Orientation

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 and congratulate you on choosing to pursue your science education at Oregon State. More than 50 science faculty, staff and students will welcome incoming and transfer students to campus and work hard throughout START, OSU’s orientation program, to make sure it's a memorable week and a warm introduction to Oregon State Science.

While we will miss meeting you in person this summer, we are providing an interactive and informative virtual START experience that will:

• Give you an overview of College of Science majors
• Introduce you to people who can help along the way, including your major advisors (the people who know pretty much everything about your major and career paths)
• Orient you to cool tech we use to interact with each other and get things done
• Provide you with tons of resources – basically the Spark notes for how to succeed in college
• And last but not least, give you instructions for how to register for fall term

Your journey will be narrated largely by our Peer Advisors – students who also work for the College 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 it pretty special.

It all begins with START, OSU’s orientation program that is designed to make your transition as smooth as possible. All 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.

OSU’s 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, diversity, inclusion 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.

Welcome to Beaver Nation, too! We invite you to attend START, OSU’s orientation program with your son or daughter. 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. We created presentations designed specifically for students and sessions that specifically address concerns of parents and guests.

While students meet with their advisors, parents, family members and guests can learn more about a variety of campus topics, such as:

• Health, wellness and safety resources
• Academic support strategies and services
• Helpful tools for living and thriving on campus, including housing, dining, and parking
• Financial aid
• Opportunities to explore the campus

Orientation sessions for first-year students cover two packed days to help prepare them for college life.