First-Year Orientation

Your Orientation Starts Here

New Student Orientation (NSO) is your first big step to feeling ready, confident, and connected as a first-year student at CWU.

Orientation is required for any incoming student with 44 or fewer post–high school college credits—this includes Running Start students, since those credits are earned while you’re still in high school.

New Student Orientation 2026 dates:

Students will begin receiving registration information about New Student Orientation on February 5th, 2026.

  • Monday, June 29th
  • Friday, July 10th
  • Saturday, July 11th
  • Friday, July 17th
  • Saturday, July 18th
  • Friday, July 24th
  • Friday, July 31st
  • Saturday, Aug 1st
  • Friday, August 14th
  • Thursday, September 17th (day before Fall move-in, for our out of state, military or late admit students)
Register for Orientation

What Orientation Looks Like

Orientation is informative, fun, and full of connection. See what it’s been like for past Wildcats and get ready to make your own memories.

What to Expect

New Student Orientation is a one-day, in-person experience for you and your support network. During NSO, you’ll:

  • Register for your Fall 2026 classes
  • Meet CWU faculty, staff, and other new students
  • Connect with Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Housing, Dining Services, and more 
  • Learn about Move-In and Week of Welcome in September
  • Take campus tours, explore resources, and get your questions answered
  • Check off any final Next Steps items 

Orientation is an all-day event, usually 8:30 am–5:00 pm. You and your supporters will stick together in the morning and split for student- and family-specific sessions in the afternoon.

Morning and Afternoon Schedule

Morning (students and supporters together)

  • Check-in and campus tours
  • Welcome to CWU
  • General Education overview
  • Your Fall Quarter session
  • Financial Aid, Housing & Dining, Student Services Fair 
  • Lunch at Holmes Dining

Afternoon (students and supporters split)

  • Students: Orientation Leader chats, class registration, social belonging fun.
  • Parents/Supporters: Parent Orientation session, campus department panel, or Spanish-language track (Todos Somos Familia)
Take a quick look at last year's schedule for all the more details.

UNIV 101: Transition to CWU

All first-year students (44 or fewer credits) take University 101, a graded course that supports your transition, builds connections, and helps you succeed. Running Start students are also required to attend NSO and WoW, and you’re encouraged to take UNIV 101 even if you have over 45 credits.

Week of Welcome

Your Orientation Experience has two parts: New Student Orientation (one day, in-person) and Week of Welcome (WoW), a required five-day event— no extra registration needed.

Learn More

New Student Orientation Information

  • Orientation Schedule

    New Student Orientation is an all-day activity, lasting from 8:30am-5:00pm.

    2026 Schedule to be released in early Spring!!

    View our 2025 New Student Orientation Guidebook

    *Student and Parents / Support Networks will stay together in the morning 

    Morning Schedule 

    • 7:30am – 8:30am 
      • Check In 
      • Campus Tours 
    • 8:30am – 9:15am 
      • Welcome to CWU 
    • 9:15am – 10:00am 
      • General Education Requirements 
    • 10:15am – 12:00pm 
      • Your Fall Quarter Session 
    • 11:00am – 1:30pm 
      • Campus Tours 
      • Financial Aid 
      • Housing & Dining 
      • Residence Hall Tours 
      • Student Services & Employment Fair 
    • 11:00am – 2:00pm 
      • Lunch at Holmes Dining 

    *Students and Parents / Support Networks will split in the afternoon 

    Student Afternoon Schedule 

    • 1:30pm – 2:30pm 
      • Orientation Leader Chats 
    • 2:30pm – 4:15pm 
      • Class Registration 
    • 3:00pm – 4:30pm 
      • Student Engagement Ice Cream Social 

     Parents / Support Networks Afternoon Schedule 

    • 1:30pm – 3:30pm
      • Todos Somos Familia (Spanish-Language Track) 
    • 1:30pm – 2:15pm 
      • Parents / Support Networks Orientation (English-Language Track Session One) 
    • 2:25pm – 3:30pm 
      • Panel of Campus Department Representatives (English-Language Track Session Two) 
  • Orientation Fee

    All incoming first-year students will receive a New Student Orientation fee on their student account at the beginning of the academic year. This New Student Orientation fee will cover the programming, materials, activities, meals, parking, and facilities costs of New Student Orientation.

    The New Student Orientation fee is a mandatory fee and can be covered by financial aid or paid like tuition and other fees.

  • FAQs and Next Steps

    How do I change my NSO date? Contact us at 509-963-1507 or CWU.Orientation@cwu.edu.

    Can’t make it to any in-person session? We know things happen. If you have an extenuating circumstance, reach out to discuss options.

    What should I do before NSO? Visit the Admissions Next Steps page to stay on track.

    When will I meet an Academic Advisor? You’ll connect during NSO and get follow-up info by email.

    Do I need placement tests? Talk with your Academic Advisor about what you might need. CWU offers a Writing Self-Assessment for English placement and recommends the ALEKS test for math.

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Take the Next Step

Questions? Contact Us.

Orientation and Transition Programs

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