Early Bird Immersions
Read below to learn about our Early Bird Immersion opportunities.
2026 Early Bird Immersion RSVPs will go live on Monday, June 1, 2026. The deadline to RSVP for 2026 Early Bird Immersions is Monday, July 27, 2026. Please scroll down to see the this year's immersion options.
Due to overlapping dates, students may only participate in one Early Bird Immersion program, unless they sign up for Connections Leadership Program + (CLP+).
Please be advised that spots for each immersion program are limited and fill quickly. All spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions? Email us at orientation@seattleu.edu.
Early Bird Immersions are early arrival programs that offer new First Hill students the opportunity to come to campus a few days before Fall Welcome and connect with other new students who share your passions and interests. Each experience focuses on a different theme, such as outdoor adventure, community service, identity exploration, and academic success.
Participating in an early arrival program is an opportunity to make new friends with similar interests, move into your residence hall early (if living on-campus), and get settled into life at Seattle University a few days before the start of Fall Welcome.
Some programs have a fee and others have no cost. Program fees will cover the cost of meals, program supplies, and activities. Some programs with fees will have a full or half scholarship request option. You can find program fees on the Early Bird Immersion RSVP Form in your Orientation Portal.
Students can sign up for an Early Bird Immersion in their Orientation Portal starting on June 1, 2026.
Students living in on-campus residence halls will be approved to move in early for their immersion program. Your move-in date and time will depend on which immersion you sign up for. Early move-in dates and times will be noted on the sign-up form for each immersion. Detailed move-in instructions will be emailed to students' Seattle University email from Housing and Residence Life in early August. There is no additional cost for early move-in.
- Cancellations can be made at any time, however, may not include a refund. If you need to cancel your RSVP, please email orientation@seattleu.edu.
- If you must cancel your RSVP, a refund (minus transaction fee, approximately 2.3% plus $0.30 per transaction) will be provided up to two weeks (14 calendar days) before the start date of the event.
- Refunds will not be provided after two weeks (14 calendar days) before the start date of the event.
- Refunds are not provided for no-shows.
2026 Early Bird Immersions
Click each Early Bird Immersion below to learn more:
Host: Albers School of Business and Economics
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Program Description:
The Albers School of Business and Economics has a rich tradition of business leaders and innovators in the Seattle area, including the city’s delicious restaurant scene. This program offers a glimpse into the robust business community in Seattle, including visiting companies and meeting with Albers alumni at these businesses.
Host: College of Arts & Sciences
Date: Thursday, September 17
Program Description: This immersive welcome experience invites students to explore the people, places and stories that shape the neighborhoods surrounding Seattle University through the interdisciplinary lenses of the social sciences and liberal arts. Through guided walks and curated stops, participants will encounter a mix of art, food, music and history, from spaces like the Hedreen Gallery and the Chapel of St. Ignatius, to off-campus visits that highlight Seattle’s layered cultural identities. Whether reflecting on local landmarks or sampling neighborhood favorites, students will begin building a shared sense of connection and belonging as they prepare to launch their academic journey.
Host: Sundborg Center for Community Engagement (CCE) and University Ministry (UM)
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Program Description: Part-pilgrimage, part-immersion, part-retreat. Gather with fellow new Redhawks and campus leaders on an off-campus walking tour of our local neighborhoods and community partners in Seattle University’s backyard. Learn about local social justice issues, explore opportunities to make a positive impact on your new community, deepen your understanding of community engagement and reflect on a commitment to justice in the Jesuit tradition. Boxed lunches will be provided at no cost to participants.
Host: College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Date: Thursday, Septembe4 17 (half-day, morning and afternoon options)
Program Description: Join nursing staff, faculty and current students at the Clinical Performance Lab to learn more about the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Students will be able to watch a nursing simulation, learn a nursing assessment skill, and meet with current CNHS students.
Host: The MOSAIC Center
Date: Monday, September 14-Tuesday, September 15
Program Description: CLP+ is an immersive experience designed to support new students of color to develop a community on campus, learn about opportunities for engagement and resources that can support their success and develop leadership skills as they transition into college. You’ll examine personal values while exploring concepts around social justice and finding strategies to navigate these systems. CLP+ begins as a pre-fall immersion program and continues throughout the fall quarter with regular touchpoints with staff and peer mentors.
Host: Center for First-Gen Success
Dates: Wednesday, September 16-Thursday, September 17
Program Description: Your college journey starts here! First@SU is a two-day experience where first-generation students at Seattle University come together to find their people, meet faculty and peer mentors who are rooting for them, and unlock everything they need to hit the ground running. Through community building, identity affirmation, and real talk about college success, First@SU sets you up with the confidence, connections, and clarity to make your mark from day one.
Host: College of Science and Engineering
Date: Thursday, September 17
Program Description: LEAP into the school year with a community of fellow scientists and engineers! Cultivate connections with College of Science and Engineering students and faculty, investigate our campus, experience the local neighborhoods, and develop approaches for networking, succeeding academically, and exploring our disciplines and Seattle U.
Host: University Recreation (UREC) and University Ministry (UM)
Dates: Sunday, September 13-Thursday, September 17
Program Description: Find and build your SU community over five days and four nights on the shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. Spend your days hiking, biking and canoeing and your evenings engaging in fun activities. All programming is beginner-friendly and previous outdoor experience is not required. Transport, food, lodging and activities are all included in the cost of the program.
Host: Orientation Programs
Dates: Wednesday, September 16
Program Description: See Seattle beyond the surface! This immersive downtown tour takes you from the city’s underground roots to its sky-high views and vibrant public spaces. Explore iconic sights and uncover local history while connecting with fellow Redhawks. Your itinerary includes Bill Speidel's Underground Tour, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle. Ticket fees are included in the cost of the immersion program.
Host: University Recreation (UREC)
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Program Description: Join fellow new Redhawks and campus leaders from UREC on a classic Seattle one-day hike at Little Si. We will meet on campus, then drive out to a small rocky bluff that is a moderately graded 3.7-mile trail with a gain of 1,300 feet. Although relatively steep inclines bookend this hike, this primarily north-to-south route is perfect for beginners.
Host: UREC (University Recreation)
Date: Thursday, September 17
Program Description: Join fellow new Redhawks and campus leaders from UREC on a one-day hike at this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail. Get a workout and experience rock work completed by the Department of Natural Resources and Washington Trails Association volunteer crews on this hike. Your reward is a rocky overlook from which you can marvel at Mount Kent, McClellan Butte and Mount Washington, the behemoths forming the south rim of the west entrance to Snoqualmie Pass.