Orientation FAQs

Orientation is a one-day program designed to help new students successfully launch their Chico State career and transition to the university. At Orientation, new students will receive guided advising support, register for semester classes, learn about their unique academic path, campus resources, and meet other new students. Attending Orientation will also provide the earliest opportunity to register for semester classes.

Students can participate in a virtual Orientation session OR an in-person Orientation session. The virtual Orientation will be FULLY online. The in-person Orientation will be COMPLETELY in-person. At either session students will receive academic advising, support with course registration, learn about campus resources engagement, and meet other students, faculty and staff. The session will offer you the earliest possible access to registration for classes and will help you get the most out of your Chico State experience!

Yes. It is expected that all incoming students will participate in Orientation at Chico State University. Academic Advising is mandatory at Chico State and Orientation provides the first opportunity for academic advising and course registration.

Students can choose to attend Orientation in-person or virtually. In-person Orientation will cost $95 and virtual costs $60. Fee reductions are available for students that meet a financial need, while available. Contact the Orientation Office at orientationprograms@csuchico.edu or call 530-898-5714 to learn more about fee reductions.  

Yes! Chico State will not be identical to your previous institution and there are important items you need to be aware of. For example, all transfer students still have at least 9 units of General Education remaining. We will assist in overlapping your remaining GE with applicable major/minor requirements. You will also begin to form relationships with faculty, staff, and career services.

Yes. At Orientation we will help you get into the correct set of classes based on your major. Every student that attends an orientation session will receive academic advising from an orientation leader, major advisor, and will receive support registering for classes. We will be with you every step of the way!

Registration for Orientation is online on our homepage.  To be able to register for Orientation you must first declare your intent to enroll at CSU, Chico.

If you changed your major after registering for an orientation session then you will need to contact our office to change your major. It could possibly lead to a different orientation date. This is for your benefit to be able to meet with the correct major advisor. Contact the Orientation office 530-898-5714 or email us at orientationprograms@csuchico.edu 

Yes, you can change your session date 3 business days before your scheduled orientation session if the new session date you want is still open.

To change your session date, you must call us at 530-898-5714 or email OrientationPrograms@csuchico.edu. Please have your student ID ready when you call or include in your email.

At Orientation we will assist you with appropriate course selection based on your major. Every student that attends an orientation session will receive time to meet with a major advisor to get help with class selection.

Students will receive additional information and location to their orientation session two days prior to their session via their student wildcat email. If you have not received any information the day prior to your session please contact us to make sure we have you registered for an orientation session.

Changing your major before classes start must be done through the Office of Admissions. Please contact their office at 530-898-6322 or email info@csuchico.edu to get additional details. If you change majors after the semester starts please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Yes! Parents and guests are encouraged to attend Orientation. We will be offering webinars throughout the summer months on various topics that will aid parents/supporters to learn about campus resources and help their students successfully transition to college.

Parents and guests are welcome to register to attend orientation. However, parents have a separate program that runs concurrently with the student program. Students and parents will be separated for part of the day. Please note that the program is not designed for younger siblings, children, or friends of students; please make other arrangements for these guests. Fees for parents and guests are the same as for students and are due at the time of your online registration.

Yes, but depending on your admission status, you may not be able to register for classes at orientation. If you have questions about your admission status, please call the Office of Admissions at 530-898-6322.

Orientation sessions are organized by major. Students should attend a session where their major is represented.

No. Space is limited so we are unable to guarantee you a spot in orientation if you do not register prior to the orientation session you want to attend. You should also be aware that not all majors are represented at all orientation sessions. You should register for your session online to ensure that we can accommodate you and that you are attending the appropriate session for your selected major.

Summer Orientation is funded via participant fees. Cost to attend covers event staffing, facilities, morning beverages, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and program materials. Fees do not include travel or accommodations, so these will need to be made on an individual basis (See Travel & Accommodations tab)

By registering for a date that corresponds with your major, you will have the opportunity to meet with a major advisor, professional academic advisor, or department representative. Please note that if you do not sign up for date when your major is represented, or if you change your major without changing to the appropriate orientation session, we cannot ensure that a major advisor will be available.

There could be a variety or reasons why you cannot register for an orientation session. Check out this additional information before you contact our office.

1) After submitting your intent to enroll you must wait 24 hours before you can register for a session.

2) If you are a part of one of these student populations you do not attend one of our orientation sessions: Distance Learning Student, Fully Online Student, International Student, and Returning Transfer Student. 

If you fall in the second category please contact the Office of Regional and Continuing at 530-898-6105 or email them at rce@csuchico.edu to learn more about your orientation session. 

Chico State believes in providing access to its diverse students, employees, and community populations. Students and/or guests who anticipate needing special accommodations should email OrientationPrograms@csuchico.edu at least 5 days in advance of their orientation date. We will do our best to accommodate to your needs.

For additional information on the services offered by Chico State’s Accessibility Resource Center(opens in new window)

First day of school for the Fall 2022 semester is August 22nd, 2022.

For questions regarding financial aid please contact 530-898-6451 or email finaid@csuchico.edu.

For questions regarding housing please contact 530-898-6325 or email housing@csuchico.edu.

Average weather for June and July in Chico is around mid-90's, but can reach up into the hundreds. You might also want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as some of the air-conditioned buildings can get chilly. Comfortable shoes are recommended. 

We recommend that you check the forecast for the day(s) you are going to be at Orientation. This will be a full day of activities and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Check the Weather(opens in new window)!

Please refer to our Directions to Campus(opens in new window) page.

Google Map of Chico(opens in new window)