New Student Orientation will be held from Wednesday, August 19th through Sunday, August 23rd, 2026.
Below, you will find highlights of each day's programming. The full Orientation schedule will be published in early August on this webpage, and in the Navigate app.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Move in: Students will have the morning to move into their residence hall, unpack and get settled.
- Orientation programming will begin after lunch, with students gathering in their Orientation group. Parents and family members will have special programming while students are with their Orientation group.
- Opening Convocation: Students will be welcomed to the academic community that is Gettysburg College.
- Farewell to Families: Students will have the chance to say goodbye to their friends and family members who accompanied them to campus. It is expected that parents, family members and guests depart campus at this time.
- First building and floor meetings: Students will get to meet those whom they will be living with.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- First Year Seminar class meeting: Students will meet with their classmates and professors.
- Topical advising sessions: Select departments will offer group advising sessions as a preview of what to expect over their four years within the major/department.
- Individual advising appointments: Students will meet with their faculty advisor and finalize their schedule for the fall semester.
- Explore Gettysburg: Students have the chance to meet with offices, clubs, and individuals on campus around topics of interest.
- First-Year Walk: One of the most time-honored traditions, students will retrace the steps Gettysburg students took to hear President Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg address. This program is for students only.
Friday, August 21, 2026
- GIV Day: Sponsored by the Center for Public Service, Gettysburg students can spend the morning serving the local community while learning about their new home.
- Explore Gettysburg: Students have the chance to meet with offices, clubs, and individuals on campus around topics of interest.
- Living in our Community: Students will learn how to navigate their new community through a series of educational sessions with their Orientation group.
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Living in our Community: Students will learn how to navigate their new community through a series of educational sessions with their Orientation group.
- Field Day: A battle of the residence halls to see which building will be crowned the Field Day Champion.
- Experience Gettysburg: The final session of Orientation, hear from upperclass students about how they made the most of their Gettysburg experience.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Explore Gettysburg: Students have the chance to meet with offices, clubs, and individuals on campus around topics of interest.
Monday, August 24, 2026
- First day of classes