First-year orientation at TWU: How students and parents can prepare

What do I need to do beforehand?

TWU asks that you have a few things finished before you arrive at your orientation. These are basic things that every student needs to have set up for their first year:

• Set up your TWU Pioneer Portal account
• Set up your TWU Gmail account
• Register for your orientation
• Apply for financial aid
• Apply for housing
• Get vaccinated
• Check your TSI requirements
• Submit your final transcripts

How much does it cost?

There is a $200 fee for TWU's first-year orientation which covers room, board, parking, orientation giveaways and materials, as well as other first-year events such as Pioneer Camp and Maroon Madness. This fee will be included in your first fall semester bill, so you don't need to worry about paying for it before orientation.

When should I arrive?

TWU hosts six orientations on campus this summer:

• June 8-9
• June 16-17
• June 26-27
• July 10-11
• July 28-29
• Aug. 3-4

Orientation begins at 7:30 a.m. on the first day and ends around 3 p.m. the next day.

TWU recommends wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking around campus.

Students will receive a parking pass by email, which they can use to park in the Parliament Village lot. Students will stay overnight in Parliament Village with an assigned roommate for the single-night stay.

Students requiring extra accommodation for disabilities should contact the TWU disability office to make requests and ask questions.

What do I bring?

TWU suggests that you bring the following things to your orientation:

• Test scores: ACT, SAT, TAKS, Accuplacer and TSIA2
• High school transcripts in official, original, sealed envelopes (if not already submitted)
• Any previous college transcripts (if not already submitted)
• Vaccination records (if not already submitted)
• A pair of pajamas and a comfortable change of clothes for day two
• Overnight toiletries

You do not need to bring pillows, sheets or blankets; these will be provided to you. Meals in the TWU dining halls will be provided to you as well.

What will we do?

Students will receive an official schedule leading up to your orientation date, but TWU’s Orientation Handbook includes some of the following events:

• Academic advising
• Campus resources fair
• Student organizations fair
• Campus tours
• Course registration
• Informational sessions about TWU’s academic calendar, majors and tuition and payment
• Lunch provided on both days as well as breakfast on day two

What about parents?

TWU offers a Parent and Family Orientation which takes place concurrently with each first-year orientation.

There is a $55 fee per person which covers food, parking and various orientation materials. The fee does not cover housing and TWU does not provide this, but TWU’s website includes a page on recommended hotels near campus that families can reserve in advance.

This orientation provides opportunities for families of new students to familiarize themselves with TWU’s campus and faculty through informational sessions, meeting faculty and staff, and opportunities to interact with students.