Orientations & Information for Incoming Students

Orientations & Information for Incoming Students

The first few weeks of college are exciting, joyous and memorable — but they also have the potential to be stressful. The Office of Student Involvement assists incoming students with their transition to college life at Holy Cross through a nationally recognized orientation program. Over the course of Gateways Orientation, you’ll experience the residential and academic environment on campus, gain a greater appreciation for the Jesuit, Catholic mission of the College, learn about educational opportunities and responsibilities, and begin to build friendships with your classmates.

Gateways Orientation involves the collaboration of student leaders, faculty, and staff members who provide authentic insight into what you should expect of your Holy Cross experience. Gateways Orientation will begin on move in day and will consist of five days of programming for students to understand what it means to live and learn and community. All new students are expected to fully participate in Gateways Orientation.
 

Additional Orientation Opportunities 

• Gateways International Student Orientation is a special orientation program offered free of charge for first-year international students. In addition to introducing them to residential and academic life at Holy Cross, this program helps with important personal matters that include everything from setting up a bank account and purchasing a cell phone to identifying campus support services and understanding U.S. immigration requirements. All first-year international students are expected to participate in this program.
• Gateways Transfer Student Orientation is a program for transfer students to meet their peers, meet faculty and staff, and become better acquainted with life at Holy Cross. Orientation Leaders will welcome new transfer students and through a variety of sessions and activities that are planned specifically to recognize previous educational experiences as a transfer student.
• The Passport Program is designed to assist promising first-year students achieve their full potential during their transition to the educational experience at Holy Cross. Each year Admissions invites selected incoming students to participate in Passport. The program includes a summer four week residential program, a fall component consisting of 1:1 meetings and workshops, and a spring retreat. Participation in Passport will earn a student one unit of academic credit for completing one course designed and taught by Holy Cross faculty during the summer component.
• Odyssey is a summer program for first-year students who are first generation to college, students of color, and/or eligible for the Pell Grant. Odyssey provides an opportunity for incoming students to move to campus a few days early to build relationships with peers, faculty, and administrators, participate in identity workshops, and become familiarized with campus resources and the local Worcester community.
• The Mentor Program is open to support students in their transition from high school to Holy Cross. Students invited to participate in the Mentor Program include, but are not restricted to, first-year students of color, first-generation students, students eligible for the Pell Grant, transfer students, international students, Passport, and Odyssey students. Students will be matched with a 3rd- or 4th-year peer mentor for ongoing conversation, advice, and friendship.
• Knowing the transition to College is also a major adjustment and transition for family members, the Office of Parent and Family Engagement provides many family on-boarding programs for parents, guardians, and support figures in collaboration with many key departments. Family members can expect to be connected with communications and webinars throughout the summer and fall to support their student’s transition to Holy Cross.