Class of 2027 Orientation Details

The First-Year Student Checklist, which includes the Orientation registration process, has been launched for the Class of 2027! Please take a few moments to review the following FAQs in the event questions from incoming students and their families come your way. As always, please refer any checklist and orientation-related questions to orientation@fairfield.edu or the Office of Student Engagement's main line x4053.

Checklist Questions

• What should I do if I can’t access the checklist?

The First-Year Student Checklist is open to all incoming students who have claimed their NetID. It can take up to 48 hours after submitting your deposit for an email telling you to claim your NetID to be generated, and another 48 hours after claiming your NetID for the checklist to be accessible. If it has been more than 48 hours since claiming your NetID and you still aren’t able to access the checklist, please contact the Orientation Team at orientation@fairfield.edu for assistance.

• What should I do if I completed a task on the checklist but it is still marked as incomplete?

Some checklist items are automatically updated while some need to be manually updated, so it is important to review the “Updated Within” information for each action item. If it has been more than 10 days and an item you completed is still not checked off, please contact the Orientation Team at orientation@fairfield.edu for assistance.

Orientation Logistics

• When is orientation?

Students will choose to attend one of the four one-day orientation sessions: Wednesday, June 21, Thursday, June 22, Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

• What does the orientation schedule look like?

Check-in will take place from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., with the first session starting at 9 a.m. Folks can expect to leave campus around 4:30 p.m. Detailed schedules will be available on the Guidebook app. Instructions on downloading the app will be shared in early June.

• What if I can’t attend orientation?

If a student is unable to attend orientation, they must still complete the Orientation Registration Form on the First-Year Student Checklist by May 10. Knowing who can/cannot attend will assist the Orientation Team in the planning and implementation of the orientation sessions.

The Orientation Team will be in contact with students who can't attend orientation throughout the summer to ensure they are supported in their transition to Fairfield University.

• Do parents/guardians attend orientation?

Students are allowed to bring two guests with them to orientation. Guests will follow a separate schedule, with sessions focused on sharing resource information that will assist them in supporting their student's transition to Fairfield. Guest attendance is optional but encouraged. 

Guests are required to register ahead of time using the Guest Orientation Registration Form, which can be found on the First-Year Student and Parent/Guardian Checklists. The deadline to register is May 22.

• What should I bring to orientation?

Students

• Casual, comfortable clothes and shoes
• Rain jacket & umbrella
• Laptop or tablet for course registration
• License, passport or other state-issued photo-ID for StagCard picture to be taken
• NetID login information

Guests

• Casual, comfortable clothes and shoes
• Rain jacket & umbrella

Academic Planning

• How do I register for fall 2023 courses?

The Office of Academic Support and Retention has pre-registered all students for at least one major and/or Magis Core course. At orientation, students will meet with advisors to learn more about the academic planning process prior to registering for the remainder of their first semester courses. 

The Office of Academic Support and Retention will reach out to students who are unable to attend orientation to help them complete their fall 2023 course schedule.

• What type of laptop should students bring with them?

Our students utilize both Apple and PC based laptops for the majority of schools/majors. The exception is the School of Engineering, where we recommend our students use/purchase a PC based laptop. All students should download Microsoft Office 365, which is available at office365.fairfield.edu for no additional cost.

• Where should students send their transcripts to receive credit for AP courses, IB Courses, and College Courses completed while in high school?

Students entering Fairfield University may be eligible to receive college credits for work previously completed in several ways: through Advanced Placement exams, through high-level international baccalaureate courses, or through college courses completed while in high school. More information about the awarding of credits can be found on the New Student Checklist and in the New Student Guide. New students should make sure that official results or transcripts are sent to the Office of Academic Support and Retention (asr@fairfield.edu) as soon as possible in order to have more options in course planning.