UGA Undergraduate Admissions - Orientation - FAQs

UGA Undergraduate Admissions / Orientation / FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Orientation

First-Year Orientation FAQ

(all of these questions link to corresponding text at the bottom of the page)

When can I sign up for an Orientation session?
Will I be able to get a good schedule of classes if I come to one of the later Orientation sessions?
What will we do at First-Year Orientation?
Where and when do I report on the day of my assigned Orientation session?
What time will I be finished with Orientation?
Is there an Orientation program for parents, and what does it cost?
What do I need to bring with me to Orientation?
What should I do if my plans change and I need to switch to another Orientation session?
What if I can’t attend any of the scheduled sessions?
Will I have to take the English and math placement tests at Orientation?
Do I have to take the SAT-II subject tests?
Do I need to bring a calculator for the math test?
What does it mean if my confirmation letter indicates that I need to take the Reading Comprehension test at Orientation?
If I have a disability, may I receive accommodations for placement tests?
Do I need to bring my final high school transcript with me to Orientation?
When and where do I need to return the immunization form?
What should I do if I want to change my intended academic major?
How do I pay the Orientation fee?

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

1. When can I sign up for an Orientation session?

Spring Semester

Orientation invitations will be e-mailed in early November to all First-Year students admitted for Spring Semester. After receiving the Orientation invitation, students can go to the Orientation Registration Page to select an orientation session and register online.

Summer and Fall Semesters

Orientation invitations will be e-mailed in early May to all First-Year students who are admitted for Summer and Fall Semesters and have committed to attending UGA by paying their $200 commitment deposit by the May 1 deadline. After receiving the Orientation invitation, students can go to the Orientation Registration Page to select an orientation session and register online. Sessions are reserved on a first come, first served basis, so do not delay in responding when you receive your invitation.

2. Will I be able to get a good schedule of classes if I come to one of the later Orientation sessions?

Spring and Summer Semesters

Because current UGA will have already registered by the time of your Orientation, there is no way to predict which classes will be available at registration. The “perfect” schedule may not be available, but all students should be able to register for a full load of classes that will fulfill their core curriculum and degree requirements. New students should be prepared to be flexible and should not rule out registering for classes that begin as early as 8 a.m. or late in the afternoon. Students who are not satisfied with their schedule can change it as late as the fourth day of classes during the Drop/Add period.

Fall Semester

There is no way to predict which classes will be available at registration throughout the summer. However, the most popular classes for First-Year students—English and math in particular—tend to be carefully monitored throughout the summer to make sure there is adequate space. Those departments will open new class sections if they see the need to create more room for new students. While there may be a wider variety of class options at earlier sessions, it is actually possible that someone at a later Orientation session may get to choose from options that weren’t available earlier in the summer. The “perfect” schedule may not be available, but all students should be able to register for a full load of classes that will fulfill their core curriculum and degree requirements. New students should be prepared to be flexible and should not rule out registering for classes that begin as early as 8 a.m. or late in the afternoon. Students who are not satisfied with their schedule can change it as late as the fourth day of classes during the Drop/Add period.

3. What will we do at First-Year Orientation?

Spring and Summer Semesters

Your one day Orientation session will include a full schedule of activities designed to prepare you for a successful beginning at UGA. Students will take placement tests, purchase their UGA student ID card (a UGACard costs $15 and requires having your photo made), take a student-led tour of campus, attend an information session and meet in small groups of 20 students with a student Orientation Leader to discuss the transition to life at UGA. Students will then learn about the various academic expectations and degree requirements, meet individually with an academic adviser and register for fall semester classes.

Fall Semester

Your two day Orientation session will be packed with a full schedule of activities designed to prepare you for a successful beginning at UGA. On the first day or Orientation, students will take placement tests, purchase their UGA student ID card (a UGACard costs $15 and requires having your photo made), take a student-led tour of campus, attend information sessions and meet in small groups of 20 students with a student Orientation Leader to discuss the transition to life at UGA. On the second day of Orientation, students will learn about the various academic expectations and degree requirements, meet individually with an academic adviser and register for fall semester classes.

4. Where and when do I report on the day of my assigned Orientation session?

Spring and Summer Semesters

Check in for Summer Semester Orientation will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Tate Student Center. Please plan to arrive at the Tate Student Center between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. The check in table will be located on the third floor in front of the movie theater, where you will get your Orientation information folder and program.

Fall Semester

Check in for Fall Semester Orientation will begin at Brumby Residence Hall. On the morning of your assigned Orientation session, arrive between 8:00 and 8:20 a.m. at the Brumby Residence Hall rotunda, where you will get your Orientation information folder and program and a key to your room. You will have time to put your belongings in your room before heading back to the rotunda to begin the program. Parents and students will all begin in Brumby Residence Hall, even if parents are lodging elsewhere. After checking in, the Orientation Leaders will walk with you to the Fine Arts Theater for the beginning of the program.

5. What time will I be finished with Orientation?

Spring and Summer Semesters

Many students in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences will meet with an academic advisor on the day after the Orientation session. Be prepared to be available the next day for advising if you are a Franklin College student. Otherwise, the last official Orientation activity for all new students is registration for classes. Students are free to leave after they have completed registration, and most students are through registering by 6:00 p.m. However, do not make plans to leave prior to 6:00 p.m. If you are making airline reservations, keep in mind that it takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours (if traffic is slow) to get to the Atlanta airport from Athens.

Fall Semester

The last official Orientation activity for all new students is registration for classes on the second day of your session. Students are free to leave after they have completed registration, and most students are through registering by 6:00 p.m. However, do not make plans to leave prior to 6:00 p.m. If you are making airline reservations, keep in mind that it takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours (if traffic is slow) to get to the Atlanta airport from Athens.

6. Is there an Orientation program for parents, and what does it cost?

Spring and Summer Semesters

Parents are invited and strongly encouraged to attend Orientation with their student. Students and parents will hear from representatives from the Bursar's Office, food services, the health center, and the academic area to which the student was admitted. There will also be a brief information session for parents. No advance reservation is required for parents. Parents are encouraged to eat lunch with the students in Snelling Dining Commons. Click here for more parent information.

Fall Semester

Yes, parents are invited to attend Orientation with their student. There will be a separate program at Orientation just for parents. There is no additional fee for parents. They will pay only what it costs if they choose to spend the night in the residence hall and eat in the dining commons. Parents will also check in for Orientation at Brumby Residence Hall, even if they are spending the night elsewhere. At Brumby Residence Hall, parents will pick up their program and have the opportunity to pay for a room there and purchase a meal ticket for lunch in the dining commons on both days of Orientation. Click here for more parent information.

7. What do I need to bring with me to Orientation?

Bring comfortable clothes and shoes—you will do a lot of walking on campus at Orientation, so it’s okay to sacrifice style for comfort! You will be outside some, so be prepared for the heat and humidity of summer in Georgia. An umbrella may come in handy. You will need to have $15 to pay for your UGACard and $15 to pay for the foreign language placement test. You may want some additional spending money as well.

For their room on campus, students attending Fall Semester Orientation only need to bring an alarm clock (you are responsible for waking yourself up) and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Bed linens, a pillow and blanket, and towels will be provided in each room.

8. What should I do if my plans change and I need to switch to another Orientation session?

Orientation sessions are assigned on a first come, first served basis, and it is not always possible to assign students to their first choice. However, if you do need to change sessions, you may return to the Online Orientation Reservation System to select a new session. If you choose to change sessions, be aware that you may not be able to get back into your previous session once you make a change. The Orientation fee is non-refundable. Note: There is only one First-Year Orientation session for Spring and Summer Semesters.

9. What if I can’t attend any of the scheduled sessions?

If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled Orientation sessions, you should call the Orientation office at (706) 542-9127 for instructions.

10. Will I have to take the English and math placement tests at Orientation?

Students with prior college credit in math or English are exempt from these tests. If you have taken a college course in these subjects through joint enrollment, make sure the registrar at that college sends an official college transcript to the UGA Admissions Office prior to your Orientation session. Also, students are exempt from taking these tests if they have a score of 3 or better on any College Board Advanced Placement English or math test. Click here to see the credit offered for AP tests. (UGA must receive an official AP score report in order for credit to be earned and the placement test exempted.) Students attending Orientation prior to the receipt of AP scores should plan to take the UGA placement tests. In addition, students who have taken the SAT-II subject tests are exempt from taking the English and math placement tests at Orientation if they have the following scores:

SAT-II minimum score required for placement test exemption

Writing - 690
Math I - 670
Math I w/calculator - 700
Math II w/calculator - 750

11. Do I have to take the SAT-II subject tests?

The SAT-II subject tests are not required, but they can be used for placement purposes (see writing and math scores above).

12. Do I need to bring a calculator for the math test?

No. Calculators are not allowed for the departmental math placement test. For more information about the math placement test, click here to visit the Math Department’s Web page for new students.

13. What does it mean if my confirmation indicates that I need to take the Reading Comprehension test at Orientation?

Some students are required to take the Reading Comprehension test at Orientation. These students are identified based on their SAT Verbal score, ACT English score or high school academic GPA. The Reading test is used to determine proper placement into either Academic Enhancement Reading courses or directly into introductory level core curriculum courses. For students who have been notified of their need for the Reading test, this test will take precedence over the foreign language or chemistry tests at Orientation.

14. If I have a disability, may I receive accommodations for placement tests?

Yes. Placement test accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please contact the Disability Resource Center, (706) 542-8719, at least two weeks prior to your Orientation session for further information regarding the intake process and determination of eligibility.

15. Do I need to bring my final high school transcript with me to Orientation?

No. The UGA Admissions Office needs to receive a copy of your final high school transcript by the beginning of the first semester for which you are enrolled at UGA. It will be checked to verify that you completed your high school curriculum and graduation requirements. Your eligibility to register for classes at Orientation will not be affected by the submission of your final high school transcript. However, to make sure we receive the transcript prior to the beginning of the semester, you may want to make the transcript request of your counselor prior to graduation. Many schools will not be able to complete your request in time if you wait until mid summer to make the request.

16. When and where do I need to return the immunization form?

You should complete and return the Immunization and Medical History form two weeks prior to your Orientation session. This form requires the signature of your physician or health facility. You will not be allowed to register for classes if you have not completed this form and returned it to:

Medical Records Department
University Health Center
Athens, GA 30602-1755

If you have any questions about this requirement, call the University Health Center at (706) 542-1767.

17. What should I do if I want to change my intended academic major?

The most popular major for new students is “unspecified,” and that’s perfectly okay. The average college student changes his/her major more than four times in four years. UGA offers more than 170 academic programs to choose from, so it’s no surprise that students have difficulty deciding. You can begin exploring the variety of majors online at the Major Decisions Web page. However, if you do know your intended major, and if it is different than the major your were admitted to, you can change your major at Orientation.

18. How do I pay the Orientation fee?

The non-refundable Orientation fee is $100 for First-Year Students. Orientation fees will automatically be charged to your UGA Student Account within three business days after you register for Orientation. You will need to pay the balance of your Student Account prior to attending your Orientation session. To pay your Student Account balance online, go to the Student Accounts System page. In order to access your Student Account, you will need to create a UGA MyID.

Still have questions? Please call our Orientation office at (706)542-9127.