Before You Arrive
Find out how you can be best prepared for your Spring Orientation session in January.
Welcome Freshmen and Transfer Students!
Orientation is a great time to meet many of your peers and Carolina faculty and staff, as well as learn more about the University of South Carolina and the resources available to you as a Gamecock student. This one-day session is designed to make your transition to our campus community as smooth as possible. Students starting at the University of South Carolina during the spring semester are included in this session.
What to Expect
Carolina's New Student Orientation is the first step in helping you successfully transition to the Gamecock community. We understand it may be time filled with excitement, but also nervousness. That's why our goal is to help you feel comfortable with your life as a Gamecock!
As a part of the program, you will:
- Meet USC faculty and staff and get to know some of your peers.
- Learn about living at the University of South Carolina
- Get acquainted with our campus policies and procedures
- Be equipped with a list of resources to help you succeed
- Learn about your academic program's curriculum and degree requirements
- Attend an academic advising session and register for classes
- Pick up your Carolina Card
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in a new student service project. Consider bringing an item for our Community Engagement Service Project with you to your orientation session. Our program collects and distributes nonperishable items to Gamecock Pantry and Operation Veterans Support.
Note: Attendance is mandatory for the entire orientation program; students who do not attend the entirity of the program will not be able to register for classes.
Dates and Fees
Registration for Spring Orientation will open December 1.
Spring Semester Dates
Freshman
- Thursday, January 11
Transfer
- Wednesday, January 10
- Friday, January 12
Fees
For Student: $115
For Parent or Guest: $50 each
This covers the cost of your lunch, parking and all supplies and resources for New
Student Orientation. The cost also helps cover salaries for student staff, printing,
transportation, equipment and facility rentals.
The parent and guest fee covers lunch, parking and all supplies and resources for orientation. It also helps pay salaries for student staff and printing, transportation, equipment and facility rental costs.
All fees are nonrefundable.
What You Need to Know
Cancelling or Changing Your Session
You can use our reservation system to add or remove guests, make changes to your session or have it canceled. If you choose to cancel your request, you must call the Office of New Student Orientation at 803-777-2780. Registration closes 72 hours before the start of each orientation session.