302-831-3313 otp@udel.edu

Orientation and Transition Programs

welcomes you to the University of Delaware!

OTP’s primary goal is to provide you and your family with the tools you need to explore UD’s offerings, access important resources, learn about a wide range of activities and programs, and discover what it means to be a “Fightin’ Blue Hen.”

To ensure your successful transition to UD, this site has information about OTP and the University, including important tasks you’ll need to complete before arriving on campus.

Apply to be a 2024 Welcome Ambassador

Application open through Friday, March 22

 

Volunteer to strengthen your skills in:

  • taking initiative
  • making connections
  • helping support students
  • operating as a team
  • critical thinking
  • customer service
  • large group management
  • operating effectively in a fast-paced environment
  • collaborating with peers and professional staff
3 smiling welcome ambassadors pose with UD welcome materials

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Virtual orientation: Friday, January 26, 2024

In-person orientation: Thursday, February 1, 2024

(for new students entering UD in Spring 2024)

NSO covers important topics such as student life, academics and registration, and safety and wellbeing. During your orientation you will meet your new classmates, learn about your College and interact with the orientation staff.

NSO is mandatory for every new student. Refer to the New Student Checklist and Resources sections for information about how to prepare for your transition to UD.

Your NSO experience includes:

  • A live orientation program, which you can participate in on campus or virtually; your choice!
  • A self-paced online orientation course through Canvas, UD’s Learning Management System
  • A virtual academic advising appointment within your chosen college, and a live virtual academic information session
  • A variety of live Zoom information sessions about important topics, including housing, dining, Student Financial Services and more offered throughout January.

Questions?

Special Programs

Associate in Arts

Students admitted to the Associates in Arts program should visit the Associate in Arts website for additional information about orientation. Associate in Arts students are oriented on their home campuses in August.

International Students

International Student Orientation (ISO) is mandatory for all international students who are new to the University of Delaware. Students will receive additional information about ISO from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) within the Center for Global Programs and Services.

Transfer Students

Even though you may have attended orientation at your previous institution, you must attend orientation at UD to learn about our campus’s resources, meet with an academic advisor in your College, and interact with other incoming transfer students. Learn more about TSO.

World Scholars

World Scholars attend a pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Institute for Global Studies in the summer and then participate in NSO before the beginning of spring semester on main campus. World Scholars can find more information about the program on the World Scholars website.

5 Orientation Leaders pose with a tree on UD campus

Advocacy and Support

Throughout your time at UD, you can always contact the Dean of Students whenever you have a question, a concern, or a problem to solve and you don’t know where to begin. ODS can also be reached in 101 Hullihen Hall, or via phone at 302-831-8939.

Welcome Days logo

UD’s opening week celebration offers opportunities for students to connect with their new community, explore all that UD has to offer, and consider how they will contribute during their time here.

Students from the student group, HOLA, at the Involvement Fair

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign up for NSO sessions and events?

You can sign up for NSO sessions and events on the NSO portal within your My Blue Hen Home. The NSO portal will open in December, 2023.

Is there a fee for orientation?

Every new student is billed a $230 non-refundable NSO fee on their first tuition bill, regardless of program attendance. The non-refundable event fee for each family member attending an in-person NSO program is $35, payable by credit card through the NSO registration form. Students can register up to two adult family members or guests.

Do family members need to attend a live NSO program?

While we encourage families to attend the live NSO program, it is completely optional. As part of the NSO program, families will attend overview sessions about academics, health and wellbeing, student life and university resources. Please note that families will attend sessions separately from their students for the majority of the orientation program.

Families will also have access to orientation content through the Blue Hen Family Hub, and they can choose to attend various virtual topical information sessions about housing, dining, student financial services, and more. Families of students starting at UD in spring 2024 will receive an invitation to join the Blue Hen Family Hub in mid-January.

When can I start the online orientation course in Canvas?

The online orientation course in Canvas will be available in December for students beginning in Spring 2024. New students will receive a course invitation at their UD email address in early December or can log in on Canvas.

How do I schedule an appointment with an academic advisor?

Students will receive more information on how to schedule a virtual advising appointment through their UD email in December 2023.

When will the live NSO programs be offered? Is registration open?

The live NSO programs for spring 2024 will offered virtually on January 26, 2024 or in-person on February 1, 2024. World Scholars will be invited to attend in-person on February 1.

Visit your NSO portal when it opens in December on your My Blue Hen Home for more details.  

 

Registration for live NSO programs will open in the NSO portal in December 2023.

How do I access the online orientation course in Canvas?

New students will access the online orientation course by logging into Canvas at https://sites.udel.edu/canvas/ with their UD credentials. Students should complete all sections, or modules, to make the most of their NSO experience.

Students entering in fall 2023 will have access to the course in mid-June.

Do I have to complete the online orientation course if I attend a live NSO program?

Yes, all new students should complete the online orientation course in Canvas as part of their NSO experience.

When do UD Welcome Days begin?

Spring UD Welcome Days, students’ extended orientation to UD, begins on Monday, February 5, and runs through Friday, February 9. Schedule details will be available in January through the UD Connect app.

Where can I find the schedule for UD Welcome Days events?

The schedule of spring UD Welcome Days can be found on the UD Connect app in January.

If I'm living on campus, when do I move into my residence hall?

For more information please visit the Residence Life and Housing website.

How do I sign up for the Spring Into Success conference?

The Spring Into Success conference provides an opportunity for new first year and transfer students to begin exploring their personal, academic, and leadership goals and resources to transition into a great Spring semester and succeed on campus.

Visit the conference website for more information and to register.

New Student Resources

We’ve compiled these lists to help you get all your questions answered before you arrive.

#LifeAtUD

To be at UD is to be immersed in opportunities for growth. The Division of Student Life offers campuswide programs, groups and opportunities that are designed to help you thrive personally, educationally and professionally. Student Life includes:

  • Office of the Dean of Students
  • Center for Counseling & Student Development
  • Community Standards & Conflict Resolution
  • Fraternity and Sorority Leadership & Learning
  • Orientation & Transition Programs
  • Residence Life & Housing
  • Student Diversity & Inclusion
  • Student Health Services
  • Student Services for Athletes
  • Student Wellness & Health Promotion
  • UD Career Center
  • University Student Centers