New Student Orientation will help you prepare for your transition to life at App State. At orientation, you’ll have an opportunity to get to know campus, learn about academic requirements, understand App State’s community expectations, and connect with other students.
Orientation is a required program for all new undergraduate students – first-year and transfer – and takes place during the summer, at the beginning of each semester, and at the beginning of each summer session.
Registration is open for summer and fall
Orientation should be completed before the first day of classes but MUST be completed no later than the end of the specified drop/add period. New students cannot confirm their class schedule without attending orientation.
Components of Orientation
1 | PREP Modules
An online pre-orientation course to prepare you for class registration.
2 | Orientation
A full-day, on-campus experience.*
* A self-paced virtual orientation is available to select student populations. Overnight orientation sessions are offered for those interested based on availability.
3 | Welcome to App
A fun variety of events and programming take place during move-in week to help you feel comfortable both in and out of the classroom.
Registering for New Student Orientation
Orientation registration for students starting Summer and Fall 2025 will open Friday, March 7th, 2025.
You can register for your orientation session once you’ve accepted your offer of admission and paid your $200 enrollment deposit.
Please visit the Session Dates page for a complete list of Orientation dates.
The registration system will only list orientation session dates with available spots for your student type.
You will log in to your MyMountaineer Portal to register for orientation using the link in your enrollment checklist.
Parent & Family Orientation
Family Engagement
The Family Engagement Team is here to keep parents and families informed, engaged and supported throughout your student's time at App State.
Parents and families are invited to attend a specialized one-day orientation that is tailored specifically for parents and families of new students. This program takes place at the same time as your student’s orientation. Registration is required. Please note, it can take up to one hour after your student registers for their information to be uploaded to the Parent and Family Orientation system.
Trailhead Experience
Discover what it means to be a Mountaineer
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership will host the Trailhead Experience July 16-20th in Boone. Trailhead is a five-day extended orientation program that prepares incoming first-year and transfer students to become community-engaged leaders during their time at Appalachian State.
Please note that students who attend the July 15-16 orientation session are welcome to sign up for Trailhead as well, but it is a separate program and sign-up process. To learn more about the Trailhead Experience and sign up, visit trailhead.appstate.edu.
Office of Disability Resources
ODR
Contact the Office of Disability Resources, if you need accommodations due to a disability for placement tests or during Orientation. Please submit your request for accommodations at least two weeks prior to your event.