Orientation 2024

Small group of students at Orientation with their orientation leadersOrientation is your first step in successfully transitioning to TCU.  During orientation, you will have the chance to meet with faculty and staff from your respective college or school, new classmates, and current students. Orientation is a time for you to learn about campus resources and receive academic advising in preparation for registering for classes and the basics of academic life at TCU.

About Orientation

All new undergraduate students are required to attend an orientation session.

For first-year students, orientation is a 2-day experience beginning around 9:00am on Day 1 and concluding at 5:00pm on Day 2. Therefore students who are securing flights should book a flight AFTER 7:00pm on their Day 2 to allow for traffic and distance to local airports.

For transfer students, orientation is a 1-day experience beginning around 8:30am and concluding around 5:00pm.


Orientation is your first step in successfully transitioning to TCU.  During orientation, you will have the chance to meet with faculty and staff from your respective college or school, new classmates, and current students. Orientation is a time for you to learn about campus resources and receive academic advising in preparation for registering for classes and the basics of academic life at TCU.

Summer 2024 Dates

  • May 23-24
  • May 28-29
  • May 30-31
  • June 3-4
  • June 6-7
  • June 10-11
  • June 13-14
  • June 17-18
  • June 24-25
  • June 27-28
  • July 1-2

First-year is a two-day, overnight experience for new first-year students. All Students are required to stay overnight in the orientation residence hall.

View a comprehensive calendar of Orientation AND Frog Camp Dates! It’s possible to maximize your visit to Fort Worth by attending a Frog Camp that leads into an Orientation or an Orientation that leads into Frog Camp! For example, attend Frog Camp Challenge A that leads into Orientation Session 4.  Or attend Orientation Session 9 that leads into Frog Camp Casa Nueva C. Note, you cannot overlap Orientation or Frog Camp days due to conflicting schedules; the registration system will automatically negate options that conflict.

Transfer Orientation is designed specifically for those students who have previous college experience. Making new friends, asking questions of the  Orientation Leaders, and learning how things work at TCU will help make your transition much easier. Transfer orientation is a required one-day experience for incoming transfer students.

Summer 2024 Dates

  • May 22
  • June 21
  • August 13

Parent & Family Orientation is a special program that runs concurrently with the student orientation program. The program is optional but highly encouraged. Through this program, parents can learn about the many offices, services, and academic programs TCU offers. While you and your student will have separate itineraries, you will be together several times throughout the experience.

Summer 2024

Registration for  2024 Parent & Family Orientation will be available on March 26th. Registration for Parent & Family Orientation is part of the student orientation registration process. These sessions are in-person orientations held on- campus. Students can bring two family members/guests with them to Orientation.

International students will attend an Orientation session in August just before classes begin. This eliminates the need for international students to travel more than once to campus.

In addition to attend TCU Orientation, international students will participate in an additional orientation workshop hosted by International Student Services. More information about services for international students found here.

Step-By-Step Overview

All incoming first-year and transfer students will complete the following 3 steps once they accept their offer of admission to TCU. Click across the tabs to learn more about each step!
1. Register for Orientation - registration will open March 26th, 2024 at 5:30pm (CT) in the MyTCU portal under the Admitted Student Tile.
2. Complete Pre-Orientation Modules - launches May 2024
3. Prepare for orientation by reviewing information in the below tabs.

Before Orientation Checklist

  • Complete your Pre-Orientation Modules before attending. The goal of Pre Orientation Modules is to provide you with valuable information about University resources and services, and about your college of enrollment. You may complete these at your own pace, however, they must be completed prior to Orientation. A hold is placed on your account, preventing you from registering for courses, until the pre-orientation modules are completed. To access the Pre-Orientation Modules, log into myTCU, select the Admitted Student Task tile, then select Pre-Orientation Modules. Modules will open May 2024.
  • Submit health history and vaccination records on the TCU Student Health Portal. Students have a hold on their account and cannot register for courses until these records are received.
  • Set up your TCU email on whatever device you check most regularly! All official university communication and orientation information will be sent to this address.

First-Year Orientation Packing List:

    • Casual Attire
    • Comfortable walking shoes
    • Backpack with pen/pencil and notebook
    • Refillable water bottled & snacks (water filling stations will be available on-campus; while meals are provided you may want extra snacks or beverages for your stay)
    • Rain gear in the event of inclement weather (umbrella, raincoat, rain boots, etc.)
    • Jacket (while the Texas summer weather is hot, some of the rooms may be cold)
    • Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc.)
    • Laptop or tablet for course registration (we have some on campus if you don’t have one to bring with you)

Standard guest bedding and towels are provided for all students and guests who stay on campus. 

Transfer Student Packing List:

    • Casual Attire
    • Comfortable walking shoes
    • Backpack with pen/pencil and notebook
    • Refillable water bottled & snacks (water filling stations will be available on-campus; while meals are provided you may want extra snacks or beverages for your stay)
    • Laptop or tablet for course registration (we have some on campus if you don’t have one to bring with you)

Overnight Accommodations

All incoming first-year students attending two days orientation will stay overnight in Residence Hall.
Guests may opt into staying on campus in Residence Hall as well. Standard guest bedding and towels are provided for all students and guests who stay on campus. 

Students will consecutive Frog Camp & Orientation sessions will have the option to remain in accommodations on campus between programs. View the Comprehensive Orientation & Frog Camp Calendar to see what sessions that would allow this option.

Unfortunately, TCU cannot provide additional housing accommodations outside of these situations. If you are arriving  prior to your session or staying additional nights after your session late, please make your own accommodation reservations off campus at a local hotel.

Overnight accommodation are not available for transfer students. Transfer orientation is a one day session.

Mobility Accommodations

If you have a short-term disability (i.e. broken leg) and would have difficulty traveling long distances during Orientation, please contact New Student & Family Programs office at orientation@tcu.edu

Dietary Accommodations

You will indicate your dietary accommodation specifically for orientation on your registration form. If you have a change to your needs, please email orientation@tcu.edu 

Disability Services

If you have a disability or health condition, or suspect you have one, and would like to have a confidential discussion about accommodations during your time at TCU, please contact Student Access & Accommodations at 817-257-5358 or studentaccommodation@tcu.edu as soon as possible. Some accommodations may take time to arrange.

Whether you are driving to campus or arriving via public transit, you can find your way to Orientation using these directions. If driving, please be mindful that morning traffic may cause delays in arriving to campus.