Orientation Schedule: Class of 2029

Large group of students sitting in the college's amphitheater holding candles at night time collection.

Orientation Schedule 

The full Orientation Schedule will be released in August, closer to your arrival to campus. For planning purposes, we wanted to share the basics for move in day below. Please remember, if you will be arriving to campus before the New Student Orientation, your move in dates and schedule may look a little different. You will receive more information for those programs later as well.

Glance at move in day (August 26, 2025):

Residence Halls open: 8am

Move-in and Unpack: 8am - 12pm

Lunch Break: 12pm-2pm

First Student Meet Up:  2:30pm

Family Welcome Event: 2:45pm

Family Farewell Event:  3:30pm*

All Student Meeting: 4:30pm

*We kindly invite families and friends to depart campus after the Family Farewell ends, so that your student can focus on Orientation 2029!

Please note that the above "At a Glance" calendar is provided for planning purposes only, and is not inclusive of all events scheduled on August 26, 2025

SUMMER Communication Timeline (tentative)

Additional information about Orientation will be shared throughout the summer. Some important communications to be on the lookout for:

  • Mid-May: We will email you with info on how to set up your Swarthmore email account and network access, and how to complete new student forms in mySwarthmore and Moodle.
  • June 1: Your first set of new student forms are due in mySwarthmore and Moodle.
  • Mid-July: We will email you with info on how to complete academic placement exams online.
  • Late July: Your final high school transcripts (and official standardized testing, if applicable*) are due to the Admissions Office. You will also receive your housing assignments and shared with you via our Housing Portal.
  • Early-mid August: Your academic placement exams are due
  • August 21-25: International Student Orientation.
  • August 26: New Student Move-In Day. 
  • Late August: New Student Orientation. Academic advising and course registration.