Yes, all new students (with the exception of RN to BSN Nursing 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, sign up for classes, and get to know other incoming students. You have the chance to speak with representatives from various offices, connect with your peers, and learn about student life from upperclass students.

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.

While not all new students attend Days on the Lawn, all do attend Summer Orientation. Most Summer Orientation sessions are two days long, and are held in the summer for students who are matriculating at UVA. At orientation, students ask questions, sign up for classes, get to know people, and begin to become familiar with student life at the University of Virginia.

For more information about Days on the Lawn, please reach out to UVA's Office of Admissions.

You will complete your registration through the New Student Portal beginning in April.

Further information about this process can be found on our website under the First Steps section.

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

Your new student portal will automatically populate with the orientation sessions you are eligible for. You are welcome to choose any of the sessions it populates with.  

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 1 by logging in to your New Student Portal and navigating to your "My Orientation Reservation" task. You will be able to choose from any orientation sessions still available. 

First-Year Sessions: Check in on Day 1 of your orientation session will begin around 8am. Summer Orientation ends at 5pm on Day 2. All students should plan to stay the full duration.

Transfer Sessions: Check-in will begin at 7:30 am and Summer Orientation ends at 5:15 pm the same day.

Further details about the schedule for your orientation session will be sent to your email after registering.

Students will be staying on Grounds overnight between Day 1 and Day 2 of their orientation. They will stay in the Alderman Road dorms. 

First-Year Sessions: Students are provided with lunch and dinner on Day 1 of the session and breakfast and lunch on Day 2 of the session. Guests receive lunch and an evening reception on Day 1 and lunch on Day 2.

Transfer Sessions: Students and guests are provided with lunch. 

Session K: Students are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both days of the session. Guests will be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Day 1, and breakfast and lunch on Day 2.

If you require disability-related or medical accommodations 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 accommodation requests (for you and/or your guests) during the orientation registration process.

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 here. 

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.

First-Year & Transfer Sessions: Orientation parking and check-in will be at the John Paul Jones (JPJ) Arena (295 Massie Rd, Charlottesville, VA). 

Session K: Park at the Culbreth Parking Garage, (130 Culbreth Rd, Charlottesville, VA). 

Do not park in other locations as you will be ticketed, towed, or asked to pay the daily hourly rate. Do not attempt to drive up to the Alderman Road Residential Area.