Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orientation and Registration (O&R) required for all students?

Yes, all entering first-year  students are required to attend one of the nine Summer Orientation and Registration sessions.  During Orientation, students will be made aware of resources on campus, have a chance to ask questions they might have about St. Thomas, become better acquainted with the St. Thomas community, receive their St. Thomas ID cards, and also register for classes.  Students will be expected to attend the full schedule of events.  Students who do not stay for the full schedule will be unable to register for classes at their orientation session.

Will I be with my parents during O&R?

While there are times throughout the orientation for students to get together with their parents, there are times when the programs are specific to either the parents or the students and we do keep them separate.  It works best when students and parents follow their respective schedules. See the tentative schedule for more details.

What do I need to bring to O&R?

Be sure to bring the following:
Your First-Year Registration Guide, casual clothes and comfortable shoes, lightweight jacket, pens, pencils, notebook, spending money (for the St. Thomas Bookstore, snacks, etc.), personal items if you are staying overnight (including shampoo, bathrobe, and alarm clock. Rooms on campus include bedding, towels, and soap).

Will my choice of courses be reduced if I attend O&R later in the summer?

Typically this is not the case.  The curriculum is structured and the size of the incoming class is considered when choosing the number of sections for certain classes.  We can assure that students will get the classes they need regardless of what session they attend in the summer, though they may not always be at the times students would prefer.

How does new student registration work at St. Thomas?

Towards the end of the orientation visit, students, along with their small group, will meet with an academic counselor.  He/she will walk the students through the core requirements and advise them on how to create a schedule suitable for that student's particular needs. 

Parents

Is O&R required for parents?

While it is not required, we highly encourage parents to register for Summer Orientation as well.  We have a great program for the parents where they can attend informational sessions designed especially for them, talk with faculty members, tour the campus and hear the experiences of other parents.

Will I be with my son/daughter during O&R?

There is both a parent schedule and a student schedule for Summer O&R.  There are times in the schedule when parents and students are together, but there are also  times when the students are with their small groups attending programs and having discussions geared specifically towards them.  Likewise, there are times when the parents are together attending programs and having discussions specific to their needs.  The experience of parents and students having the opportunity to do things alone and together help make Orientation and Registration a rewarding experience.  View the tentative schedule for students and parents for more details.