New Student Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains anticipated FAQs and important information regarding our New Student and Family Orientation program which will take place throughout June/July 2026.

Still have questions? Please email orientationgwu [dot] edu (orientation[at]gwu[dot]edu) or familiesgwu [dot] edu (families[at]gwu[dot]edu).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

New Student Orientation

Is Orientation Mandatory?: Yes! New Student Orientation is a required experience that prepares you to enter the GW community with the information needed to get started. Should you fail to attend a New Student Orientation session, an Academic Hold will be placed on your account, impacting your ability to register for Spring 2027 classes.
What happens If I don’t go through Orientation?: Orientation is required, and failure to attend will result in an academic hold. This hold will keep you from registering for classes going into the following semester. Attendance will be tracked and shared to make sure that sessions are completed.
What if I can’t attend a Summer session of Orientation?: If you’re unable to attend a June/July Orientation session, please reach out to us at orientationgwu [dot] edu (orientation[at]gwu[dot]edu) as soon as possible. New first-year students should plan to attend one of the four June sessions unless you are studying on a J-1 or F-1 visa, or you have an extenuating circumstance. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Is the August Orientation session just for International Students?: The August first-year Orientation session is for International Students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa or for students with extenuating circumstances whose situations will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Is there only one Transfer Student Orientation session?: There is a session for all incoming transfer students joining us in the Fall semester happening on August 19, 2026. This will be a modified version of our schedule, making all the programming happen in one day. The day will answer questions, provide opportunities to meet other students, and get students acquainted with GWU.
How do I indicate any accommodations (dietary restrictions, mobility accommodations, etc.) that my students or I will need?: While registering through the Orientation portal, there will be fields to indicate the need for any/all accommodations.
Is there any cost associated with Orientation?: No, there is no registration fee for students and families.

Review and update your personal information in GWeb (https://it.gwu.edu/gweb) by choosing "My Profile" under the Personal Information menu. Here you can add or update your Chosen name (which will be your display name across university systems, including class rosters), pronouns and gender identity, and contact information. To update your legal name or sex, please use the Registrar's Biographical Update form.

Arriving Early?

How do I sign up for an Early Arrival time slot? & what if registration is full?: Early Arrival slots are limited. The day after registering for your New Student Orientation session, you will be prompted to register for early arrival accommodations should you need them. You will only be able to register for an early arrival slot after you’ve registered for Orientation and only as long as slots are available. You will not be able to register for a slot if the session is full.
What is Early Arrival?: Early Arrival accommodations are provided to those who need to arrive on campus the evening before their orientation session. Following registering for your session, you’ll be prompted to register for an early arrival slot, if there is space available. Spots are limited, so we recommend registering for New Student Orientation as soon as you’re able.

GW Guardian is a smartphone app that provides an additional layer of safety to the university's emergency mass notification services. The app enables users on an off-campus to:

Receive targeted advisories and alerts from GW Division of Safety and Facilities
Connect directly with GW Police and EMeRG
Access a directory of key phone numbers and websites
Set a Safety Timer and assign a virtual Guardian to monitor the user's safety late at night or while traveling

Learn more about the Guardian App!

When and Where?

Summer 2026 Orientation Dates

June 22-23 (early arrival option: June 21)
- Students participating in Summer Academy Ignite should register for this session
June 29-30 (early arrival option: June 28)
July 6-7 (no early arrival option)
July 13-14 (early arrival option: July 12)
Final first-year session in August**** (no early arrival)
- This session is for International Students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, for students with extenuating circumstances and/or experiencing financial hardship. All these students should reach out to us ASAP.

Where does New Student Orientation take place?

New Student Orientation will take place on the Foggy Bottom campus in the University Student Center. Early arrivals should check in at Thurston Hall (1900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20052) - you will receive an email with more information regarding early arrival accommodations following registering for Orientation.

If you are joining us the morning of the program you will check-in starting at 8:00 AM at the University Student Center 1st Floor (800 21st St NW Washington DC, 20009). The Resource Fair will begin at 8:30 AM with Orientation Welcome kicking off at 9:30 AM.

What time do I need to be on campus for the first day of Orientation?

Check-in for Orientation starts at 8:00 AM at the University Student Center 1st Floor (800 21st St NW Washington DC, 20009) and is followed by a resource fair, optional campus tours, and the Orientation Welcome. Students and their guests must check-in for Orientation prior to attending sessions for the day. The Resource Fair will begin at 8:30 AM with Orientation Welcome kicking off at 9:30 AM. You must check-in for the program in order for your attendance to count.

How can I access the Orientation Schedule?

Check-in for Orientation begins at 8:00 AM and is followed by a resource fair, optional campus tours, and the Orientation Welcome. You will have access to view your full Orientation schedule when you arrive for Orientation through the guidebook app.

How long will sessions last on Day 2?

The second day of programming will be all day, wrapping up with Check-Out at 4:00 PM. We will ask you to present at all sessions on Day 2, as Check-Out will be used to track final attendance.

Students register for courses in Banweb.

Students starting at GW in the Fall: Course registration takes place in August. Review the Pre-Orientation Online Module and sign up for ONE class registration session in your admitted student portal.

Overnight Accomodations

Do I have to stay in the residence hall during Orientation?

As a part of your registration for Orientation, you will be assigned a room in Thurston Hall for overnight stay. This will ensure you’re on time for your session, you’ll have easy access to events, resources, and your peers throughout the session.

What residence hall will I be staying in?

Students will stay in Thurston Hall over their Orientation session. All students will be rooming with randomly assigned roommates upon checking into Thurston Hall.

Can my family members stay in the residence hall with me?

Thurston Residence hall rooms are only for our incoming undergraduate students. We encourage your family and supporters to consider booking a discounted stay with one of our local Summer Orientation hotel partners here. Many are within easy walking distance to campus.

What do I need for my overnight stay in Thurston Hall?

Linens and towels are not provided, so you will need to pack for an overnight stay in the building. We also have an included packing list here!

For your stay in Thurston Hall
- Bedding: Twin XL sheets (or a sleeping bag), a blanket, and a pillow
- Personal care: towel, shower shoes (for community bathroom), items needed for overnight stay.
For your Orientation session:
- We recommend you bring a laptop and charger
- Ask Questions & Engage!
- You’ll meet the people who facilitate important resources, your Orientation Leader (current student), and other new students over the course of your session
Summer weather in Washington, D.C. can be hot, humid, and quickly changes.We recommend packing clothes you will be comfortable in all day, close-toed shoes for evening programming, an umbrella, and a light layer for indoor programming!

GW uses a variety of sources to determine financial aid awards. Please review the application information from the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.

Parking

Where should I park?: Parking is available in the University Student Center Garage (Access on H Street between 21st and 22nd streets, NW). If you need to find other parking or have questions, check out the Parking website here!
Will I get my parking validated?: We are not able to validate parking. You can view the on-campus parking rates here.

Before arriving at GW, review the Student Code of Conduct to gain an understanding on what is and is not allowed at GW.

Prior to Arrival

Do I have to complete the “Ready, Rev, GO!” and the “Perspectives” Modules before I attend Orientation?: The Ready, Rev, GO! and “Perspectives” Modules will need to be completed prior to coming to your registered Orientation. The information that will be presented in the modules will be supplementary to the information given at the session, allowing you to get some answers prior to joining us on campus.

For all of your textbook and GW merch needs, the GW Campus Store is the official one-stop shop for everything you’ll need. After registering for classes, you just need to enter your GWid on their website, and it will pull up all of the textbooks and materials you’ll need, making it quick and easy to be ready for classes. Browse the Campus Store either online or on-campus and find what merch you want to rep your GW Pride!