Orientation

Fall 2023 International Student Orientation (ISO) - Monday, August 28 to Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Welcome, our new Scarlet Knights to Rutgers!

Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services conducts a comprehensive orientation for all new international first-year and transfer students students every fall and spring semester. This mandatory orientation welcomes, prepares, and engages new students and their families in their transition to Rutgers University - New Brunswick. At orientation, students become familiar with their new surroundings and are told about available opportunities and resources on and off campus. New students also meet other new and returning students, learning from their experiences and making new friends. For Fall 2023, the ISO program will be an in-person experience along with virtual components and pre-arrival programs over the summer.

We're looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming Orientation program! Our primary goal is to ensure that every student walks away from their orientation program with the resources, tools, and answers to make sure their first semester is a successful one.

How to Register for Orientation 

Undergraduate Students: 

Orientation Registration is now open!  Visit your myRutgers Dashboard - under Required for Enrollment - Sign-up for Orientation.  Students will need to upload a photo for your Rutgers ID and have it approved and submit documentation for COVID-19 primary series.

Students attending Student Orientation must be fully compliant with the COVID-19 Vaccine requirement to register and attend orientation.  A student is fully compliant when they have received the primary vaccination series or approved medical or religious exemption waiver.  Rutgers students must upload their vaccination documentation on the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal for verification. A NetID and password are required. Please see the Rutgers COVID-10 Vaccine Information site for more information regarding the requirement.

Graduate Students: You are automatically registered for the program.

What Can You Expect

The fall International Student Orientation (ISO) is a two and a half day program for graduate and undergraduate international first year and transfer students. Through presentations and interactive activities, students will learn more about the Rutgers campus, connect with Rutgers departments, resources, and staff, and get guidance from current Rutgers students. ISO is also an opportunity for students to make friends as they begin their Rutgers journey.

Undergraduate students must also complete an asynchronous online orientation where they will hear from current Rutgers students,  learn more about the Rutgers campus, resources available, and ways to connect with the campus community. Online orientation will be available via your myRutgers dashboard starting June 1.

Complete the New Student Online Modules

Graduate students may be invited to department and school specific orientation programs that are separate from the ISO. Please make sure you attend those programs as well. 

We want to ensure that everyone is able to fully participate in our Orientation experience.  If there are questions and/or concerns about the method(s) of delivering content, please do not hesitate to contact our office at isss-students@global.rutgers.edu.

If you are in the U.S. or are traveling to the U.S. for Fall 2023 please make sure you follow all the steps outlined in our Pre and Post Arrival Steps to activate your SEVIS status in a timely manner, as well as other new student tasks like how to get your RUID card. 

Want to learn more about campus resources? Visit our Useful Campus Resources page. 

International Parent and Family Orientation (for parents of undergraduate students only)

Parent and Family members are invited to attend orientation while their student attends International Student Orientation.

Tickets for Parent & Family Orientation must be purchased in advance. Registration for Parent & Family Orientation is available beginning May 1.  Email ruparents@echo.rutgers.edu with any questions.

All Parent and Family Members are also encouraged to join the R Family Hub, our parent communications platform. Sign-up and select what type of information you want to receive and how often you want to hear from us.

Review our Pre and Post Arrival Steps for more information on how to prepare for your arrival and important tasks you should complete to prepare you for your first semester.