New and Transfer Student Orientation Program
New and Transfer Student Orientation Program
The goal of the Orientation Program is to connect you to key administrators, faculty, staff, and student leaders as well as to provide you with essential services, information, and resources for a successful first semester at Hampshire College and beyond. Most of your time during Orientation will be filled with interactive sessions, small group activities hosted by staff and student orientation leaders, and the occasional special guest presenters or performers.
E-Newsletters
Each new and transfer student will receive a series of e-newsletters we call “How to Hampshire." These newsletters are sent to your Hampshire email address, typically weekly, throughout the summer until the start of Orientation. Be on the lookout for these emails!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at studentsuccess@hampshire.edu.
Arrival Dates
Fall 2025 New & Transfer Student Orientation
New international students arrive on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, and the International Student Transit Program runs on Monday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 27.
Thursday, August 28 is move in and Orientation welcome. Check back for arrival times for new domestic and transfer students (exact assigned arrival instructions will be emailed directly to you by our Office of Residence Life).
Orientation is a multi-day event that includes daytime and evening activities, sessions, and events each day starting Friday, August 29, and ending at the end of the day on Tuesday, September 2. Domestic new and transfer students, along with international students, participate in new and transfer student orientation activities.
The first day of classes for the fall semester at Hampshire College is Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Move-In Guidelines
- All residents will be emailed specific move-in information before the start of the fall 2025 semester. This will include instructions and check-in locations.
- At the check-in location, students will be able to pick up their keys and get details regarding upcoming events and other important information.
- Guests are allowed to accompany students but should follow any move-in guidance provided to the student or publicized at check-in. Any questions about the move-in process should be directed to housing@hampshire.edu.
Commuter / Off-Campus Student Residents
All new commuter and off-campus students (students not living on campus) are strongly encouraged to arrive on campus for Orientation registration. After registration, students are invited to participate in the Orientation welcome and dinner, followed by optional evening social activities. The formal required Orientation activities will begin the next day. More details will be updated here and emailed to students directly before Orientation.
Orientation Schedule
A draft of the fall 2025 Orientation schedule will be available in July. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Students will be notified of schedule changes as needed.
New and Transfer Student Orientation is a multiple full-day and evening experience that encompasses move-in, orientation registration, and a welcome dinner as well as various orientation activities and important information sessions.
Orientation is a multi-day event that includes daytime and evening activities, sessions, and events each day starting Friday, August 29, and ending at the end of the day on Tuesday, September 2. Domestic new and transfer students, along with international students, participate in new and transfer student orientation activities.
Family Orientation
Please save August 28–29 for move in and Family Orientation. We will post more complete information regarding our fall 2025 Family Orientation as it becomes available here.
To ask questions about Family Orientation or to sign up to receive updates, please get in touch with the Alumni and Family Relations office at family@hampshire.edu or 413.559.6638. Be sure to include your student’s name in your message.
We are looking forward to welcoming you all this fall!