New Student Orientation

Recruited varsity athletes participating in cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball will move in early to accommodate fall training. Athletics coaches will be in touch with more information, or you may contact the coach here.

DePauw's International Student Affairs (ISA) Welcome Week will take place January 20-21, 2026, just prior to New Student Orientation. 

ISA Welcome Week is mandatory for all incoming international students. It covers a range of important topics, including immigration regulations and compliance, cultural adjustment strategies, academic expectations and resources, and community building.

More details, including a daily schedule, can be found here.

New Student Orientation is intentionally designed to introduce new transfer students to DePauw's campus, community and resources.

Transfer students will move in on Wednesday, January 21 and will follow the new student orientation schedule to meet their transfer cohort and other new students. 

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Transfer Move-In: Reese Hall
Start your DePauw experience by checking in and then heading to your new residence hall to move in and get settled on campus.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Welcome Lunch: Hoover Hall, Hamilton Dining Room
Enjoy a meal and connect with your mentor, fellow students and families. Students can swipe in with their ID, while families and guests may pick up a meal ticket at the residence hall check-in table.

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Goodbyes and Departure
Take a moment to say goodbye to your family and take some photos. Parents and families, please plan to depart campus by 1:00 p.m. so students can begin their orientation activities.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Unity in Community & Freedom of Expression: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Take part in an interactive session exploring DePauw’s values of community and freedom of expression. Mentors will help guide activities and conversations.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hazing Prevention Session: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Engage in a presentation and discussion about hazing prevention. Learn how DePauw supports a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classroom & Campus Tours: Campus Wide
Join your mentor for classroom tours and campus exploration. (Optional)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Housing & Residential Life Group Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Gather with your mentor group for dinner and more conversation with Housing and Residential Life members.

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Student Athlete Orientation: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Moore Theater
Student-athletes are required to attend this orientation. Meet athletic staff and members of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student-Athlete of Color Group to learn about expectations for the year.

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Casino Night: Memorial Student Union Building, Ballroom
End your day with a fun Casino Night. Enjoy games, prizes and a chance to meet other new students in a relaxed setting. Bingo and other activities will be available throughout the building.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Start your morning with a relaxed meal at your own pace before the day’s academic activities begin.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Group Advising: Opening Day Classrooms (locations provided by adviser/mentor)
Meet with your mentor group and faculty adviser for an overview of academic expectations and to discuss your fall schedule. This is a great chance to ask questions and connect with peers. Individual Advising Appointments will follow.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Placement Exams (Calculus, Computer Science): Calculus, Julian Science and Mathematics Center Auditorium, Computer Science, Julian Science and Mathematics Center Room 278
Take placement exams if you’re interested in calculus or computer science courses. Staff will be available to answer questions and offer guidance.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Placement Exams (Languages): Julian Science and Mathematics Center Labs 108 and 109
Complete placement exams for language courses as needed. This will help determine your starting level for language study at DePauw.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Campus Involvement: Hoover Hall, Hamilton Dining Room
Find out how you can get involved on campus, from joining student organizations to exploring Greek life and trying intramural sports.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: Hoover Hall, Hamilton Dining Room
Enjoy lunch with your mentor group.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Centers Open House: The Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), Hubbard Center for Student Engagement, Roy O West Library, Sanger Leadership Initiative, Tenzer Technology Center, Women's Center

Discover the resources and student services available to you at DePauw through a variety of engaging activities hosted around campus.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ensemble and Choir Auditions: Green Center for the Performing Arts (Instrumental – Room 1115; Choir – Room 0112)
Interested in music? Visit the Ensemble Audition Information page for information on all instrumental and choral ensembles, as well as specific audition information and sign-up sheets.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Pre-Law Advising Session: Julian Science and Mathematics Center Auditorium

Optional session for students interested in pre-law. Meet with an advisor to learn more about the pre-law pathway. If unable to attend the information session, please contact Colleen McCracken Renick (colleenmccraken@depauw.edu) to schedule a pre-law advising appointment.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pre-Health and Pre-Engineering Advising Sessions: Pre-Health in Julian Science and Mathematics Center Auditorium, Pre-Engineering in Julian Science and Mathematics Center Room 157

Optional sessions for students interested in pre-health and engineering. Meet with advisers to learn more about these pathways. If unable to attend the information sessions, please contact Colleen McCracken Renick (colleenmccracken@depauw.edu) to schedule a pre-health advising appointment and Howard Brooks (hlbrooks@depauw.edu) to schedule a pre-engineering advising appointment.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Dinner is available on your own schedule.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Back to School BBQ: Association for African American Students House
Join the AAAS for a campus BBQ. Enjoy food, music and a chance to connect with new friends and returning students.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Party in the Park: Bowman Park
Unwind with live music, games and social activities. This is a wonderful way to relax and meet other new students.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Queers and Allies Student Meet Up: Stewart Hall
Connect with LGBTQIA+ peers and allies in a welcoming, quieter space. Sponsored by LGBTQIA Services.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Begin your day with breakfast. Student organizations will be tabling so you can learn about ways to get involved.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Green Dot Bystander Training: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Take part in a session focused on prevention education and learn how you can help create a safe campus community.

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break: Green Center for the Performing Arts
Take a short break to enjoy refreshments before the next session.

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Well-Being Session: Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium
Join the Counseling Center staff for a session on maintaining your well-being during your time at DePauw.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Transfer Student Luncheon and Debrief: Hoover Hall, Hamilton Dining Room
Connect with our Vice President of Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Student Success over lunch to share first impressions and experiences, and get your questions answered as you settle into campus life.

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class of 2029 Alumni Welcome: East College Lawn
Meet with DePauw alumni and hear about their experiences while enjoying a free iced coffee, boba, or refresher. (Optional)

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ethics, Civics, and Leadership Scholars Meetings: Location Provided to Participants
Students in Prindle Ethics Scholars, Sanger Leadership Scholars, and Jordan Civics Leadership Scholars will meet for programming with their cohorts.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Classroom & Campus Tours: Campus Wide
Join your mentor for classroom tours and campus exploration. (Optional)

3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Ensemble Auditions: Green Center for the Performing Arts. Enrolled students auditioning for a vocal or instrumental musical ensemble in the Institute of Music.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: Hoover Hall, Main Dining Room
Dinner is available on your own schedule.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rural Student Initiative: Hoover Hall, Hamilton Room
Rural students are invited to connect and celebrate their community. (Optional)

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
First-Generation Student Celebration: UB Living Room
Celebrate being a first-generation student with an ice cream bar, photo props and a welcoming community. (Optional)

Classes Begin
Attend your scheduled classes. University photographers may be on campus capturing first-day moments.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
First Day of Classes Coffee: Burkhart Walk
Kick off your first day of classes with coffee and donuts. Enjoy a warm welcome and take a moment to celebrate this milestone. (Optional)

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Meet DePauw Student Government: Stewart Plaza

Learn from representatives of DePauw Student Government (DSG) about the work DSG does on campus and how you can get involved with student government. Enjoy free food on the plaza after your first day of classes. (Optional)

7:00 p.m.
Home Soccer Match: Reavis Stadium
Cheer on the Tigers at the home soccer match in the evening. Join your classmates for school spirit and fun. (Optional)