Orientation

If you're graduating high school this spring (spring 2023) or you are a high school graduate that has not attended college after high school, you have two options to complete your required in-person Orientation experience.

1. Attend a full First Year Orientation from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: You may bring up to two guests to your Orientation and they will attend a separate Orientation. You can register your guest(s) on the same form you use to sign up for Orientation. View the full First Year Orientation schedule at uwrf.edu/admissions/orientation-schedules.
    
2. Attend Express Orientation from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Students age 25 or older are eligible to attend an abbreviated Orientation session to register for classes. If you're participating in Express Orientation, you may not bring any guests. View the full Express Orientation schedule at uwrf.edu/admissions/orientation-schedules.

When you select a date for orientation, you will be prompted through a list of questions. The questions are in the following order: 
"Are you transferring to UW-River Falls from another college? (Answer yes if this applies to you.)
"Are you 25 years of age or older OR a transfer student with 60 or more incoming transfer credits? (Answer yes if this applies to you.)
"Will you be attending Express Orientation or the full-day Orientation? (Select Express if you meet the above qualifications and wish to attend the abbreviated Express programming.)

If you are unable to travel to campus or if traveling to campus would create a financial hardship, please email orientation@uwrf.edu to discuss your circumstances. 

First Year Student Orientation Dates: August 4

If you're transferring to UWRF from another college, you have two options to complete your required in-person Orientation experience. 

1. Attend the full Transfer Orientation from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
   
   You may bring up to two guests to your Orientation and they will attend a separate Orientation. You can register your guest(s) on the same form you use to register for Orientation. View the full Transfer Orientation schedule at uwrf.edu/admissions/orientation-schedules.
    
2. Attend Express Orientation from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
   
   Students age 25 or older or who have at least 60 incoming credits are eligible to attend an abbreviated Orientation session to register for classes. If you're participating in Express Orientation, you may not bring any guests. View the full Express Orientation schedule at uwrf.edu/admissions/orientation-schedules. 
   
   When you select a date for orientation, you will be prompted through a list of questions. The questions are in the following order: 
   "Are you transferring to UW-River Falls from another college? (Answer yes.)
   "Are you 25 years of age or older OR a transfer student with 60 or more incoming transfer credits? (Answer yes if this applies to you.)
   "Will you be attending Express Orientation or the full-day Orientation? (Select Express if you meet the above qualifications and wish to attend the abbreviated Express programming.)

If you are unable to travel to campus or if traveling to campus would create a financial hardship, please email orientation@uwrf.edu to discuss your circumstances. 

Transfer Only Dates: August 4

Students athletes should sign up for the earliest Orientation date possible based on student type (first year or transfer) to ensure the most course availability.

If you are unable to travel to campus or if traveling to campus would create a financial hardship, please email orientation@uwrf.edu to discuss your circumstances. 

Students beginning during the summer 2023 term can register for classes virtually beginning Monday, March 6 but must register for an on-campus First Year or Transfer Orientation to register for fall classes. Email orientation@uwrf.edu to virtually register for classes then select an Orientation date. 

First Year Students Only: August 4
Transfer Students Only: August 4

International students are required to attend in-person International Student Orientation August 30-September 1. Information and schedules will be provided by International Student Services (ISS) prior to your arrival day. Make sure to review #YourFalconNextSteps checklist at uwrf.edu/admissions/orientation-checklist for additional steps to prepare for your Orientation experience. 

Questions? Email iss@uwrf.edu or ISS Manager Vanessa Luther at vanessa.luther@uwrf.edu.

If you are taking courses exclusively online, you do not have to attend in-person Orientation. Instead, email orientation@uwrf.edu to receive an invitation to the online Orientation modules in Canvas. Once you receive the invitation via your UWRF email, you can complete Orientation and submit all quizzes. Once you've completed the modules, you'll be provided with instructions for scheduling a virtual advising appointment. You must complete the online Orientation in order to register for classes.

If you're a high school student and have been accepted into the Early College Credit Program (ECCP), ECCP Coordinator Katrina Riba will contact you to communicate next steps and help prepare you for registration.  ECCP students do not need to complete the online Orientation or attend in-person Orientation.

If you are a student in the following special populations, you are not required to participate in Orientation in order to register for classes.

Re-Entry Students: If you've stepped away from college and are now returning to UWRF, please contact your academic adviser directly to register for classes.

Dual Academic Credit (DACP) Students: If you're an admitted DACP student earning UWRF credit at your high school, you should begin to discuss DACP credit options with your teachers and/or guidance counselor during the spring 2023 term. You'll work directly with your high school to register for classes.

Non-Degree Seeking Students: If you're taking classes without being admitted to a degree or certificate program, you're encouraged to contact the course instructor to register.