NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION EXPERIENCES – WHAT TO EXPECT
Spring 2025 New Student Orientation will consist of a combination of online and in-person experiences for you and your supporters.
Spring New Student Orientation will consist of the following:
1. Online Pre-Orientation
The first step in your Orientation experience is participating in the online pre-orientation session which takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. This session will provide you with valuable resources and information to prepare you for your in-person orientation experience.
2. Orientation Day (In-person)
At your in-person orientation, you and your guest(s) will hear from current students and staff about what it means to be a successful Bobcat and receive valuable insight on how to make a smooth transition to UC Merced.
The orientation day experience will consist of two separate programs, one for students and another for parents & guests. The orientation day will start at 8am with check-in at the Conference Center Lobby and will end by 5pm with a farewell reception also in the Conference Center Lobby. Students and their guests are expected to stay for the entire duration of the orientation experience.
Please note that the content for students and parents & guests will be unique to the audience.
Parking is included in your orientation fee and will be available in the Bellevue parking lot. Signage will be displayed to help you locate the designated orientation parking spaces in the Bellevue parking lot.
A light continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments will be provided for you at your orientation. We will also have hydration stations available where you can fill up a refillable water bottle. We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle to your orientation.
GOALS
Get Connected- Ensure students are connected to a member of the UC Merced community
Get Motivated- Ensure students are motivated to achieve their personal and/or academic goals
Get Prepared- Ensure students feel ready to start their first semester successfully by being academically prepared and registered for their courses
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After attending New Student Orientation 2025 a student who successfully completes New Student Orientation will be able to:
1. Develop at least one connection with a UC Merced student, orientation leader, staff, or faculty by the end of orientation.
2. Identify at least one on campus resource they can utilize during their first year of college.
3. Describe at least one personal and/or academic goal they want to achieve by the end of their first semester.
4. Articulate why they chose to attend UC Merced.
5. Get Prepared: Describe beliefs, choices and behaviors required to succeed at a research university.
DRIVING TO CAMPUS
Please note that there is ongoing construction in the city of Merced on HWY 99 heading northbound. If you are coming into Merced please stay on the right lane in order to get off on your exit in Merced. If you stay on the left lane there are no exits due to the ongoing construction.
(Review) HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Face coverings are recommended indoors. For more information please visit doyourpart.ucmerced.edu. You can click here for a direct link to the website.
If you have any questions you can reach us at orientation@ucmerced.edu.
