First-Year Orientation and Programs

Students exploring campus in the fall

Fall Advising & Registration

Required

Western’s required Advising & Registration program provides an opportunity to learn about academic planning and prepare you for classes. Fall Advising & Registration (A&R) sessions are available in August and September. You can make your A&R reservation beginning in early June.

Advising & Registration

Three students sit at a table in Red Square on a sunny day

Viking Launch

Optional

Viking Launch allows students to move into residence halls a week early and, before the quarter begins, take an experience-based seminar designed to launch them toward a major or professional field.

Viking Launch

Students hike the Chuckanut Mountains

Western Outdoor Orientation Trips (WOOT)

Optional

WOOT supports, enhances, and eases the transition to Western for first-year students through outdoor adventure.

WOOT

Programs for Your First-Year at Western

A student conducts research in a lab

Distinguished Scholars Programs

While Scholars programs vary in their offerings, the goal of each is to create a small cohort experience for first-year students. Applications are open January through February.

Distinguished Scholars