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Orientation

Welcome to the class of 2026!

Three OSU students walking through the quad

More than 50% of students and faculty bike, walk or skate to campus.

START here. Go anywhere.

The faculty, academic advising staff and the rest of the College of Science are eager to welcome you to our community. We want to congratulate you on choosing to pursue your science education at Oregon State. We are excited to welcome incoming and transfer students to campus and work hard throughout START, OSU’s orientation program, to make sure it's a memorable time and a warm introduction to Oregon State Science.

During START we will:

  • Give you an overview of College of Science majors
  • Introduce you to people who can help along the way, including your major advisors (who can talk through pretty much everything about your major and career paths)
  • Connect you with the vast Oregon State and College of Science resources to help you succeed in college.
  • And last but not least, walk you through how to register for your classes and request overrides as needed

College and department portions of START are largely supported by our Peer Advisors – College of Science students who work to help create an unforgettable college experience for their peers.

Have an urgent question that just can't wait? Email us at sciencesuccess@oregonstate.edu. We're always happy to talk!

Ready to begin your adventure?

Going to college is a big transition and OSU’s START orientation program is where it all begins. You’ll discover new opportunities, engage with other students and mentors, make friendships that may last a lifetime and belong to a place we think is pretty special.

All Corvallis campus students must register for START, which is hosted by the Office of New Student Programs and campus partners to introduce incoming students to each other and to our campus and academic communities. If you are a College of Science student who will be studying at a different Oregon State campus, we encourage you to check the Office of Student Orientation website to learn more about your orientation program.

OSU’s Corvallis campus is home to an exhilarating culture, longstanding traditions and an energy and vibe that can only exist in our unique corner of the Pacific Northwest. The College of Science is committed to student learning and developing a strong scientific community committed to excellence, inclusion, equity and that is above all, welcoming.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the next class of scientists. There’s so much to do, discover, learn and experience.

female student working on math on table

We are excited for you to join us and experience the incredible opportunities that await you during your first year of college. Ready to get out there?

What to expect at START

During your orientation, you can expect to:

  • Meet with academic advisors
  • Register for your courses
  • Tour your residence hall and get a sense of what to expect
  • Meet other science students and hear about their experience at OSU
  • Learn about what it means to be part of the OSU Community
  • Complete any final preparations or paperwork for the term

Are you supporting a soon-to-be Beaver?

Welcome to Beaver Nation, too! We invite you to attend START, OSU’s orientation program with your future Beaver student. You will learn about the many campus resources and opportunities available to support student success and development at Oregon State.

You and your student will attend some sessions together and some smaller, more in-depth sessions separately. While students meet with their advisors, parents, family members and guests can explore campus and the surrounding Corvallis community.

Our goal is to prepare your future Beaver student and provide you, their support network, with tools to help them thrive at Oregon State.