Boone Campus Orientation

In-person orientation on our beautiful Boone campus offers a full schedule of activities, connections and preparation for your Mountaineer journey. You’ll meet fellow new students, connect with faculty and staff, explore campus resources and take your first steps toward academic success — all while experiencing life in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Orientation Dates

Registration for summer and fall orientation sessions opens on Tuesday, March 3. Register early to secure your desired orientation date based on your student type.

One-day sessions for students starting Summer and Fall 2026
Two-day overnight sessions for students starting Summer and Fall 2026
One-day session for students starting Spring 2027

Already registered? View session information to help you prepare for your upcoming orientation.

One-Day Sessions for Summer and Fall 2026

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 may only choose from dates marked for their specific group.
Parents and family members: If attending, register for the same session date as your student. A registration link will be in your student’s confirmation email after they register

One-day sessions for summer and fall
Orientation Date	Student Types
Friday, May 29, 2026	Transfer Athlete
Monday, June 1, 2026	First-year
Friday, June 5, 2026	First-year Athlete Honors College Watauga Residential College (WRC)
Monday, June 8, 2026	First-year Athlete Honors College
Tuesday, June 9, 2026	First-year
Thursday, June 11, 2026	First-year Honors College
Friday, June 12, 2026	First-year Transfer Honors College
Monday, June 15, 2026	First-year Athlete Honors College
Tuesday, June 16, 2026	First-year
Thursday, June 18, 2026	First-year Honors College
Friday, June 19, 2026	First-year Athlete Watauga Residential College (WRC)
Monday, June 22, 2026	First-year Honors College Watauga Residential College (WRC)
Tuesday, June 23, 2026	First-year
Thursday, June 15, 2026	First-year Athlete Watauga Residential College (WRC)
Friday, June 26, 2026	Transfer
Monday, August 10, 2026	Reserved for Late Admit Students First-year Transfer Athlete Honors College

Two-Day Overnight Sessions for Summer and Fall 2026

Get an early start on your Mountaineer experience! These sessions give you an extra day before your formal orientation to explore campus, meet fellow students and enjoy an overnight stay in a residence hall.

Open to both First-year and Transfer students.
Athletes, Honors College, and Watauga Residential College students must select from dates designated for their group.
Parents and families: May attend the formal orientation session on Day 2. A registration link will be included in the student’s confirmation email after they register.

The two-day overnight orientation sessions are subject to limited availability and have an additional cost to cover lodging and meals. See our cost page for more details.

Two-day overnight sessions for summer and fall
Orientation Dates	Student Types
Thursday-Friday, July 9-10, 2026	First-year Transfer First Accent Honors College Watauga Residential College (WRC)
Monday-Tuesday, July 13-14, 2026	First-year Transfer First-generation Honors College
Thursday-Friday, July 16-17, 2026	First-year Transfer Watauga Residential College (WRC)

One-Day Session for Spring 2027

We hold one in-person orientation session per campus in January for students who are starting at App State for the spring semester. Both transfer students and first-year students are eligible to attend this session. Registration for spring admits will be available later in the year.

Friday, January 8, 2027 for Boone Campus students

Session Information: What to Expect

Orientation activities typically run between the times of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with time before for check-in and schedules. Two-day overnight sessions will check-in mid-day on the first day and attend orientation activities on the second day.

Tentative Event Schedules

The following schedules provide a glance at what a typical orientation session looks like. Exact schedules will be provided to attendees on the day of their orientation.

One-Day Session Overview

Orientation check-in starts at the Schaefer Center at 8:15 a.m. with our formal Welcome starting at 9:00 a.m. New Mountaineers and Families will receive a printed schedule at check-in. The day will wrap up around 4:30 p.m.

Knowing Where to Go

You’ll be assigned to a small orientation group led by a SOUL (Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader) who will guide you through the day. You’ll get a printed schedule at check-in.

Lunch is provided for registered attendees, and you’ll eat at one of our All Access Campus Dining locations.

What to Bring

Check the weather — Boone can be unpredictable.
Wear comfortable walking shoes; you’ll be moving between buildings.

Lodging

On-campus housing is only provided for students registered for an overnight orientation session (limited availability). Parents and families arrange their own lodging.

Two-Day Overnight Session Overview

Check-In and Parking for Students - Arrival Times

Honors College, Watauga Residential, and First-generation: 11 a.m.
All others: 2–4 p.m.

Park in Rivers Street Parking Deck and take the shuttle to residence halls (Cone & White). Parking passes provided at check-in.

Day 1: Welcome Activities and Overnight Stay

Check into a residence hall* and join activities like cardio dance, yard games, campus tours, schedule walk-throughs, late-night cookies, and more.
*Due to other campus programs, this will not correspond with your academic-year residence hall.
Dinner provided.
Lights out at 10:30 p.m. Students in the Overnight Session must stay in the residence hall overnight.

Day 2: New Student Orientation

Check out of the residence hall by 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast in Central Dining, then meet parents/families for check-in at Plemmons Student Union.
Orientation runs 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and covers campus resources, policies and academic planning.

What to Bring

Twin XL bedding or sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries, shower shoes
Comfortable walking shoes & clothes, rain gear, water bottle
Light packing recommended for the one-night stay

Room Assignments

Students stay in 1–2 adjacent residence halls with RAs on duty.
Two students per room, assigned by gender.
Roommate requests accepted via digital form sent before the event (not guaranteed).

Meals Provided

Dinner (Day 1)
Breakfast & lunch (Day 2) at All Access dining halls
Markets on campus accept debit/credit/Apple Pay; vending machines accept cash

Parents and Families

Encouraged to attend Parent and Family Orientation on Day 2 (register separately).
Responsible for their own lodging.
Park in Rivers Street Parking Deck.

Parking Information

Parking is available for orientation attendees in the Rivers St. Parking Deck. Your parking fee is included in your orientation cost. Students attending two-day overnight sessions will be provided shuttles to and from the residence halls.

You will receive a detailed email with parking information before your orientation session date.

For questions relating to Accessible Parking throughout campus, please refer to our interactive campus map.

Lodging Partners

Looking to stay in Boone during orientation? Check out these deals from some of our lodging partners.

Partners and promotions are subject to change and availability.

Lodging Partners
Hotel	Discount Information
Blue Ridge Tourist Court	10% & 20% discount for families attending orientation. When booking your rooms online, click the “Have a promo code?” link directly under the Book Now button and enter one of the following promo codes. 10% off 1-night stay- Promo code: APPORIENTATION10 20% off multiple-night stay- Promo code: APPORIENTATION20
Comfort Suites Boone	15% discount for families attending orientation. To claim this discount, use our Comfort Suites discount link, select your dates, and select a room under the “Appalachian State University” tab.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson	20% discount for families attending orientation. To claim this discount, use our Country Inn and Suites discount link, select your dates, and select a room under the “App State Summer Orientation” tab or call the hotel directly at 828-264-4100 and ask for the App State Summer Orientation rate.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Boone	15% discount for families attending orientation: To claim this discount, use our Fairfield Inn and Suites discount link to book your rooms.
Graystone Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection	20% discount for families attending orientation. To claim this discount, use our Graystone Lodge discount link, select your dates, and select a room under the “Appalachian State Orientation Discount” tab.
Hampton Inn & Suites Boone	12% discount for families attending orientation.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone	15% discount for families attending orientation. To claim this discount, use our La Quinta Inn and Suites discount link, select your dates, and select a room under the “Appalachian State Orientation Discount” tab.
Lovill House Inn	10% discount for App State families: Use the promo code APPSTATEFAMILY when checking out online, or you can call 828-270-0831 to book your rooms.
Quality Inn & Suites Boone - University Area	20% discount for App State families attending Orientation. To claim this discount, visit our Quality Inn and Suites booking link.
Rhode’s Motor Lodge	20% discount on weekday rates for families attending orientation: Book rooms online to claim this discount. Use the promo code MOUNTAINEER25 when checking out for 20% off.

Additional Orientation Programs

Enhance your New Mountaineer experience with our concurrent and extended orientation programs.

Parent and Family Orientation

Parents and families of new students are invited to attend a corresponding one-day orientation that is tailored specifically for them.

Trailhead Experience

Trailhead is a five-day extended orientation program that prepares incoming first-year and transfer students to become community-engaged leaders at App State.

Welcome to App

Begin your first semester with a variety of fun and informative events, meet fellow new Mountaineers, and transition into student life before the start of classes.