New Student Orientation

1. Log into your Admissions Portal. The link to register will be at the top of your status page once registration opens.
2. Register for your preferred date.

NOTE:  Since you are logging into your admissions portal to register, use the email address and password you used when you submitted your admissions application to WCU.

New Student Programs is committed to making orientation accessible to all new Golden Rams and their guests. Please specify your needs on your orientation registration form, or reach out to us at orientation@wcupa.edu or (610) 436-3305 to discuss: 

• Accessibility Needs
  We will do our best to accommodate all accessibility needs. The sooner we know about your needed accommodation, the more time we have to prepare. While we will make every effort to meet your needs, we may be unable to assist with accommodation requests received fewer than two weeks before your scheduled orientation and will communicate any progress with you.
• Spanish Language Interpretation
  New Student Programs offers interpretation services to our Spanish-speaking students and guests. Please let us know on your registration form or email us at orientation@wcupa.edu if you or your guest would like to utilize this service, and one of our interpreters will reach out to discuss your needs.
  
• Low Sensory Spaces
  We recognize that some of the large sessions at orientation may cause sensory concerns for some individuals. Alternative low-sensory spaces will be available to make those sessions accessible to new Rams and their guests. Please see any member of the orientation staff and they can direct you to this space.  A low-sensory space is also available during lunch as an alternative to The Commons Dining Hall. We also have an accessible visual schedule which you can view here for the students and here for families. 

The Commons Dining Hall

Before coming to on-campus orientation, upload an ID photo for your Ram Card.

Learn more about Next Steps for Accepted Students.

Students' lunch in the dining hall is included in the program. Families and Guests can pay $8 to eat lunch in the dining hall.

To prepare for your day, we wanted to share some directions about how to purchase a family/guest meal ticket ahead of time. This will save time in the line that can build up upon entering the dining hall. If you purchase a meal ticket ahead of time, all you need to do is show your proof of purchase to the person working at the front register!

To purchase a meal ticket for yourself as a family or guest:

• Download the grub hub app on your smart device. Meal ticket sales go through the app and are not available on web browsers at this time.
• Sign into your grub hub account or create a grub hub account.
• Once in the grub hub app, click this link. It will take you directly to the Commons Dining Hall ticket sales page.
• Once in the WCU grub hub Commons Dining Hall section, select Ticket Entry.
• Then, you can purchase a meal ticket for the orientation day you will be attending with your student. Please note, students do not need to purchase a meal ticket. Their ticket is included with their orientation day. These are only for family or guests.

If you are unable to buy a meal ticket ahead of time, don’t worry. You may buy tickets cash (preferred) or card at the door. 

We know orientation is an exciting time for the entire family, but due to space limitations, each new Ram is permitted to bring only one guest to orientation. We appreciate your cooperation with this policy in order to ensure a comfortable, productive orientation day for everyone. Guests and students will attend separate orientation sessions for portions of the day. Parents, guardians, and anyone who supports a Golden Ram are encouraged to sign up for Ram Fam Central to help them stay up to date on the latest news, information and happenings at WCU.

On-campus Orientation check-in starts at 8:30 AM at the Asplundh Concert Hall in the Philips Memorial Building located at 700 S. High St. The orientation program begins promptly at 9:15 AM and will end at 4 PM. Student and guest schedules will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Please view our 2024 Student Schedule here.

Please view our 2024 Family and Guest Schedule here.

New Golden Rams are required to attend one of the following summer orientation sessions for their academic college. 

Thursday, June 20  
College of Arts & Humanities, College of Education & Social Work, University College, Wells School of Music, Academic Success Program

Friday, June 21
College of Business & Public Management, College of Health Sciences, Academic Success Program

Tuesday, June 25
College of Sciences & Mathematics, University College, Academic Success Program

Wednesday, June 26
College of Business & Public Management, College of Health Sciences, Academic Success Program

Thursday, June 27
College of Sciences & Mathematics, University College, Academic Success Program

Friday, June 28  
College of Arts & Humanities, College of Education & Social Work, College of Health Sciences, Wells School of Music, Academic Success Program

Tuesday, July 9
College of Arts & Humanities, College of Education & Social Work, University College, Wells School of Music

Wednesday, July 10
College of Sciences & Mathematics, University College

Thursday, July 11
College of Business & Public Management, College of Health Sciences

Friday, July 12
College of Business & Public Management, College of Sciences & Mathematics

Free parking will be available in the Sharpless Parking Garage located at the corner of S. Church and Sharpless Streets (enter on Sharpless Street). Alternate parking will be available in The Commons Parking Garage (enter on N. Campus Drive). You can find both garages on our campus map. 

To avoid being ticketed or towed, do not park in faculty/staff parking lots. These require a valid permit and are strictly enforced. Street parking is controlled by the Borough of West Chester and is also strictly enforced. If parking on the street, you will need to pay at the meter or kiosk. West Chester University does not validate or reimburse for Borough-controlled parking. 

If you need to reschedule your orientation, please reach out to orientation@wcupa.edu for assistance. Requests to reschedule can only be accommodated if space permits. 

The West Chester University Resource Pantry supports student success by minimizing food and basic need insecurity and preparing students for life after graduation.

As a new Golden Ram, you can help support the Resource Pantry's mission by bringing a donation with you to orientation! The most-needed items for the Resource Pantry include:

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

• Body wash
• Deodorant
• Dish soap
• Dryer sheets
• Laundry pods
• Lotion
• Menstrual Care Products
• Paper towels
• Reusable shopping bags
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Shaving lotion 
• Soap (bar and pump)
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrushes/oral care

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• Backpacks
• Binders
• Folders
• Loose Leaf Paper
• Notebooks
• Pens, pencils, and highlighters

You can also check out the Resource Pantry's Amazon Wish List for more ideas!

During on-campus orientation, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your orientation leaders and meet other new Rams, and you'll meet with a representative from your academic department who will review scheduling and requirements for your major and answer questions. You'll also learn about all the support services WCU offers to help every Golden Ram be successful.