Yes, all new students are expected to attend, and we offer 10 sessions during the summer months. Be sure to sign up for the session correlating to your school of enrollment or academic program!

At orientation you learn about the University, ask questions, meet with an academic advisor, sign up for classes, and get to know people. You have the chance to speak with representatives from various offices (such as Housing & Residence Life and Dining Services) and handle logistical details like familiarizing yourself with Grounds and getting your student ID.

Exceptions to the above include RN to BSN Nursing students, as well as London First and Shanghai First students, who will have their own orientations in their respective fall semester locations.

Days on the Lawn are daylong Office of Admission events held during the spring for newly-admitted students. They are meant for students who are undecided about accepting their admission offer at UVA. Those students who have already decided to become Wahoos are welcome to visit Grounds on any other day, when it's less crowded.

Summer Orientation sessions are held in the summer for students who are matriculating at UVA. At orientation, students meet with an academic advisor, sign up for classes, get to know people, and begin to become familiar with student life at the University of Virginia.

While not all new students attend Days on the Lawn, all do attend Summer Orientation.

You can register for Summer Orientation:

• 72 hours after you pay your $400 tuition deposit
• After activating your UVA email account
• After submitting your University ID card photo
  • Students should allow 24 to 72 hours after completing all steps of the Student IT Checklist, before attempting to upload their photo for their UVA ID Card.  

You complete the registration process on this New Student Portal.

You should plan to attend one of the sessions for the school or program in which you are enrolled.

To see your session choices and their dates, select your school and year on the Session Dates page.

Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your session selection confirmation at the end of the online registration process.

Orientation sessions fill on a first come, first served basis. You may change your orientation session until June 3 by logging in to your new student portal.

First-Year Sessions: Students are provided with lunch and dinner on day one of the session and breakfast and lunch on day two of the session. Guests receive lunch and an evening reception on day one and lunch on day two.

Transfer Sessions: Students and guests are provided with continental breakfast, lunch, and an optional dinner.

Session K: Students are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both days of the session (August 21/22). Guests are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on August 21, and breakfast and lunch on August 22.

Your UID number is the nine-digit number that serves as your ID throughout your time at UVA. Assigned to you by the University, it is NOT your Social Security number. You can retrieve your UID number online. To do so you will need your seven-digit UVA Student Information System (SIS) ID number. This number can be found in the email acknowledging receipt of your application for admission.

If you require disability-related or medical accommodation during Summer Orientation, please contact the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) at Student Health: (434) 243-5180. You also have the opportunity to note special accommodations (for you and/or your guests) during the orientation registration process.

Cavalier Outdoor Adventure Retreat (COAR) is a unique three-day, extended orientation designed for first-year students who have completed their orientation session. Participants will camp in Shenandoah National Park, hike to waterfalls, enjoy scenic mountain views, and have the opportunity to stay at Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park.