Ready for the U
The New Student and Family Programs team is here to support all new students and their families as they join and become active members of the UMass community. Students starting at UMass Amherst will engage in several focused components of the orientation and transition experience: Guide to the U, Ready for the U, Welcome to the U, and New Student Advising and Course Registration.
Ready for the U Registration
Registration for Ready for the U will open on May 5, 2025 for students starting in Fall 2025 and their guests.
Ready for the U offers multiple sessions throughout June and July, with a variety of dates to accommodate different schedules.
About Ready for the U
Ready for the U is your opportunity to engage with the university: its community, resources, values, and expectations before the semester starts. During Ready for the U you will meet fellow new students, learn from experienced Orientation Leaders, network with university staff members, and get ready for the upcoming semester. You will also:
- Learn about living and acting responsibly in community,
- Begin navigating campus life at UMass Amherst,
- Acquire skills to cultivate academic preparedness, and
- Develop an affinity for UMass Amherst.
All new students actively participate in a Ready for the U experience, either online or on campus.
A variety of sessions are offered to meet the needs of our students. Session availability varies by school/college and admit type (first-year or transfer). Students will be able to select from the dates they are eligible to attend when they log in to the registration site.
- You will not register for classes during Ready for the U and must schedule your online New Student Advising and Course Registration appointment for a different time period. However, you will have time to Connect with Your College during Ready for the U to network with your college community. Connect with Your College is not a course registration period.
- New students participate in the entire New Student Experience free of any additional charges as the costs associated with the experience are covered by the non-refundable New Student Enrollment fee which is included on the first semester bill.
Ready for the U Modalities and Featured Activities
We strongly encourage participation in the on-campus version of the experience. However, the online version might be right for you if you are a student:
- with young children or caring for a family member,
- actively serving in the military or working 40 or more hours/week and unable to take a day off before classes start,
- traveling more than 400 miles to Amherst, or
- returning for a second bachelor’s degree.
To help you choose the best modality for you, please see our featured activity below:
| Ready for the U Featured Activity |
2 - Day |
1 - Day On-Campus |
1 - Day Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in Sign in for your Ready for the U session. |
8 a.m. | 8 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. |
| Discover UMass for Students and Guests Explore UMass by visiting departments at the resource fair and enjoy breakfast. |
Yes | Yes | No |
| Welcome We will kick off Ready for the U with introductions from Student Affairs & Campus Life, Undergraduate Education, and the New Student and Family Programs Team. Get READY to learn all about what to expect during Ready for the U! |
10 a.m. | 10 a.m. | 10 a.m. |
| Campus Tour Visit selected model residence hall rooms. |
1 offering | No | No |
| Leveling Up Your Learning Start your journey towards leveling up your learning! This session is designed to introduce students to some essential tools and strategies to thrive academically at UMass. From effective study techniques to time management skills, attendees will discover practical insights and actionable tips to prepare for the transition to college. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Living and Acting Responsibly for Students and Guests Take an active role in understanding the guidelines of our campus community to make UMass a safer place for you and others. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Be UMass Ready: Empowering Students for a Secure College Experience Join us for an interactive session presented by the Office of Emergency Management and the UMass Police Department, where you'll learn strategies and resources to ensure your safety on campus. Discover how to stay informed, protect yourself, and contribute to a secure campus community. Your safety is our priority — let's work together to create a safer and more resilient university environment. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student Networking for students Meet with your Orientation Leader, connect with your peers, and begin discussing your journey to success. Then debrief and dialogue about discovering and developing your place in the UMass community. |
3 offerings | 1 offering | 1 offering |
| Breakout Sessions for Students and Guests Select three offerings from a variety of sessions that will contribute to your pathway to success (Financial Aid, University Health Services, Undergraduate Research, Writing & Resource Center, Studying Beyond UMass, Pre-Law) |
Yes | No | No |
| Families as Partners for Guests Learn more about resources for student support. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Award Winning UMass Dining Discover the diverse culinary offerings and innovative dining experiences tailored to nourish and energize your student's college life, ensuring a flavorful journey at UMass. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connect with Your College for Students Build connections with the staff and students in your academic community at UMass. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student Experience Panel Hear from current students about the UMass student experience. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Understanding and Paying the Bill Delve into essential insights and resources from the Bursar's Office, empowering families to navigate the financial landscape of higher education with confidence and clarity, ensuring a smooth and successful transition into university life. |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exploring Your Place for Students and Guests Discover how identity, diversity, inclusion, and respect develop and impact our community and begin to determine how your role can challenge how we all experience UMass Amherst. |
Yes | No | No |
| Eat at the Dining Commons for Students and Guests Experience #1 UMass Dining! |
4 meals included | Lunch included | No |
| Family Reception for Guests An opportunity to relax, talking about what you've learned so far, and connect with other families and UMass staff. |
Yes | No | No |
| UMass at Night for Students Continue making connections with a choice of activities like open mic, glow games, and more. Plus, enjoy a late night snack! |
Yes | No | No |
| Stay in an Residence Hall for Students Students attending a two-day session will be assigned a residence hall room upon arrival. |
Yes | No | No |
| Guests are responsible for securing their own overnight accommodations. Overnight accommodations are not included in the guest registration or fee. Guests make their own reservations at Hotel UMass, or any of the many other area lodging options. |
Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Closing Hear closing advice from the Orientation Leaders and learn more about Welcome to the U. |
5:15 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |