2025 Undergraduate New Student Orientation - Dive Right In!

This choose-your-own-adventure style event will connect you with advisors and resources across campus- you can finalize your fall course schedule, learn about tools and strategies for getting organized, and receive tips for transitioning to college classes. There will also be information and guidance related to transfer credits, pre-health planning and student accessibility support resources.

Enjoy lunch with your Orientation group!

The Department Expo will allow you to ask questions directly to staff of different non-academic departments and learn more about the resources they provide for students.

During this session, students are able to ask any lingering questions they have about Brandeis and the student experience to some of the Orientation Leaders.

This session will assist you in exploring who you are and the Brandeis community you will be joining.

To kick off your Brandeis academic experience, you’ll join your OL group at one of these engaging faculty presentations. This morning you’ll meet four different faculty members, one from each of the four academic schools: Arts, Humanities and Culture; Social Sciences and Social Policy; Business and Economics; and Science, Engineering and Technology. Their life journeys will inspire - and maybe surprise you - as you begin to think about the process of learning to learn as a new member of the Brandeis community of scholars.

You will have lunch with your Orientation group followed by OL group meetings.

At the Academic Fair students will be able to meet with Undergraduate Department Representatives (UDR's) and faculty from each department to learn more about academic opportunities on campus. We encourage you to explore as many departments as possible!

In this session, you will hear from Academic Advisor Tony Tran, Transfer Credit Specialist Mike Terranova, and Roosevelt Fellow peer advisor Sam Bundy about the academic resources and support for transfer students. Learn how advising works at Brandeis, the process for declaring a major, and applying your transfer coursework towards your degree. Immediately following this session, transfer students will join the second half of the Academic Fair.

If you are interested in getting a job on-campus, you will want to attend this session where you will learn about where to look for jobs, how to apply and more!

First year students will be introduced to their Community Advisors (CA's) and the other students living on their floor. CA's will discuss what it means to be a member of the residence hall community.

A time-honored Brandeis tradition where new students gather at the Light of Reason art installation, created by Chris Burden, in front of the Rose Art Museum to commemorate the beginning of their Brandeis journey.

Join us in a variety of carnival style and beach themed activities and attractions. If you are looking for a quieter vibe, there will also be some activities in the Hassenfeld Conference Center.

Kick off your Brandeis experience with a warm welcome from the Hiatt Career Center. We’ll introduce the morning’s activities and share how career support starts from day one.

All students will meet Brandeis alumni and campus partners who are here to support your career journey. Learn more about the Brandeis Alumni Network, grab a snack, and pick up some Brandeis swag!

Choose two sessions that fit where you are in your career journey. Each one will introduce ways Hiatt can support you during your time at Brandeis.

----------- Break Out Session 1: 11:00am-11:45am ---------------

Option 1: "I think I know what I’d like to do after Brandeis"
Start with a career goal and explore how to plan your Brandeis experience to help you get there.
Location: Levin Ballroom (Usdan Student Center)

Option 2: "I think I know what I want to study"
Learn how your academic interests and potential majors connect to career paths.
Location: Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater

Option 3: "I’m not sure what I’m interested in"
Not sure where to begin? Get strategies for exploring your interests and options.
Location: Sherman Function Hall (Hassenfeld Conference Center)

Option 4: Rise Together
Continue your conversation with alumni and campus partners about your career journey.
Location: Great Lawn (Rain Location Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center)

---------- Breakout Session 2: 12:00pm-12:45pm ------------------
Option 1: "I think I know what I’d like to do after Brandeis"
Start with a career goal and explore how to plan your Brandeis experience to help you get there.
Location: Levin Ballroom (Usdan Student Center)

Option 2: "I think I know what I want to study"
Learn how your academic interests and potential majors connect to career paths.
Location: Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater

Option 3: "I’m not sure what I’m interested in"
Not sure where to begin? Get strategies for exploring your interests and options.
Location: Sherman Function Hall (Hassenfeld Conference Center)

Option 4: Rise Together
Continue your conversation with alumni and campus partners about your career journey.
Location: Great Lawn (Rain Location Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center)

Enjoy some food from our campus dining halls!

This Choose Your Own Adventure time block features a variety of special interest focused activities to meet new people with similar interests! Drop in to one or more of the below topic-based activities during this time frame.

- Performing and Creative Arts | Location: International Lounge, Usdan Student Center
- STEM | Location: Levin Ballroom (Usdan Student Center)
- Board/Card Games | Location: Alumni Lounge (Usdan Student Center)
- Childhood TV Shows | Location: Usdan Peace Room
- Jeopardy, hosted by Orientation Team | Location: Schwartz 112
- Cultural Clubs at Brandeis | Location: Intercultural Center (ICC)
- Humanities | Location: Mandel Atrium
- Book Club | Location: Level 1 of Goldfarb Library
- Video Games | Location: Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Game Room
- Transfer and Exchange Student Social | Location: Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Multipurpose Room (MPR)

Students will be led on a tour of campus by Orientation Leaders to help locate their classes and other resources at Brandeis.

Grab some dinner and take advantage of some downtime before our evening event!

Take a break from all the excitement! Eat some dinner and have some time to relax, chill, and rest. If you are too energized to take a break feel free to join the optional Speed Friending activity in Rapaporte Treasure Hall (Library) from 4:30pm-5:30pm!

Under the sea! Enjoy the film Finding Nemo with your new friends or find new friends and enjoy the nice weather and snacks on us!

New students move into their residence halls with the guidance of student leaders. Each student will be assigned an arrival time within this window. Students can view their assigned arrival window and make changes if necessary through their MyHousing portal. Make sure you arrive during this time to make the move-in process as easy as possible as you dive into your new home!

You and your family members may enjoy brunch at Sherman Dining Hall, which contains both kosher and non-kosher kitchens. Your meal plan will be active, and we will cover the cost of meals for your guests.

Our Brandeis Family Liaison and other community members will be available to answer questions and welcome you to the Brandeis community.

Student Financial Services (SFS) will be open on Saturday August 23 from 12pm-4pm. Drop by their office in Usdan if you have any questions!

Come learn about the history of Brandeis University, from 1948 to today. The University Archivist will show photographs from the archives and give a glimpse into the highlights of our past. You'll hear about how Brandeis was founded, trace the throughlines of activism and social justice in our story, and learn some trivia about our beautiful campus (including who is buried here)!

This session will run twice: 1:00pm-1:30pm and 2:00-2:30pm.

Is this your first time on-campus? Has it been awhile since your last visit? Join one of our Admissions Ambassadors for a tour of campus.

There will be a tour leaving at 1pm and at 2pm

Is this your first time on-campus? Has it been awhile since your last visit? Join one of our Admissions Ambassadors for a tour of campus.

There will be a tour leaving at 1pm and at 2pm

Come learn about the history of Brandeis University, from 1948 to today. The University Archivist will show photographs from the archives and give a glimpse into the highlights of our past. You'll hear about how Brandeis was founded, trace the throughlines of activism and social justice in our story, and learn some trivia about our beautiful campus (including who is buried here)!

This session will run twice: 1:00pm-1:30pm and 2:00-2:30pm.

Families will hear from campus administrators, including the University President, who will welcome you to the Brandeis community.

Get ready to meet with your Orientation Leaders and learn more about life here at Brandeis!

Directly following the University Welcome for Families, family members are invited to join us for light refreshments, including sweet treats and an opportunity to meet parents/family members of other incoming students. Families will also have the opportunity to personally meet representatives from many departments on campus, learn about their resources, and ask questions.

Students will hear from campus administrators, including the University President, who will welcome you to the Brandeis community.

Students will hear from campus administrators, the Student Union President and a member of our Orientation Core Team, who will welcome you to the Brandeis community.

Eat food and chat with new friends!

We encourage you to take advantage of the down time in the schedule to relax, but if you would prefer to spend the time meeting people, join us for a fun-filled session of creativity and camaraderie. The Vision Board Activity will be from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Join us for an evening of fun where you will have the opportunity to make connections and participate in a number of activities including making your own zen garden, air plant terrarium, pet rock habitat or building a stuffed animal, and more.

SATURDAY, August 23rd
Breakfast:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 9:30am - 2:30pm
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 7:30am - 11:00am
-Usdan - CLOSED
Lunch/Mid-Day:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 2:30pm-5:00pm
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 11:00am-1:00pm
-Usdan - CLOSED
Dinner:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 5:00pm - 8:00pm
-Kosher at Sherman - Boxed Dinners Available from 5:00pm-8:00pm
-Usdan -5:00pm-8:00pm

SUNDAY, August 24th
Breakfast:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 9:30am - 2:30pm
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 9:30am-2:30pm
-Usdan - CLOSED
Lunch with Orientation group
Dinner:
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 5:00pm - 9:00pm
-Farm Table at Sherman - 5:00pm-8:00pm
-Usdan - CLOSED

MONDAY August 25th
Breakfast:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 7:00am - 11:00am
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 7:00am - 11:00am
-Usdan - 8:00am - 11:00am
Lunch with Orientation group
Dinner:
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 5:00pm - 9:00pm
-Farm Table at Sherman - 5:00pm-9:00pm
-Usdan - 5:00pm-8:00pm

TUESDAY, August 26th
Breakfast:
-Farm Table at Sherman - 7:00am - 11:00am
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 7:00am - 11:00am
-Usdan - 8:00am - 11:00am
Lunch with Orientation group
Dinner:
-Kosher Table at Sherman - 5:00pm - 9:00pm
-Farm Table at Sherman - 5:00pm-9:00pm
-Usdan - 5:00pm-8:00pm