Orientation FAQs
General Orientation FAQs
All new, undergraduate, degree-seeking students are required to attend orientation. Orientation is designed to help you become familiar with the campus, learn about campus resources, meet other new students, and register for your classes. This is your first step as a new Mountain Lion and we are excited to have you join us for orientation.
We hope orientation prepares you for a successful transition to UCCS and connects you with our campus community. Your orientation consists of 4 steps:
- Schedule an Orientation Appointment to begin your class registration.
- Complete the online pre-orientation
- Attend Orientation Appointment and enroll in classes.
- Attend a New Student Welcome Bash (Optional).
The Orientation Appointment is a required one hour appointment designed to help new students select and register for their first semester classes. The UCCS Open House is an optional half day event designed to help new students and families become more familiar with UCCS campus community including student resources, academic programs, and student engagement opportunities.
| Orientation Appointment | New Student Welcome Bash | |
| Required | Yes | No |
| Delivery method | On-Campus or Virtual | On-Campus |
| Main Objective | Class registration | Tour campus, meet faculty, visit with campus resources, get involved with student clubs and connect with the campus community |
| Days/Times | October 28th - January 16th | Friday, January 17th, 2025 1:00-4:00 p.m. |
| Length | 1 Hours - 1 Hour 30 minutes | Half Day |
| Registration required | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Tour Provided | No | Yes |
| Residence Hall Tours | No | Yes |
| Tips: | Register for the earliest date for the best selection of available classes | Bring comfortable walking shoes and water. |
Parent and family participation during the Orientation Appointment, New Student Welcome Bash, and Webinars are encouraged but optional. Additional parent and family virtual content includes: Orientation modules and live-streaming webinars.
No need to worry! You do not have to choose a major before you attend orientation. Please list "undecided" as your major on your orientation registration form we will help you select classes and utilize resources to determine your future major.
Please contact the Office of Admissions at (719) 255-3084 for help with your class registration.
We are happy to help! Please email or call us.
Orientation Appointment FAQs
Yes! If you choose a different major from what you originally noted on your registration form, please contact us immediately as we want to ensure you have the correct academic advisor and that you receive the appropriate academic plan during your class registration appointment.
Students will have the opportunity to choose a variety of orientation types.
Both the on-campus and virtual formats feature the same information. Students will register for their classes in both contexts. We prefer the on-campus orientation option as it is a great opportunity to meet you in person and we will do a short 20 minutes tour of key campus resources. Yet, the virtual option is sometimes more convenient for busy schedules and travel considerations. We are happy to welcome you in whichever format fits your needs.
Nope! You only need to choose one as they cover the same information.
1 Hour - 1 Hour 30 minutes
During your orientation appointment, our staff will provide you with a list of classes recommended by your academic advisor for your particular major. These class recommendations will take into account any received and processed transfer credit and IB/AP test scores.
Transcripts can be emailed to ugapp@uccs.edu or mailed to:
- UCCS, ATTN: Admissions
- 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
The Gateway Program Seminar (GPS) is a three or four credit, required course for freshmen at UCCS. It is the first course in the Compass Curriculum and introduces students to the educational aims of this general education curriculum. The delivery of this course includes best practices related to welcoming and helping freshmen make successful adjustments to the university.
Virtual Orientation Appointment FAQs
Yes! It is recommend to download the free Microsoft Teams and Zoom app to your computer prior to your class registration appointment.
We recommend using a computer and not a mobile device. The virtual appointment will utilize screen sharing to review the class registration process which is much more challenging to complete on a mobile device.
On-Campus Appointment FAQs
Please Park in Lot 220.
Yes - Upon parking in Lot 220, please take a picture of your license plate or write down the license plate number. We will ask for this information at check-in so we can properly validate your parking.
Please check-in at the Admission Front Desk in Cragmor Hall.
Yes! We ask that you please limit to two guests.