Orientation sign-up for new Spring 2025 students is open!
New Student Orientation is your opportunity to connect with your peers and learn about the many dimensions of student life. From your major and academic department, to the programs and resource centers on campus, to social events and how students have fun in the city, you'll be prepared to take on your first semester at SF State!
First-time Freshman
| Friday | January 10, 2025 | Remote / Via Zoom | Full Day (9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.) |
Note:* First-time Freshman: Please reach out to our office via email if you are unable to attend the session above.
Transfer Students
| Thursday | January 9, 2025 | In-person / On-campus | Full Day (9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.) |
| Monday | January 13, 2025 | In-person / On-campus | Full Day (9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.) |
| Tuesday | January 14, 2025 | Remote / Via Zoom | Full Day (9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.) |
| Thursday | January 16, 2025 | Remote / Via Zoom | Full Day (9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.) |
Note:* All single day in-person orientation sessions are full day experiences. Remote sessions include screen breaks throughout the day. Single day sessions typically conclude no later than 4:30pm.
Step 1: Set up Two-Factor Authentication
As part of an ongoing commitment to secure personal data, multi-factor authentication (MFA) or also known as two-factor authentication (2FA), is required for all San Francisco State Students.
As a new student, this step is important! Unfortunately, students can be targeted in email phishing schemes and other tactics to acquire important personal, financial, or other confidential information. At San Francisco State, we take this seriously. We want to ensure that all students are protected and have systems in place to secure their student information and provide all students the confidence that only they have access to their information.
Before you sign-up for New Student Orientation, you will need to set up your 2FA with DUO on a personal device. We provided the steps below and are here to support you if you have any questions or need troubleshooting. We encourage you to read all the required steps and resources provided via the links below.
Step-by-Step Set up Guide from SF State IT Department
Step 2: Sign-up for Orientation
Now that you have set up your two-factor authentication, you're ready to sign up for New Student Orientation!
- Log in to you your Orientation Profile with the two-factor Authentication you just set up.
- Complete the initial item labeled: "Start Here." Read and acknowledge the information and proceed to the next item labeled "Add Your Supporters or Parents."
- Add your supporters and return to your profile. Select "Register for Orientation" and complete the registration questionnaire.
- At the end of the process you will be directed to pay the Orientation fee. Your reservation will be finalized after you complete payment.
- Once you've completed the sign-up process and paid the fee, select "Download E-Confirmation Packet" on your main profile page and save to your computer.
And that's it! You're all done. Now you can review the rest of the learning modules in your orientation profile, such as:
- Review and check your Student Center for holds and alerts
- Setup your SF State email address
- Review financial aid status
- Submit your photo for your student ID
- Submit your COVID-19 vaccination record or exemption request
A breakdown of Orientation fees:
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> Student Orientation Session:
Remote (Via Zoom) In-Person (1 Day) Overnight Program (freshman only) $50 $70 $130 -
> Guest/Parent Orientation Session:
Remote (Via Zoom) In-Person (1 Day) Overnight Program (freshman only) $10 $40 $60 (on-campus lodging NOT provided for guests. Includes 2 additional meals)
The Orientation fee covers the following but is not limited to:
- Session Materials
- Light breakfast, snack, coffee and meals during orientation
- Technology/software to provide an online orientation experience
- Promotional items, swag, and new student apparel
- New student programming, workshops, and events
- Extended orientation programming
- GatorFest! - the campus-wide welcome festival from August - October (free admission to all students)
The orientation fee covers the cost of the design and development of the annual orientation program (online/in-person), and future extended orientation programming and services. In order to provide a comprehensive orientation program, we employ current SF State students as Orientation Leaders/Peer Mentors (30-40 student staff on an annual basis) during the summer and fall term, who support and mentor new students during their orientation experience and offer on-going peer mentoring throughout the semester. Orientation fees sustain wages for this student staff team.
New Student & Family Programs does not offer a fee waiver for the new student orientation fee. However, students may defer their orientation fee onto their student bill. For students who receive financial aid, this provides an opportunity for the fee to be covered by financial aid once financial aid is disbursed. For students who don't receive financial aid, this prevents the need to pay the orientation fee up front; the fee will be deferred to the student bill to be paid at the normal fee payment deadline schedule.
Need help keeping track of everything? Use the New Student Check List as a guide to help you complete each task on time.
New Student Orientation Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation Session Dates
Each year New Student and Family Programs hosts Summer and Winter orientation programs to prepare new students for their first semester at SF State.
- Summer Orientation occurs throughout June, July, and August, before each Fall semester.
- Winter Orientation occurs in January before each Spring semester.
Students who will be starting in Fall, should attend Summer Orientation.
Students who will be starting in Spring, should attend Winter Orientation.
New Student Orientation is not mandatory, but it is considered a valuable way to be introduced to your academic department, resources on campus, and other students.
Yes! Guest are encouraged to attend New Student Orientation. During Orientation, parents, families, and other student supporters will participate in a separate schedule created specifically for supporters. If guests have any questions about their program, feel free to direct them to the Parent & Families tab at the top of the page. Here they can get connected with campus resources and other information to stay informed about SFSU and best practices for supporting students.
Orientation lasts from 8:00am - 5:00pm for 1-day and remote programs. Please anticipate being there for the entire duration of the session!
Important Steps Before Orientation
- Submit Official Transcripts
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Your offer of Conditional Admission is based on the information you reported in your Cal State Apply admission application. We will need to confirm that you reported accurately in your application and that you are on track to complete all admission requirements BEFORE you attend New Student Orientation. If you are unsure of the status of any required admissions documents please contact the Admissions Office at ugadmit@sfsu.edu
Submit official transcripts so that we can confirm your offer. Check your To-Do List in your Student Center to see which documents are needed. For more information about how to submit transcripts and how to view your To-Do List, visit the Submitting Transcripts page.
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- Accept Admissions Offer
- If San Francisco State is the right place for you to pursue your education this coming Spring, we encourage you to accept your admission offer as soon as possible. Accepting your offer allows you to begin steps like signing up for New Student Orientation and receiving confirmation for University Housing.
- Pay the Enrollment Confirmation Deposit
- Students entering San Francisco State must accept their admission offer online and pay a $100 non-refundable enrollment confirmation deposit (unless eligible for an automatic waiver) in their Student Center at gateway.sfsu.edu by the dates listed below.
- Students admitted after the deadline must accept their offer within two weeks of the date of their admission notice. The $100 non-refundable enrollment confirmation deposit is applied to the first semester's tuition fees when you enroll in classes.
If you're unable to attend orientation or miss your session and are unable to reschedule, the University provides support for students to register for classes.
There are two different ways you can change your Orientation session date:
- You can log back into your Orientation profile and select a new session date the same way you initially chose a date.
- If you are not seeing any other dates when you log into the system it is most likely because all sessions have reached their capacity. You can either email us (nsp@sfsu.edu) or call our office and a member of our team will assist you in switching your session date.
Students who were previously matriculated and are returning to SF State after time away do not need to attend New Student Orientation again. But rather - register for an appointment with your academic advisor to prepare for course registration.
Why Attend New Student Orientation
Orientation is for Everyone
New Student & Family Programs welcomes persons with disabilities and is happy to provide accommodations upon request. Please connect with us at least 5 business days before your scheduled orientation session to assure we can provide accommodations!
Learn About Resources for Success
At New Student Orientation you will become acquainted with all the resources available to students right here on campus that provide essential services, such as: free tutoring, weekly groceries, book lending programs, and more. We highly encourage all students to utilize these resources!
Connect With Peers & Build Your Community
At New Student Orientation, you will have the opportunity to connect with other newly admitted students to San Francisco State University. As we transition back onto campus, starting to develop and connect with your community at SFSU can support your sense of belonging at SFSU!
Meet Your Academic Advisors
At Orientation your academic advisors will help you get accustomed to SF State's course enrollment process and degree requirements. View the links below to learn more.
Learn About Leadership Opportunities
Learn about different opportunities to get involved on campus. One great way to do so is learning about the Orientation Leaders (OL's) The Orientation Leaders will be in contact with you through out the summer for support and are current students at SFSU. They know the ins and outs and importance of getting involved on campus. They are here to help support you and help you have a smooth transition.
Learn more about the Orientation Team below!
Become Part of the SF State Community
At SFSU our motto is "Experientia Docet" or experience teaches. At SFSU we want students to experience different cultures, belief, and values of not only other students but faculty and staff. At SFSU we value social justice and equity. We understand we live in an imperfect world but, with the experiences you bring and the experiences you will gain from SFSU we know you will begin to question the world around you. SFSU recognizes the importance of acceptance of our students backgrounds and that Black Lives Matter. SFSU gives students various opportunities for students to educate themselves but also question the world around them.