community prior to Orientation. Pre-orientation programs are offered in the weeks leading up to your first semester, providing you the chance to connect with classmates and create memories.

Our pre-orientation programs provide opportunities to:

  • work closely with a campus organization
  • gain valuable leadership skills
  • interact with upper-level student leaders
  • meet students with similar interests
  • get involved early on campus
  • have fun!

Required Programs

The following groups have required pre-orientation programs specialized for them. Students who are required to attend these programs will receive more information through their º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ email in May.

Join the international orientation team for a week filled with sun, fun activities, and community building as we immerse you in American culture and prepare you for your journey ahead. This orientation is tailored for students who will be attending º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University under F-1 visa status. Dual citizens, students on non-F visas, and folks who grew up in international locations are also welcome to attend International Student Orientation.

All international students are required to maintain valid F-1 status in order to attend º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University. During International Student Orientation, we will be completing the initial immigration registration as well as discussing topics specific to the international student experience.

Contact

Office of International Student Services, oiss@colgate.edu, +1-315-228-6131

For over 100 years, º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ students and graduates have explored the world through scholarship, research, and discovery. All Alumni Memorial Scholars (AMS) begin their º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ experience participating in a pre-orientation program. Fostering community and a shared commitment for the pursuit of knowledge, the AMS pre-orientation program is designed to introduce participants to the active scholarship and types of scholarly support found across º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½â€™s campus. Learn about the unique resources and opportunities available to the AMS community while getting to know your fellow scholars.

Contact Information: Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, undergraduatescholars@colgate.edu

Optional Pre-Orientation Programs

Incoming students have the option to attend a pre-orientation program before their arrival to campus. Registration will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning in May.

2024 Pre-Orientation Programs

Community Outreach

Students doing community service at Rogers Nature Center

Make friends through community outreach and service, and learn about the local community in which you will live for the next four years. You will travel off campus in small groups with upper-level student leaders and mentors, immersing yourself in community settings. Serve with and learn from residents and nonprofit agencies in the local and regional area.

Through service and reflection on its definition, purpose, and efficacy, this experience invites you to begin your time at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ acting on and thinking about engaged citizenship and the public good. Learn how to connect individual acts of service to long-term social change; join a group of students on a service journey and see what answers you find!

First@º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ and QuestBridge Scholars

Students posing for a silly photo on the Hamilton Green.

Build community and familiarize yourself with campus resources that will help you thrive at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½. This program provides QuestBridge Scholars and first-generation students early access to opportunities to network with faculty and staff, get acquainted with key University offices, hear from upper-level students, and bond with fellow first-year students. Join this pre-orientation program and make the most of your º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ experience right out of the ’gate!

Sustainability of the North Country

Students sitting on a trampoline

You will have the opportunity to take a deep dive into sustainability in New York’s North Country from the Tug Hill Plateau to the expansive Adirondack Park. After a primer in sustainability at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½'s on-campus Community Garden, our outings will take us to the state’s largest wind farm, on a hike in the Adirondack High Peaks, and to a working sustainable farm. Connect with other incoming students as we bond over personal climate experiences, hike in unique habitats, eat sustainable foods, and practice zero-waste habits.

All are welcome, whether you consider yourself a novice in sustainability or a long-time sustainability champion. After returning to campus, you will start off on a more sustainable path with a crew of like- minded friends as you embark on your first year at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½.

Wilderness Adventure

Students pose in the forest during a hike

For over 30 years, around 25% of first year students have started their º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ careers with a Wilderness Adventure. Alongside 7-9 other incoming first years and two experienced Outdoor Education student leaders, you will experience upstate New York and the Adirondack Park by backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, day hiking, or a combo of these activities. Whether you’re an experienced outdoors person or you have never been camping before, we have a trip that is right for you (besides a range of activities, trips also come in a variety of difficulty levels). Along the way, you’ll make new friends and create unforgettable memories to set you up for the rest of your time at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½.

No previous outdoor experience is needed for any of our trips - just a willingness to have fun, learn, and meet new people. We will take care of the rest!

Wilderness Adventure