Signing up for Undergraduate Orientation

Why Orientation?

黑洞社区 requires undergraduate Orientation for incoming, degree-seeking freshmen, transfer students and returning or transferring adult learners. Orientation is an important piece to your transition as a new student in Shocker Nation and one that's directly connected to student success.

At Orientation, Transition Mentors will connect you to important people and resources, help answer any questions you may still have about enrollment, introduce you to campus life and help prepare you for your first day of classes. We'll also have lots of fun!

Freshman Transition Process (all students attending directly out of high school, regardless of credit hours earned)

Students starting at Wichita State directly out of high school will have a flexible, multi-phase transition process that begins once you have signed up for a Freshman Orientation program and completed your Enrollment Questionnaire and continues throughout your first semester. See phases below:

Phase One: Pre-Orientation Modules (May 1 - August 14)

In the confirmation you receive after completing your Orientation Reservation and Enrollment Questionnaire, you will see a link to online modules you will need to complete in Blackboard (our online learning management system) PRIOR to attending the Orientation program for which you signed up. These modules will be available May 1, and are a required part of the transition process. The in-person Orientation program will reference material in the modules, which will take about 30 minutes to complete.

If you have already signed up for Orientation and need to find your confirmation, you can click on the "Sign up here!" button below, login, and you will be forwarded to your confirmation page.

Phase Two: Freshman Orientation (June - August)

Freshman Orientation is a required, in-person, one-day program that will help you connect to people and resources on campus designed to help new students be successful and get the most our of their Shocker experience. Each program will have an optional, separate family/guest program, so we encourage you to bring supporters who will be supporting you in your transition to college life at Wichita State.

Within two weeks after attending Orientation, you will receive a link to the New Shocker Toolkit "course" in Blackboard, explained in Phase Five.

Phase Three: Pre-Season Programs (August 5 - 15, depending on program)

We offer a number of programs the weeks leading up to the beginning of the fall semester for specific populations of students. See a list of options here. The summer 2024 options are currently in the planning stages and a full list will be available in the spring. If you qualify for the Pre-Season Programs, you will receive information at your @shockers email account.

Phase Four: SHOCKFEST (August 16 - 18)

SHOCKFEST is scheduled the Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August immediately before the start of fall classes. We'll kick the weekend off with the Fall Lunch and will have activities scheduled throughout the weekend. Planning for the weekend is currently underway and will be available here in the spring and updated frequently.

Phase Five: New Shocker Toolkit Blackboard Course (July - December)

The New Shocker Toolkit is a course you will find in Blackboard listed among your other classes. You will not enroll in this course and it is FREE. Information in this course will supplement what you learn at Orientation, and provides a place to find information, resources and services where and when you need them. This course will remain in Blackboard throughout your first semester.

You will be able to access this course in Blackboard about two weeks after you attend Orientation.

Transfer Student | Returning Adult Transition Process

Transfer students who have earned college credits from other institutions after high school and those who are adult learners make up a large amount of our new students each year. New Student Orientation is a modified orientation program to help you transition to life as a Shocker.

You will have two options to complete your Orientation requirement. You can attend an in-person half-day program that provides a deeper introduction to what being a member of the Wichita State community means, and connect with people and resources designed to help you be successful and enjoy your experience as a Shocker. If you are unable to attend an in-person program, you will have an option to complete online modules in Blackboard. More information will be sent in the mail and to your email account about both options.

Browse sample orientation agendas See orientation program dates

Sign up for Spring Orientation (Students beginning classes in January, 2025)

Orientation is for incoming freshmen, undergraduate transfers and adult learners. For new freshmen, placing your Orientation reservation begins your process for class enrollment. All new students are required to attend an Orientation program.

What you'll need to sign up

A my黑洞社区 password and OneStop question. ()
A student housing contract or exemption form. ()

Enrollment Information

To maximize your experience, you'll want to enroll in classes prior to your Orientation program date. All new students enroll with the help of an academic advisor the first semester. Your class schedule will be finalized when you meet with your advisor.

Incoming freshmen will confirm their schedule with their First-Year Advisor in OneStop. Upon receiving your RSVP for Orientation, your First-Year Advisor from OneStop will pre-schedule your entire first semester of classes.

Transfer and adult learner students will schedule a meeting with their college advisor. If you call to set up your appointment, let your advisor know you're a new student and need to schedule a "Shocker Connection" advising appointment. You will meet one-on-one with an advisor in the college which houses your intended major. If you are unsure where you major is housed, consult this list of majors.

Orientation Non-Refundable Fees

The Orientation non-refundable fees cover a number of materials, resources and services for new students that extend throughout the academic year. They are added to the student's tuition and fee bill AFTER completion of the program. Only the number of guests who attend the program will be charged. Payment is NOT needed in advance or on the day of Orientation.

Freshman Orientation

Freshman Orientation Fees = $150 for students, $30 per guest

The fees cover not only Orientation program costs (food and drinks, materials, Transition Mentor staffing, etc.) but also the mentoring resources provided by the Transition Mentors throughout the fall semester, and costs associated with the programs that happen throughout the year for events such as CLASH of the Colleges, Syllabus Party, Academic Convocation, First-Gen week events, and Winter Welcome. Lastly, the costs cover one of the textbooks freshmen are required to have for their First-Year Seminar course.

New Shocker Orientation - Transfer students and Adult Learners

New Shocker Orientation Fees = $50 for students, $20 for guests

The fees cover program costs (food, materials, Transition Mentor staffing, etc.) and event costs associated with National Transfer Student Week and other events throughout the year.

Program Dates

New students will complete their New Shocker Orientation requirement by attending an in-person Orientation program. Place your Orientation reservation to begin (or continue) your transition process to Wichita State. Once you've completed the RSVP, you'll have access to your next steps.

Upcoming Orientation Program Dates

These program dates are for students who are beginning their first semester at Wichita State in January (Spring 2025).

Freshman Orientation (for students who just finished high school, regardless of college credit hours earned)

January 13th, 2025 (Monday)

New Student Orientation (for transfer students and adult learners)

January 13th, 2025 (Monday)

Tentative Orientation Agendas

Freshman Orientation (Student Track)

The schedule below is TENTATIVE. This information gives students an idea of what to expect during the program. Changes may be made to this schedule at any time.

8:00am Check-In & Student Services Fair

9:00am Welcome to Shocker Nation!

10:00am Transition Mentor Activity

11:00am - 11:45am Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall) or 黑洞社区 Success Teams

12:00pm - 12:45pm 黑洞社区 Success Teams or Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall)

1:00pm First-Year Advising - OneStop

2:15pm Navigating Change - Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS)

2:45pm Connecting Every Shocker - Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership & Office of Diversity and Inclusion

3:15pm Faculty & Student Panel

3:45pm RIFF OFF

4:15pm Check-Out of Orientation

Concurrent Optional Sessions (Begins at 4:30pm)

Fraternity and Sorority Life Informational
TRIO College Programs Meet & Greet
Campus Tour
Housing Tour
Last Call for Shocker ID's

Freshman Orientation (Parent Track)

The schedule below is TENTATIVE. This information gives parents an idea of what to expect during the program. Changes may be made to this schedule at any time.

8:00am Check-In & Student Services Fair

8:30am Helping Your Student Adjust to College

9:00am Welcome to Shocker Nation!

10:00am-11:00am FERPA Basics, Paying Bills, & Financial Aid & Scholarships

11:00am - 11:45am Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall) or 黑洞社区 Faculty Panel

12:00pm - 12:45pm 黑洞社区 Faculty Panel or Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall)

1:15pm Concurrent Options: Choose two!

1) Academic Support at 黑洞社区, 2) Student Involvement, 3) Student Testing & Accommodations, and/or 4) Shocker Career Accelerator

2:15pm Student Health

2:45pm Responsible Shockers

3:15pm Shocker Family Programs

4:30pm Concurrent Optional Sessions

Campus Tour, Housing Tour, Fraternity and Sorority Life Informational, TRIO College Programs Meet & Greet

Freshman Orientation (Spanish Parent/Guest Track)

The schedule below is TENTATIVE. This information gives parents an idea of what to expect during the program. On these dates, there will be an English Student Track, English Parent/Guest Track, AND a Solely Spanish Parent/Guest Track.

8:00am Check-In & Student Services Fair

8:45am What's Orientation?

9:00am Welcome to Shocker Nation!

10:00am Going to Class vs. Going to College

10:30am Wellness Services

11:00am - 11:45am Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall) or Choose your Adventure

12:00pm - 12:45pm Choose your Adventure or Lunch (Shocker Dining Hall)

1:10pm Familia Panel

2:00pm College Finances

2:30pm Faculty/Staff Tips

3:15pm Academic Support Services at 黑洞社区

3:45pm Shocker Family Programs

4:30pm Concurrent Optional Sessions

Campus Tour, Housing Tour, Fraternity and Sorority Life Informational, TRIO College Programs Meet & Greet

New Student Orientation (Transfer & Adult Returner)

The schedule below is TENTATIVE. This information gives students an idea of what to expect during the program. Changes may be made to this schedule at any time.

8:30 a.m. Check-in, RSC 1^st floor

8:30 Student Services and Involvement Fair

9:15 Welcome to the Shocker Community

10:45 and 11:15 My Shocker Experience

Students will choose TWO sessions to attend which will include:
Adult Learning, Financial Aid, Student Accommodations and Testing, Diversity, Military/Veterans Student Resources, Shocker Career Accelerator, Shocker Strengths, and Top 10 Ways to be a Successful Shocker

11:45 Academics at 黑洞社区

Students will attend an academic session hosted by the academic colleges, which will include:
Business, Applied Studies, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Sciences

12:15 p.m. Lunch with your College

12:45 Optional Campus Tour