New Student Orientation
2026 New Student Orientation
Registration for students beginning in Summer or Fall of 2026 will open in mid-March on the Catamount Portal.
Please note the Catamount Portal is not the same as the MyWCU portal/website.
New Student Orientation sessions for undergraduate students enrolling in 2026:
- Tuesday, June 2nd (transfer)
- Thursday and Friday, June 4-5 (first-year)
- Monday and Tuesday, June 8-9 (first-year)
- Thursday and Friday, June 11-12 (first-year)
- Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16 (first-year)
- Thursday and Friday, June 18-19 (first-year)
- Monday and Tuesday, June 22-23 (first-year)
- Thursday and Friday, June 25-26 (first-year)
- Monday and Tuesday, June 29-30 (first-year)
- Thursday, July 2 (transfer)
- Thursday, August 13 (local)
- Friday, August 14 (transfer)
All incoming undergraduate students are required to complete New Student Orientation prior to beginning coursework at Western Carolina University.
New Student Orientation consists of a mandatory in-person session prior to the term of enrollment for incoming students.
For frequently asked questions please visit New Student Orientation FAQ.
Meet our staff! The 2025 Orientation Staff
Prior to Orientation each student must complete the following:
Immunizations
Submit NC required immunization records. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until all requirements are met.
- Collect your immunization history
- Determine your specific immunization requirements
- Submit your immunizations through Health Services' online patient portal
- LEARN MORE
Pay Deposit
Students will not be allowed to register for Orientation until your $300 deposit has been received.
Pay Orientation Charge
The 1-Day Orientation charge for students is $70, while each guest costs $55. The 2-Day Orientation charge for students is $155, while each guest costs $90 (for guests staying off-campus) or $120 (for guests staying on-campus). All orientation charges must be paid prior to attending the in-person session. All Orientation fee charges need to be paid via the student's Catamount portal (not MyWCU) that they used to register for their preferred session.
*Last Updated: 3/3/25
New Student Orientation Mission Statement |
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New Student Orientation is committed to acclimating new WCU students and their families to the institution, college transitions, and life within the community by showcasing samples of student involvement on and off-campus, as well as state-wide and nationally through research, academic, and cultural experiences. Students are instructed to consider their entire experience at Western Carolina University, including student clubs/organizations, service learning, internships, etc., as a learning opportunity that will shape their future. |
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