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Welcome to College Hill!

Orientation

Orientation is required for all new Fall admission and transfer students.

August 19-27, 2025

Arrival on campus and residence hall move-in will take place between 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. on August 19. Hamilton’s Orientation program consists of two parts: our signature Orientation Adventure Trips, and on-campus orientation programming. New January Admission students are encouraged to participate in an August Orientation Adventure Trip, and will have additional on-campus orientation programming when they arrive on campus the following January.

Orientation Trips Tentative Schedule

Additional information for International and January Admission students is outlined below.

International Student Orientation (ISO) takes place from August 16-18, 2025. Students who are participating in ISO should plan to arrive on campus by August 16, and should refer to their email for additional information about ISO.

International Student Services
International Student Orientation

Note: August 15 & 16, 2025 are the earliest dates to arrive on campus. You may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days in advance of the report date on your I-20.

New January Admission students are encouraged to participate in an August Orientation Adventure Trip, and will have additional on-campus orientation programming when they arrive on campus the following January.

  • Jans who participate in trips should plan to arrive on campus on August 19, and depart on August 25. 
  • Jans may participate in all programming between August 20-26, and additional Jan and family sessions are offered on August 19 and the morning of August 25. 
  • Please refer to the full orientation schedule for details.

Welcoming the Class of 2028

Greeted by a raucous group of Orientation Leaders waving witty signs and shouting words of welcome, nearly 460 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on College Hill to move in and begin Orientation in August 2024.

Read about move-in day
New students play a high-stakes game of rock-paper-scissors during 2024 orientation
Orientation Leaders welcome the class of 2028
Orientation leaders welcome the class of 2028
Students chase cars with handmade signs during orientation 2024.
New students get to know each other on Steuben Field
New students get to know each other during games on Steuben Field
New students get to know each other on Steuben Field
Orientation leaders help new students unpack.
Orientation leaders help new students unpack.
Campbell Greene ’28 gets help setting up her room from mom, Ashley Gates Greene ’96, in Dunham Hall
Campbell Greene ’28 gets help setting up her room from mom, Ashley Gates Greene ’96, in Dunham Hall
Max Murash, ’28, center, chats with his new roomie, Rob Cain ’28, left, and his dad, Barry Myrash, right, in Dunham Hall.
Max Murash, ’28, center, chats with his new roomie, Rob Cain ’28, left, and his dad, Barry Myrash, right, in Dunham Hall
New roommates, Sophia Spindler ’28 and Katherine Russell ’28, show off a few of their favorite items they brought from home to North Hall.
New roommates, Sophia Spindler ’28 and Katherine Russell ’28, show off a few of the favorite items they brought from home to North Hall
Jariah Lamons ‘28 is videoed by her mom, Tawanna Lamons as she makes her way past orientation leaders who line up along Martin’s Way
Jariah Lamons ’28 is caught on video by her mom, Tawanna Lamons, as she makes her way past a gauntlet of orientation leaders on Martin’s Way
Orientation leaders line up along Martin’s Way to greet incoming students and families
Costumed orientation leaders line up along Martin’s Way to greet incoming students and families

Related Stories

Orientation 2022 - loading buses

Class of 2028 Bonds Big on Orientation Trips

Fun moves fast at Hamilton. Less than two days after arriving on campus, the Class of 2028 embarked on 56 orientation trips, guided by more than 100 student leaders.

Students chase cars with handmade signs during orientation 2024.

New Students, New President, New Year: Welcome Class of 2028

Greeted by a raucous and flamboyantly dressed group of Orientation Leaders waving witty signs and shouting words of welcome, nearly 460 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on College Hill on Aug. 20 to move in and begin Orientation.

Contact

Contact Name

Tessa Chefalo

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement

Phone
315-859-4894

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