The New Student Orientation & Transitions 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 & transition experience: Guide to the U, Ready for the U, Welcome to the U, and New Student Advising & Course Registration.
About Ready for the U | Ready for the U Modalities & Activities | Ready for the U Registration
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 & Transition 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 availablilty 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 into the registration site.
- Unlike past years, you will not register for classes during Ready for the U and must schedule your online New Student Advising & 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.
- with young children / caring for a family member,
- actively serving in the military / 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 consult our featured activity chart:
| Ready for the U Featured Activity | 1 - Day On-Campus | 1 - Day Online |
|
Check-in Sign in for your Ready for the U session. |
8:30 a.m. | 10 a.m. |
|
Welcome Kick off Ready for the U with introductions from the Orientation and Transitions Leaders. Get Ready to learn all about what to expect during your session. |
Yes | Yes |
|
More than a Minute: Student Networking for Students Meet with your Orientation and Transitions Leader, connect with your peers, and begin discussing your journey to success. Then debrief and dialouge about discovering and developing your place in the UMass community. |
2 meetings | 2 meetings |
|
Supporting Your Student's Success for Guests Family members and supporters are critical partners in student success. Learn aobut the ways in which you can support your student's holistic success at UMass Amherst. |
Yes | Yes |
|
Living & Acting Responsibly for Students and Guests Take an active role in understanding what it means to live and act responsibly as a UMass student. |
Yes | Yes |
|
Connect with Your College for Students Build connections with the staff and students in your academic community at UMass. |
Yes | Yes |
|
Families as Partners for Guests Learn more about how UMass partners with supporters and connects them with resources to contrbute to their student success. |
Yes | Yes |
|
Exploring Your Place for Students and Guests |
Yes | Yes |
|
One Last Stop Before You Go An opportunity to send a special, message to your student and ask any final questions before departing campus. |
Yes | No |
|
UMass at Night for Students |
Yes 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. |
No |
|
Closing Hear closing advice from the Orientation and Transition Leaders and learn more about Welcome to the U. |
No |
Yes Ends at 5:00 p.m. |
|
Eat at the Dining Commons for Students and Guests Experience #1 UMass Dining! |
Yes | 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 | N/A |
Ready for the U Registration
- Ready for the U will open in December for students starting in Spring 2024 and their guests.
- Ready for the U will open in May for students starting in Fall 2024 and their guests.
