Check out the session dates below for your campus and student type and get excited to learn more about our campus and meet your peers!
All incoming students are required to complete Orientation prior to starting classes to ensure you are ready to be a successful Mountaineer. In addition to this full-day event, Welcome to App activities will take place for Boone Campus students after moving into their residence hall.
Admitted Flight Path students will complete a separate orientation experience and should reach out to admissions@onlineprograms.appstate.edu for more information.
Information for second-degree-seeking students and UNC system employees can be found on the Orientation Exemptions page.
Orientation registration will open in mid-March for students starting classes in the Summer or Fall of 2025. Visit your MyMountaineer Portal for more information.
Select Your Orientation Experience
Boone Campus New Student Orientation
Students can choose to register to attend one of our traditional 1-day sessions or extend their experience by registering for a 2-Day Overnight Orientation session!
1-Day Sessions
Our traditional 1-day sessions are full-day events and will take place on the Boone campus. More information to prepare for this event can be found on the Session Details page.
Parents and Families interested in attending orientation should register for the same session date as their student. A link to register for Parent and Family Orientation will be included in the student's confirmation email once they have registered.
Choosing a Session Date
Our 1-day Orientation session programming differs for First-year and Transfer students. Students will only be eligible to register for a session date indicated by their student type.
Athletes, Honors College, and Watauga Residential College students will only be eligible to choose from the dates indicated with their population.
| 1-Day First-Year Student Session Dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
General first-year students can register for any dates indicated by their student type (subject to availability) and do not have to be affiliated with the special populations listed. | ||||
| Monday | June 2 | |||
| Friday | June 6 | Athlete | Honors College | Watauga Residential College |
| Monday | June 9 | Athlete | Honors College | |
| Tuesday | June 10 | |||
| Thursday | June 12 | Honors College | ||
| Monday | June 16 | Athlete | Honors College | |
| Tuesday | June 17 | |||
| Thursday | June 19 | Honors College | ||
| Friday | June 20 | Athlete | Honors College | Watauga Residential College |
| Monday | June 23 | Honors College | ||
| Tuesday | June 24 | Athlete | ||
| Thursday | June 26 | Athlete | Watauga Residential College | |
| Monday | August 11* | Athlete | ||
| 1-Day Transfer Student Session Dates | ||||
| General transfer students can register for any dates indicated by their student type (subject to availability) and do not have to be affiliated with the special populations listed. | ||||
| Friday | May 30 | Athlete | ||
| Friday | June 13 | |||
| Friday | June 27 | |||
| Monday | August 11* | Athlete | ||
*The August 11th Session date is reserved for late admits and out-of-state students who can not make any other option work. Please email orientation@appstate.edu to register for this session)
2-Day Overnight Sessions
The 2-Day Overnight Orientation sessions give students an extra day before their formal orientation session to explore App State, connect with other Mountaineers, and the opportunity to stay the night on campus! More information can be found on the 2-Day Overnight Orientation page.
This program has an additional cost ($275.00 compared to the traditional 1-day orientation cost of $225.00).
Parents, family members, and other guests can register to attend the formal orientation session on day 2 of the session date that the student registers for. A link to register for Parent and Family Orientation will be included in the student's confirmation email once they have registered.
Choosing a Session Date
Both First-year students and Transfer students are eligible to register for the 2-day Overnight Orientation sessions.
Athletes, Honors College, and Watauga Residential College students will only be eligible to choose from the dates indicated with their population.
| 2-Day Session Dates for First-Years and Transfers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General first-year and transfer students can register for any dates indicated by their student type (subject to availability) and do not have to be affiliated with the special populations listed. | ||||
| Thursday-Friday | July 10-11 | Athletes | Honors College | Watauga Residential College |
| Monday-Tuesday | July 14-15 | Honors College | Watauga Residential College | |
| Thursday-Friday | July 17-18 | Watauga Residential College | ||
Hickory Campus New Student Orientation Sessions
These full-day sessions will take place on the Hickory campus. More information to prepare for the day can be found on the Session Details page.
Session Dates for First-Year and Transfer Students
| Tuesday | June 3 |
| Wednesday | August 6 |
| Tuesday | August 12 |
Fully Online Orientation Sessions
Online Self-Paced New Student Orientation
Summer & Fall 2025 Session Dates
The self-paced orientation is available to fully online students and transfer students who have previously attended a 4-year University.
- The link to the course will be sent to registered students on May 9, 2025 and must be completed by August 8, 2025.
- Summer 1 and Summer 2 students are required to complete the course before starting classes.
If you do not complete the course by the appropriate date, you must attend the on-campus orientation on August 11, 2025.
Synchronous Zoom Online Student Orientation
App State online students can also choose to register for the Synchronous Zoom Orientation session on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The Synchronous Zoom Orientation requires you to attend from home or a private location with stable internet. You will be asked to interact with other students, campus partners, and our Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) throughout the day.
The formal session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with additional optional sessions from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Short breaks will be offered throughout the morning session.
Zoom links will be sent via email to registered students prior to the scheduled session.
Additional Orientation Programs
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.
Begin your experience as a Mountaineer
Welcome to App is an extension of your new student orientation and is geared toward helping you get more comfortable on campus, make new friends, have fun and learn more about the university before classes begin. The schedule includes programs that will help you feel more comfortable and confident inside and outside the classroom. Students and community members also participate in the Common Reading program, a shared reading experience. Many of the events are just about making connections and having fun!
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.