Freshmen Orientation

We know that going away to college is a big transition and the orientation program at Carnegie Mellon is designed to make that transition easier.

Orientation is a week-long program organized by current Carnegie Mellon students to introduce incoming students to each other, the campus and local community. Over 100 current students will welcome you and your family to campus and will work hard throughout Orientation to make sure it is a memorable week and a great introduction to life at Carnegie Mellon.

Exciting events during Orientation will include Playfair - a giant ice breaker (like none you've ever seen) that the entire first-year class and orientation staff participate in. Other events during the week include Kick Off to College Life which celebrates the diversity of the first year class, academic meetings where you will meet faculty from your college, theme dinners that celebrate Pittsburgh and the rich cultures on campus, Convocation which is our formal welcome to the campus community by the president and other campus administrators, Casino Night, Clippership Cruise and House Wars a fun-filled event where students from the different Residence Halls try to outdo one another in an Olympic style physical and intellectual competition.

To help incoming students adjust to their new 'home away from home' Orientation 2008 will:

Expose you to campus services, resources and community standards
Help you with transitional issues related to your academic, personal and social adjustment
Provide you with a sense of lasting community by helping you forge new friendships
Share the diversity that makes Carnegie Mellon a special place
Create a springboard for you to make your mark at Carnegie Mellon
Encourage class unity and campus involvement
Introduce you to Pittsburgh and all that it has to offer
Offer you lots of fun