Pre-Orientation Programs


As our newest community members, you’re invited to connect with peers and upperclass students through one of our immersive Pre-Orientation Programs for first-year Atlanta campus students.

Pre-Orientation is an optional opportunity open to incoming first-year students (except the International Student Welcome, which is required for F1 students). Programs are designed around a specific focus and serve to connect students with various aspects of the Emory community.

We encourage incoming first-year students to review the different programs, their focus, and registration information below to see if they are interested in signing up for a Pre-Orientation Program. Keep in mind that students may only participate in one Pre-Orientation Program, as the schedules directly overlap. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

List of Pre-Orientation Programs

Ignite

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Summer Outdoor Adventure Retreat (SOAR)

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Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration (WISE)

Get Details

Pre-Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

All Pre-Orientation participants will move into their assigned residence hall on Monday, August 19. SOAR participants will leave campus on Tuesday, Aug. 20 in the morning and return Friday, Aug. 23 in the afternoon. All other participants will remain on campus and stay in their assigned residence hall for the duration of the program.

Like the Orientation Move-in experience on Saturday, August 24, we will offer programming for parents and families on Monday, August 19. Parents and families are encouraged to attend Pre-Orientation Move-in activities on Monday, August 19, but if it works better for traveling or scheduling purposes to attend the Move-in experience on Saturday, August 24, that works, too! There is no need to attend both Move-in days.

For traveling ease, some students bring what they need on Monday, August 19 for the week of Pre-Orientation and have their family bring the rest of their belongings on Saturday, August 24. For others, it may be easier to move everything all at once on Monday, August 19.

We encourage you to do what is best for your student and family.

Although the details are still being finalized and individual Pre-Orientation Programs may communicate their own specific plans for the day, the primary focus of Monday, August 19 will be Move-in.

A tentative Move-in schedule for Ignite, SOAR, and WISE participants can be found below:

8:00am – 11:00am
Move-In (Select time in MyHousing Portal)
9:00am – 3:00pm
Pre-Orientation Check-In
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Optional Lunch
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Optional Campus Tours & Student Resource Fair
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Family & Student Farewell Break
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Pre-O Welcome & Kick-Off Celebration
5:00pm – 5:30pm
Program-Specific Welcome (Student only)
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Parent & Family Reception (Parents/Family only)
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Dinner & Break (Students only)
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Evening Social (Students only)