New Student Orientation

Registration will open mid-November. To register. students must:

1. Log into their Admissions Portal. The link to register is at the top of the status page.
2. Register for the preferred date. In person orientation will be held Friday 1/9 and virtual will be held  Friday 1/16. It is required that students attend one of these options.

NOTE:  Since students are logging into their admissions portal to register, they must use the email address and password used when  they submitted their 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.

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

Student lunch is in the The Commons Dining Hall and is included in the program. Families and guests lunch is included in the guest charge and will also be eating in the SECC Dining Hall.

Orientation will take place on the ground floor of the Science & Engineering Center and The Commons (SECC). Check back soon for a copy of our schedule!

 

New Student Programs will host an in person orientation on January 9, 2026 and a virtual orientation on January 16, 2026. Students only need to attend ONE orientation day, either virtual or in person. 

Free parking will be available in the New Street Garage located at 704 S. New Street. Please use this as your primary parking location. You can find the garages and the Science & Engineering Center and The Commons (SECC) on WCU's campus map. 

To avoid being ticketed or towed, do not park in designated 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 students need to reschedule orientation for either the in person day or virtual day, you can do so in your admissions portal. If you run into any issues, please reach out to orientation@wcupa.edu for assistance. 

Please note that an inclement weather decision will be made at least 24 hours before the in-person orientation on Friday, January 9, if the event is cancelled. In the event that we are not able to hold the in person orientation, those registered for in person orientation will automatically be registered for virtual orientation happening on Friday, January 16.

At our in person orientation, we will be collecting items for the WCU Resource Pantry. 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:

Residence Hall Supplies

• Can openers
• Sponges
• Dish soap
• Hand soap
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Laundry pods
• Dryer sheets
• Tissues
• Trash bags
   

Personal Care items

• Body wash
• Deodorant
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Lotion
• Facial tissues
• Body wipes
• Chapstick
• Menstrual products
   

Shelf-Stable Food Items

• All soups
• Cereal
• Granola bar
• Snack-size Chips, Pretzels, Cheez its, etc.
• Popcorn
• Mac and Cheese
• Pasta/Pasta Sauce
• Microwavable meals/ramen
• Seasoning/Spices 

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

 

During  orientation, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your peers, learn more about WCU resources, connect with academic programs, and have your questions answered.