New Student Orientation

Orientation Details

Monday, August 28 - Sunday, September 3

Register for New Student Orientation

The GS New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) for the Fall 2023 semester will be held in person on the Morningside Heights Campus. Mandatory requirments will also be available online via the GS Orientation CourseWorks page in advance of Orientation.

Convocation

Monday, August 28
9 a.m. EST

Columbia University Morningside Campus

*Please Note: all new students must attend mandatory Orientation programming as it is required by the University and in some cases by federal guidelines.

Mandatory Orientation Programming*

Incoming Undergraduate Students: Monday, August 28 from 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m; Tuesday, August 29 from 9:45 a.m.–1 p.m. with an opportunity for lunch with your Orientation Leader at 1 p.m.
Incoming Postbac Premed Program Students: Monday, August 28 from 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 29 from 1:45 p.m.–6 p.m. with an opportunity for lunch with your Orientation leader at 12 p.m.

CourseWorks

In the weeks leading up to Orientation you will receive an email notification from "Columbia University Canvas" with instructions about how to access the GS Orientation Courseworks pages.

[email protected] is the University’s learning management system and is how you will access mandatory self-paced trainings and resources prior to Orientation. In addition, you will use CourseWorks to access course materials for your upcoming fall semester classes.

To access CourseWorks, you will need an active UNI and password. Once your account has been uploaded into the GS Orientation portal, you will receive an email notification from "Columbia University Canvas" with instructions about how to access the portal.

You must complete all "priority" items on the New Student Checklist (please see below) before you will gain access to the portal.

Note: Incoming students who have accepted their offer of admission and submitted their tuition deposit are issued a University Network Identification (UNI) by Columbia University IT (CUIT) generally within one week of completing those steps. Once your UNI has been created, it must be activated on the CUIT website.

Additional Orientation Programming

Additional optional events offered Tuesday, August 28 - Sunday, September 3 are great ways for incoming students to learn about additional resources at Columbia University and within GS, and to meet your peers and the GS Orientation Leaders.

Additional Resources

Please regularly re-visit this page for more information and updates as they are made available. Our office also sends regular New Student Newsletters with updates and relevant information.

For questions regarding Orientation, please contact [email protected].

Special Population Orientation Programs & Events

International Students Orientation Program

Friday, August 25

Incoming students are invited to attend a half-day orientation aimed at introducing international students to the resources and support available at Columbia. At this program you will learn how to create a meaningful and balanced lifestyle as you navigate Columbia.

Dual BA Orientation Program

Friday, August 25

Incoming students are invited to attend a panel and reception aimed at introducing international dual BA students to the community and support available at Columbia. At this program you will learn how to create a meaningful and balanced lifestyle as you navigate Columbia.

Veterans & NROTC Orientation Program

Friday, September 1 from 9 a.m - 2 pm.

Incoming students are invited to attend a half-day orientation designed to introduce military veteran and NROTC students to their peers, as well as to the many resources available to them in support of their transitions from the armed forces to student life at Columbia.

Family Orientation

Monday, August 28 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

We recognize that the GS community extends well beyond the University, and invite your families and significant others to join us for the GS New Student Welcome and Family Orientation, which features special programming for family members, including welcome remarks from Dean Rosen-Metsch and a faculty lecture followed by lunch, a presentation by the Dean of Students Office, an alumni/student panel, and a campus tour. Registration is required.

Learn More and Register

Orientation Accessibility Statement

The School of General Studies is committed to providing a New Student Orientation experience that is accessible for all. If you have any questions, or would like to request accommodations for our program, please email [email protected]. We also recommend that you register with the Office of Disability Services at [email protected], as they will be able to assist with comprehensive accommodations for Orientation and your full Columbia experience.

Learn More about New Student Orientation Programming

The New Student Orientation Program is mandatory for all entering students. The week includes a series of events that provide an introduction to the stimulating intellectual and social environment at Columbia, as well as the abundant resources available at GS and the University. The primary goals of Orientation are to help students navigate the University environment and meet fellow incoming students.

The New Student Orientation Program is designed to:

Familiarize students with University standards and principles of our academic community
Present tips and key information that will make students' first days at Columbia, and their transition to GS, go smoothly
Introduce students to resources critical to personal and academic success at Columbia including administrators and faculty members
Provide an opportunity to meet other new and continuing GS students, many of whom will become part of a network of support at Columbia
Acquaint students with GS traditions within the context of University history
Provide students with the opportunity to meet peers in Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia Engineering
Share a portrait of the incoming class in all its diversity and richness as new students are welcomed into the vibrant GS community