New Student Orientation FAQs

Yes, parts of our orientation program will be delivered virtually over the summer with the hope of delivering an in-person session in August. You can find more information by visiting our website.

Yes, orientation is a required program at Clemson, with many academic and campus life presentations and programs, and course registration for the upcoming semester.

Yes, orientation is unique to each student who attends. Clemson is continually improving its academic and campus life programs and services for you. Orientation is an opportunity to meet other students who are experiencing the same transition. Many life-long friendships have been established during orientation.

Students will still have the opportunity to:

• Connect with university faculty and staff and other Clemson students

• Complete a class schedule in their chosen major

• Attend an academic advising session

• Acquire more knowledge about student support services, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Clemson academic experience

• Gain a better understanding of the personal and financial responsibilities of attending college

• Reduce anxiety about the transition to college life

• Understand the necessity of students taking ownership and academic responsibility in their educational process

Yes! We have a group of amazing Orientation Ambassadors that will reach out to you throughout the summer. Follow them on Instagram @Clemson_Orientation to get to know them now!

Yes, for more information please check virtual campus tours.

• During the orientation sign up process, please note any assistance or accommodations that you or your guest may need. Our Dining Services partners are prepared to assist with any special dietary needs.

• You can also email us at orientation@clemson.edu if we can assist further.

Please email us at orientation@clemson.edu

• Sign up for orientation opens on May 22. For more information please check The orientation portal.

• You will need your Clemson log-in information on hand to access the orientation portal.

• As a part of orientation sign-up, you will have the opportunity to select from one of several course registration blocks.

• Each course registration block is a specific date and time where you will be permitted to select your fall courses.

• You will only be permitted to sign-up for one (1) course registration block.

• Please note that each course registration block has a maximum capacity and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Course registration blocks are capped in order to ensure each student receives the appropriate level of attention and service by our faculty, staff, and advisors.

• You can change your course registration block by logging back into the Orientation Sign-Up Portal.

• Please note that the sessions will close 10 days in advance of the given registration block time.

• You will only be permitted to sign-up for one (1) course registration block.

No, only students who have paid their enrollment deposit will have access to the orientation portal.

All incoming first-year and transfer students must pay a nonrefundable $200 deposit online through their Admitted Student Portal.

Yes, the orientation and transition fee is $315 for First-Year and $250 for transfers.

The orientation and transition fee covers a variety of programs and services that occur over the four year Clemson student experiences. In addition to supporting the orientation program, the fee also supports academic advising, student transition programs, family programming, diversity education programs, and retention initiatives.

• Once you have signed up for orientation, you will receive a confirmation email with next steps including how to complete virtual orientation.

• Students can access virtual orientation by clicking on this link to access our online learning system called Canvas: Virtual Orientation:

  • Please have your CU credentials ready to use for logging in.

  • Please note students will not be able to access their virtual orientation program until they have signed up for orientation.

• Once logged in, click on the orientation course associated with your college major which will be found on your Canvas dashboard.

• Starting with Module 1, begin working your way through each of the eight (8) modules.

• The course is self-paced and should be completed by August 1st.

• We strongly encourage you to complete Modules 1-3 before your academic advising appointment and your selected course registration block.

You will need to complete Module 2 Pre Advising in Virtual Orientation to learn how to schedule your academic advising. Scheduling academic advising varies by college and Module 2 will provide you with the scheduling process.

• As we work to advise over 4,000 incoming students, our academic advisors have a high volume of workloads over the summer. An academic advisor will reach out to you at least 48 hours in advance of your selected course registration block date. We appreciate your patience!

• If your registration block is less than 48 hours away, please email orientation@clemson.edu for further assistance.

• On your selected registration block date, log-in to iROAR to select your fall courses.

• Academic advisors will provide you with instructions on how to access them during your orientation session in case scheduling issues or conflicts arise.

• Please be sure to review Module 3: Navigating iROAR before your orientation session date. For more information you can also refer the iRoar resource guide.

• Academic advising should occur before your orientation session date. Signing up for courses without academic advising could result in delayed progress to graduation and costly financial implications.

• Are you unsure about your declared major? If you have already identified a new major, please complete this form. If you would like to speak with an academic advisor about your major choice, plan to attend one of our live Major Consultation Zoom meetings below:

  • Tuesday, May 26, 3-4 p.m. EST
  • Wednesday, May 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EST
  • Thursday, May 28, 2-3 p.m. EST

• In order to have your request processed prior to orientation,complete the Change of Major form no later than May 29 at 12 p.m. (noon) EST . Our Admissions office will not be processing any Change of Major requests received between May 29 and July 21.

All academic advisors are prepared and trained to help students who wish to change their major after May 29 get into the appropriate classes that align with their new major.

• The Clemson Mathematics Placement Test is no longer required.

• SAT/ACT scores are taken into account and students can opt into taking the test if they want to qualify for a higher class.

• Please visit the following websites for more information:

  • CMPT

  • Languages

• The Clemson Mathematics Placement Test is no longer required.

• SAT/ACT scores are taken into account and students can opt into taking the test if they want to qualify for a higher class.

• Please visit the following websites for more information:

  • CMPT

  • Languages

No, when you sign up for orientation you have signed up for both the virtual and in-person programs.

Yes, all elements of our orientation program (virtual and in-person) are required to be completed.

We will notify new students and their families of our final in-person orientation plans once we determine it is safe and feasible to host the program. We appreciate your patience as we navigate these challenging times.

We will send out communication about registering for parent and family orientation at a later date if we are able to offer an in person orientation in August.

• As a part of the orientation sign up process, parents can provide email addresses. We will use these emails to invite parents to join the Clemson Parent and Family Portal.

• Parents and family members may also go ahead and sign-up to receive updates by creating an account in our Clemson Parent and Family Portal

• We will be using our Parent and Family Portal to share important information to parents and families of our new students. Parents and families will also receive information that mirrors information students are receiving as a part of their virtual orientation program.

Move-in dates will be announced in June. Please check the University Housing website for updates.