First Year
Sarasota-Manatee Campus
WELCOME
Welcome to orientation at USF鈥檚 Sarasota-Manatee campus! Orientation is a vital way for first-year students to feel confident and connected before starting their college journey. During this interactive experience, you鈥檒l engage in educational sessions designed to help you transition into the USF community. You鈥檒l also complete campus business, including picking up your ID card, clearing holds, getting a tour of the university and more. Plus, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to connect with new incoming students and build connections prior to the start of your first semester.
RESERVE AN ORIENTATION DATE
Connect with fellow students, explore campus, and gain the knowledge and resources you need to start to your academic journey.
Summer/Fall Start
Orientation reservations will open in early 2025 for students starting in Summer or Fall 2025.
Spring Start
Orientation Reservations are Open!
Already reserved your seat?
Hear from our Orientation leaders about what to expect:
Learn more:
ORIENTATION DATES
Summer/Fall Start
We will post Orientation dates for students starting in the summer/fall once reservations open in early 2025.
Spring Start
Spring Orientation for all first-year students will take place on December 16, 2024.
- Please note: All first-year Orientation sessions are in-person.
FEES
There is a required $35 Orientation fee per student that helps cover the costs of providing the full Orientation experience to students, including facility rentals, meals, staffing and necessary services and expenses to ensure a successful start.
There are additional fees for families and guests to attend orientation with their student.
First-Year Orientation Session Fees
Attendee | Fee |
---|---|
First-Year Student | $35 |
Parent, Family or Guest | $50 |
Children (6-12) | $35 |
If you鈥檙e experiencing financial difficulties, please contact us at sar-orientation@usf.edu.
Please note: Fees represent a per-person rate.
Please note: Overnight accommodations are not available for the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Orientation experience.
ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
Summer/Fall Start
Orientation schedules will be sent to the student's USF email prior to the session.
Spring Start
Orientation schedules will be sent to the student's USF email prior to the session.
FAQS
Please review this section to find answers to our most commonly asked questions.
General Questions
Why is there an Orientation Fee?
New undergraduate students are required to pay a $35 fee to attend Orientation upon making a reservation. Additional charges may apply for families and guests who choose to attend Orientation. The fee goes toward covering the costs of providing the full Orientation experience to students, including facility rentals, meals, staffing and necessary services and expenses to ensure a successful start. If you鈥檙e experiencing financial difficulties, please contact us at sar-orientation@usf.edu.
What if I am unable to attend any of the Orientation sessions?
Orientation is mandatory for all new students at the 91社区. We strongly encourage anyone who has concerns about being able to attend an Orientation session to call us immediately at 941-359-4342. Additionally, you might consider updating your term of entry to a later term to allow you to attend a later orientation. To do this, you would need to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 813-974-3350.
How do I request ADA accommodations to attend Orientation?
Orientation strives to provide the same experience to all participants.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we provide special accommodations to students and guests who require this to participate in the session. Requests are often submitted for assistance with mobility, vision or hearing issues.
If you need any type of accommodation during your session, please email sar-orientation@usf.edu so we can ensure that all your needs are met. Requests should be submitted at least 14 business days prior to your session. In cases of emergency situations, we will do our best to meet your needs.
Can families and guests attend Orientation?
Family and guests are invited to attend in-person orientations at the family and guest rate. To best support families and guests of students, we provide valuable resources at Orientation and will be open and available to answer any questions that you may have. As a family or guest, even if you decide not to join us for Orientation, we encourage you to review our USF guide. It includes helpful information to connect you to relevant campus and university resources. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office by emailing us or by calling 941-359-4342.
Please note: Overnight accommodations are not available for the USF Orientation experience.
What should I bring to Orientation?
- A pen (for notetaking)
- A sweater or jacket (the A/C can get cold)
- An umbrella (91社区 weather can be unpredictable!)
- A snack (some refreshments will be provided)
First-Year Students
Can I stay in a residence hall the night before my Orientation?
The Office of Orientation does not provide overnight accommodations.
Payments
Can I pay for Orientation with check or money order?
While we prefer that you pay for your Orientation with a credit card or e-Check, we can accept checks or money orders. Student reservations are not confirmed until payment is received, so please note that this method will delay your confirmation.
To pay with a check or money order, please log into your and complete the reservation process up to the point of submitting payment. Then, complete the and mail it to the address listed on the form. You should also then email sar-orientation@usf.edu to let us know that you submitted payment. We will need to manually confirm your reservation.
Can I charge my Orientation fee to my student account?
Students choosing this option of payment are fully responsible for the Orientation fees. Financial aid may or may not cover these charges. The student agrees to pay Orientation fees within other University tuition and fee deadlines. Please email sar-orientation@usf.edu to request the Orientation fee be charged to your student account.
At this time guest fees will not be charged to a student鈥檚 account. Guests may register and pay for Orientation at any time including check-in (if space is available).
Is it possible to obtain a refund for an Orientation session?
Refunds are available only in specific situations. Please email sar-orientation@usf.edu to make a refund request. For more information, contact our office.
Preparing for Orientation Day
How do I print my Orientation parking permit?
If a parking permit is required for your session, you will receive instructions in the orientation session reminder email prior to your session date.
Do I have to bring my unofficial transcripts with me to Orientation?
Knowing the specific classes you have taken and/or being able to provide an expected AP/IB score will assist in choosing the right classes. To support this, we encourage you to bring your unofficial transcripts with you to Orientation to assist you with your course registration. However, this is not required. An unofficial transcript can be a document from your high school/college or something you print from your school鈥檚 online site.
Bringing unofficial transcripts is especially important for students starting in the summer when final transcripts are not yet available. Your academic advisor will work with you if your final transcripts or scores later indicate a change that impacts your prerequisites.
Reservation Information
How do I change information on my Orientation reservation or choose another date?
You can make changes to your reservation details and/or add guests by logging into your . Refunds are not issued for students or guests who do not show up to their scheduled sessions. Further, reservations changed within three business days of a session or due to "no show" status may be subject to a $25 late/no show fee.
Can I change my major before I attend Orientation?
To change your major, you must submit an Application Update Form in your Applicant Portal.
Please note: Many academic programs at USF are limited-access majors that require very specific courses and credits in order to
be admitted to these majors. We strongly recommend that you speak with an admissions recruiter prior to submitting the Application Update Form.
I am admitted to USF but will not be attending this semester. Who do I contact?
You should notify both the Office of Orientation at 941-359-4342 or sar-orientation@usf.edu and the Office of Admissions by submitting an Application Update Form. Application Update Forms can take up to two weeks to process.
I don't see any available dates. What do I do?
While this rarely occurs, it could be due to several reasons. To troubleshoot this issue, please contact our office at sar-orientation@usf.edu or 941-359-4342. We will work with you to resolve the issue.
How can a family member/guest be added to an Orientation session?
Students may add a family member/guest to attend the Family/Guest Orientation session by logging back into their Orientation reservation prior to their desired session date. Log into the student reservation with your NetID and password, scroll to the section that states 鈥淎dd a Guest鈥 and pay the additional $50 fee per guest. Once reservations are closed, a family member/guest may contact the Office of Orientation via email or phone to be added to the session date.