First Year Students
As you begin your journey to becoming a Redhawk, Orientation Programs will be here alongside you each step of the way.
Welcome New Redhawks!
WINTER ORIENTATION
Orientation is a hybrid experience that includes online tasks, virtual appointments, and an in-person event on campus. The purpose of Orientation is to provide you with the tools needed for a successful transition to college life at Seattle University.
In-Person Events - Save the Date!
Our In-person Orientation is an opportunity for you and your family to join us on campus to connect with current Seattle University students, faculty, and staff, learn more about what it means to be a Redhawk, and get ready for classes to start in January!
- Winter Orientation is Friday, January 3rd from 10:00am-4:00pm. This one-day event is required for all new Winter Quarter students and consists of the following:
- Meet the Orientation Team
- Greetings and lunch with campus leaders
- Take a tour of Seattle University's campus
- Connect with fellow new Redhawks
- Meet with Academic Advisors and discuss degree program requirements
- Workshops focused on inclusion and belonging, academic support resources, and involvement opportunities
- Winter Welcome is on Monday, January 6 on the 1st Floor of the Student Center Hearth. Explore the Wellness Fair to discover on-campus student resources, take your First Day of Class Photo, and pick up some coffee and pastries!
Virtual Components
Virtual components of your Orientation include:
- New Student Checklist tasks
- Online Orientation Modules
- Academic Advising Appointment
The Orientation Portal
Your Orientation Portal is a central hub for navigating your transition to college. It is the home of your New Student Checklist and your go-to spot to sign up for virtual and in-person events. We’ll send you emails with updates and reminders to let you know when new tasks become available and when event sign-ups go live. You can access your Orientation Portal by logging into your Admissions Portal and clicking on the "Orientation Portal" button.
New Student Checklist | First-Year Students
The New Student Checklist is a list of required tasks you need to complete before starting classes. The information below is the same as you will see on your New Student Checklist in your Orientation Portal, however, you need to complete these tasks in your Orientation Portal. Please review the list below to learn more about the required tasks you need to complete before you arrive on campus.
Click the > sign next to each section under Orientation Essentials below to expand the information.
Completing your Housing Plan helps to inform us whether you plan to live on-campus or commute to campus. You can fill out your Housing Application or Housing Exemption in the Housing Portal. For more information about completing a Housing Plan and on-campus living, review your Guide to Residence Hall Living. Additionally, you can visit the Housing & Residence Life webpage, email housing@seattleu.edu, or call (206) 296-6305.
- Priority Deadline: December 2
Washington State Law requires that information on meningococcal disease must be provided to every student prior to class registration. Submitting this form will acknowledge you have read the provided information.
- Deadline: December 13
We will need your official high school transcript on file as confirmation that you have completed your high school degree. This document confirms your high school credits and helps with Academic Advising and Course Registration. You can submit your transcript by following the instructions when clicking on this High School Transcript item in your Admissions Portal.
This form helps us understand whether you might be bringing any college credits with you to Seattle University that may count toward your degree. These may include credits earned at another college or university such as through Running Start, and/or AP/IB/Cambridge exam scores. Sharing this information will help to guide your Academic Advising and Course Registration process.
- Deadline: Complete Before Attending Your Advising Appointment
All Seattle University students are provided a photo ID called a Campus Card, which gives you access to printing, your meal plan, and campus buildings including the library, gym, and residence halls. You may upload a photo online through your New Student Checklist. You will receive your Campus Card when you come to campus in January. Please contact our campus Service Desk at (206) 296-5571 or servicedesk@seattleu.edu if you have any questions or need support with uploading your photo.
- Deadline: December 13
Step 1: Visit Canvas to complete your Complete Online Orientation Modules
Step 2: Complete this checklist item by checking the box confirming completion of your Orientation Modules and submission of your electronic signature at the end of the Modules.
- Deadline: January 3
Voices for Change is an online program designed to promote a healthier and safer campus environment for everyone. Seattle University requires all incoming students to complete the program prior to attending classes. Module topics include inclusive community, sexual misconduct, bystander intervention, alcohol and other drugs, hazing, and bullying. You will receive an email from “Get Inclusive” with instructions to access your learning modules.
- Deadline: January 3
All first-year students are required to complete the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment before registering for classes. ALEKS is an online math skills assessment that covers a broad range of mathematics topics. This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a pass or fail test. ALEKS is designed to determine your current math skill levels and provide a score that your Academic Advisor can use to "place" you into the initial math course that will set you up to complete program requirements and graduate on time. For more details and instructions for completing ALEKS, please visit your New Student Checklist in your Orientation Portal.
- Deadline: Complete Before Your Academic Advising Appointment
During your Advising Appointment, you will meet with an Academic Advisor to sign up for your Winter Quarter 2025 classes. Students will be able to attend their appointment starting November 18.
This checklist item will be marked as complete once you register for 12 or more credits.
Prior to arrival on campus or attending classes, undergraduate students are required to provide proof of immunity to measles. Find more details about immunizations here and submit your information via our Online Student Health Immunization Form.
- Deadline: January 3
Disability Services (DS) partners with the University community to recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity and to embrace access as a significant component of social justice. The DS office facilitates equal access to courses, programs, and activities through campus leadership on disability access and inclusion issues.
Applying for Disability Services
Students who are requesting academic, housing, and meal plan accommodations for the first time at Seattle University are required to complete the New Student Application via myDS and meet with Disability Services before receiving services.
- If you would like to request accommodations, please visit our Getting Started page for a detailed step-by-step process and access to the New Student Application via myDS.
- If you would like to contact us with any questions about our services and accommodations, please see our contact information below to connect with us.
Contact Information
- Call 206-296-5740
- Email DS@Seattleu.edu
- Join us in the Zoom Disability Services Virtual Lobby (between 9am-3pm Mon-Fri)
- Visit us at our Disability Services Office at Loyola 100 (open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, except holidays)
Please review your contact information and update as needed.
- Deadline: ASAP