First-Year Student Orientation

We welcome you to campus for First-Year Orientation Thursday, Aug. 21– Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 — just before classes start on Monday, Aug. 25.

What happens at Orientation?

Move into your residence hall, unpack, and get prepared for the academic year.
Meet your peer mentor, who will support you through Orientation and the Clark Navigator program.
Attend sessions created just for you about about how you can be academically successful at Clark, and learn all the ways you can get involved, serve our community, and become connected.
Make new friends, explore the campus and Worcester, and be prepared for the first day of classes.

Please Note

Fall Orientation 2025 will begin on Thursday, August 21, 2025 with move in based upon assigned times in the morning based upon housing assignment.

Orientation will take place Thursday afternoon for students and families, and continue for students Thursday evening and all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

2024 First-Year Undergraduate Student Orientation Schedule

8 a.m. – Noon Residence Hall Move-In and Explore Campus

Please refer to communications from RLH regarding arrival time.

10 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Orientation Check In at the Kneller

All students should check in for Orientation, review missing documentation, and receive information about programming/meals for the rest of the day.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch for New Students and Families on the Campus Green

1 – 1:45 p.m. New Athletes Session with Trish Cronin, Athletics Director Jonas Clark 001

1:30 p.m. Doors Open for New Students and Family Welcome at the Kneller

2 – 2:45 p.m. Undergraduate New Student and Family Welcome at the Kneller

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Orientation Kick off with Peer Mentor and FYSA

4 – 5 p.m Family Goodbye Reception on the Campus Green

5 – 5:30 p.m. Peer Mentor Meet Up

5:30 – 7:15 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Dinner and Community Director Welcome

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Community Living Activity

8:15 – 10:30 p.m. Clark After Dark Activities

7 – 8:50 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 – 9:25 a.m. PM Meet Up

9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Rotating Sessions: Community Service Project and Engaging in the Worcester Community

Noon – 1:45 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Lunch and Success at College

2 – 5 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Creating our Inclusive Community and Campus Safety & Community Expectations

5 – 7 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Dinner and Campus Resource Fair

7 – 8 p.m. Peer Mentor End of Day Reflection

8 – 11 p.m. Clark After Dark

7 – 8:50 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 – 9:20 a.m. PM Check-In

9:30 – Noon Rotating Sessions: Consenting Communities, and Your Role as an Engaged Community Member

Noon – 3:15 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Lunch, Clark Quest, Break, First Year Intensive Academic Meeting

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Class of 2028 Photo

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Who Are You? Who Do You Want to Be?

5:30 – 7:15 p.m. Rotating Sessions: Dinner and Neighborhood Tour

7:30 – 8 p.m. PM End of Day Check In

8 – 11 p.m. Clark After Dark

What is Clark’s First-Year Experience Program all about?

Explore Now

Contact Information

Division of Student Success

Office Information

2nd Floor,
Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center
1-508-793-7423
success[at]clarku[dot]edu

Office Hours

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday