First-Year Orientation

Access the New Student Portal and Register for Orientation

The First-Year Orientation Process

Orientation for all new first-year students entering for the fall 2024 term includes the following components, which must be completed in order: 

Step 1: Register for Orientation

Registration for the orientation process will begin Wednesday, March 13 at 1:00 pm EST. In order to register for orientation, you must confirm your admission via the applicant status page and enroll in Duo two-factor authentication.

Within 48 hours after confirming your admission, you can register for orientation using the orientation registration system. The registration process should take you less than 5 minutes. We’ll ask you to confirm your major, self-report any AP or CCP credits you’re expecting, request accommodations for any disabilities during the orientation process, and share contact information for any family members or guests who will join you for your on-campus orientation program.

When you complete your registration, students will receive a confirmation email to your Miami University email address, and registered guests will also receive a confirmation email.

Please note:

  • Orientation programs fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not have waiting lists, so new students should register early and be as flexible as possible with their availability.
  • One common misperception is that students who attend later orientation sessions will have significant difficulty registering for classes. In reality, seats in the most common first-year courses are released for each orientation program, so students who attend later sessions are not at a disadvantage. Every student will leave orientation with a full schedule of classes that will help you on your way to timely degree completion. 

Register for Orientation

Step 2: Complete Part 1 of the Orientation Canvas Course

After registering for an orientation session, you will receive an invitation to join the orientation Canvas modules (beginning on May 10, 2024). Students who confirm admission or register for orientation on or after May 10 will receive the course invitation on the next business day after registering for orientation. Each module in the course will include important information about your academic and social transition to Miami.

Completing part 1 of the orientation Canvas modules is required prior to attending your on-campus orientation program date and is required prior to academic advising and registration. The information you receive in Canvas will be specific to your academic college, so if you are considering changing your major, let us know using the orientation registration system so you’ll see the correct academic information.

You are required to complete part 1 of the orientation Canvas modules at least 5 days before your scheduled on-campus orientation session. The orientation Canvas course includes important material about academic and student life, and will be referenced during your on-campus orientation session. 

Step 3: Attend Your On-Campus Orientation Program

The Orientation and Transition Programs team is eager to welcome you to campus for orientation, where you'll build on your connection to Miami and become more familiar with our university community and the resources and support that will help you meet your goals. As a new student, you'll learn about your academic curriculum, meet with an advisor, and register for classes at orientation. You'll also meet new friends, eat in campus dining facilities, have the option to stay overnight in a campus residence hall, and much more. First-year students are required to attend one of our eighteen one-and-a-half day sessions that take place in May and June. If you're unable to attend one of the orientation dates, please contact us at orientation@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-9771 to register for the August orientation date. 

Step 4: Complete Part 2 of the Orientation Canvas Course

On July 8, 2024, Part 2 of the orientation Canvas modules will become available and is due in mid-August. Information about student services, campus life, transitioning to college, Miami traditions, and next steps is included in the remaining Canvas course modules. Part 2 of the orientation Canvas modules will also include your links to the Alcohol Edu, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion required online trainings.

Step 5: Attend Transition to College Webinars 

A series of webinars will be available for you and your family members to learn more about life on campus. Webinars will include opportunities to connect with other new students and gain further depth about opportunities of interest. A full schedule of webinars will be available in June.

Step 6: Optional - Attend a Miami Bound Program

Optional Miami Bound programs offer opportunities for new students to engage in learning, leading, and connecting to Miami and other new students before fall semester classes begin. 

Through Miami Bound programs, first-year students can meet other new students with common interests, build community that connects them to Miami, learn about campus services and resources. Miami Bound programs are optional and may require an additional cost to participate. 

Miami Bound registration opens on May 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. You must be registered for an orientation session before you're eligible to sign up for a Miami Bound program. You must complete each of these online trainings to register for future classes; students who do not complete all of the above trainings will have a registration hold placed on their account until they are complete.

Step 7: Attend Welcome Weekend and First 50 Days

A full schedule of Welcome Weekend programs will introduce you to campus and to other new students. We also coordinate programs through the First 50 Days of the semester to help you connect with campus communities, support services, and involvement opportunities.

If you have questions about any of these items, contact Orientation and Transition Programs at 513-529-9771 or orientation@MiamiOH.edu.