Whether your student is brand new to collegeor is transferring in from another school, transitioning to the University of Rochester is a big adjustment—not only for your student, but for your entire family. We are here to provide support, answer questions, and give you the resources you need to help your student as they begin this new journey. Let's get your student ready for URochester!
Please note: A version of this email was also sent to both your student's personal and University of Rochester email addresses. Moving forward, all emails will be sent to your student'sUniversity of Rochester email account only.
An overview of your student's orientation program:
Our orientation program is required for all incoming students and consists of two parts:
1. Rochester Ready: Designed to introduce your student to University academics and student life, this online orientation program consists of four components to be finished over the summer, before they arrive on campus in August.
Complete the new student checklist.
Attend required webinars, watch required resource videos, and complete required modules in Blackboard.
Connect with their academic advisor and register for their fall classes.
Get to know their Orientation Leaders and incoming classmates.
2. Fall Welcome Week:This in-person program will provide you and your student the opportunity to connect with other incoming students and families, learn to navigate campus and academics, and celebrate some of our unique University of Rochester traditions from Monday, August 24 through Saturday, August 29.
Please note: Events for parents and families will begin in the evening on Monday, August 24 and run through the late afternoon on Wednesday, August 26.
The new student checklist on our website is a comprehensive guide to all the required items your student needs to complete before their first semester begins.
We know it can look a bit overwhelming–here are a few tips to help your student navigate the checklist:
Complete the enrollment tasks to make sure their online accounts are all set up and accessible before they begin any other other tasks.
Review the systems and platforms page to familiarize themselves with the different systems they'll be using this summer and beyond.
Get registered for this summer's required webinars on Zoom. This will set up automated email reminders, so they don't miss any of the live events. (These webinars are open to parents and families, too!)
Subscribe to the Fall 2026 checklist calendar to add all the dates from the checklist to their personal calendar, with reminders 24-48 hours before each deadline so they can stay on track.
Ask your student to take a moment to review the checklist now, as there are two tasks due soon:
In addition to the new student checklist and the families page on our website, here are the other ways you can expect to connect with our team, the University, and other incoming families throughout this summer:
Rochester Ready newsletter: This orientation newsletter will start sending to you in early June (along with anyone else your student has added as their parent or guardian in UR Student). Full of important resources and upcoming deadlines for incoming students, you'll want to be sure to review each issue. (But if you happen to miss one, they will be posted on our website, too.)
Rochester Family newsletter: As a family member of a URochester undergraduate student, you will also begin receiving the Rochester Family newsletter in mid-June. Emailed monthly throughout the year, this newsletter is designed to keep parents and families informed about important University information. Past issues of these newsletters, along with a catalog of other incoming student communications, is available on our website.
Facebook group: Join other parents and family members of URochester students in this private Facebook group to ask questions, share tips, and find connections.
Welcome events: Meet other incoming families at these in-person and virtual welcome events throughout the summer.
