How UChicago College Orientation Works for Newly Admitted Students

Orientation at the University of Chicago begins the summer before you arrive, starting with Online Orientation, and continues on campus during Orientation Week (often called O-Week). The College's welcome page for newly admitted students confirms this two-part sequence: admitted students complete the online portion first, then attend in-person programs when they arrive on campus. The page notes that further details on both Online Orientation and O-Week programs appear below the welcome message.

The sequence: online first, then on campus

Orientation is structured so that pre-arrival preparation happens remotely and campus-based programming picks up once you arrive.

1. Online Orientation (summer before arrival). Admitted students begin orientation online during the summer. This is the first stage and takes place before you set foot on campus.
2. Orientation Week / O-Week (on campus). After you arrive, orientation continues with Orientation Week, the in-person program that introduces you to campus life and the College community.

The order matters: the online portion is designed to be completed before the in-person week begins, so plan to finish it during the summer rather than waiting until you arrive.

What the welcome page tells you

The College's admitted-student page frames orientation as a welcome into the community and points to two program blocks:

• Online Orientation — the summer, pre-arrival component.
• O-Week programs — the on-campus component during Orientation Week.

The page states that program details for both are listed below the welcome message, so the specific schedule and session information live further down that page rather than in the welcome text itself.

Where to go for specifics

Because the welcome page directs readers downward for program details, treat it as the entry point rather than the full schedule:

• Scroll past the welcome message to find the Online Orientation and O-Week program listings.
• Use the page's resource links for broader support, including the Student Resource Directory (to connect with staff who support students across campus) and Family Resources (for families staying informed during the undergraduate journey).
• For academic context while you prepare, the page also outlines the College's programs of study and the Core Curriculum, which serves as the foundation for major coursework.

Quick reference

If you are an admitted student planning your summer, the practical takeaway is to complete Online Orientation before arrival and expect the on-campus program to follow during Orientation Week. Check the College's admitted-student page for the current program details, since the page notes that specifics are listed below the welcome message.