Two people overlooking a map at an Orientation session.

Orientation

Depending on your program or student status, you most likely need to attend one or more Orientation sessions. Here’s what to know.

Graduate student Orientation

Whether you’re new or returning to KU, we encourage you to attend Orientation sessions. In addition to specific Orientation sessions (see below), new Lawrence-campus students admitted for the fall are also invited to attend the university-wide Hawk Week during the first week of fall classes and Graduate Studies sessions the week before fall classes begin. Over these weeks in August, you’ll network with other students and faculty, explore the KU and Lawrence communities, and connect with offices that support graduate students.

New students are also encouraged to watch our Paying for KU video to learn about costs, financial aid options and next steps, as well as how to pay your bill.

Hawk Week

Paying for KU

New KU students are also encouraged to watch the Paying for KU video below. It walks through planning for costs, financial options and next steps, as well as how to pay your bill.

Orientations

International student Orientation

New international graduate students are required to complete YOU at KU, the Orientation programming hosted by International Support Services. Through a week of activities and events, students connect with other new Jayhawks, explore local culture, and enroll in first-semester courses.
ISS Orientation

Departmental Orientations

Many programs host their own new-student Orientation sessions for incoming students. These sessions offer new graduate students the opportunity to get to know their peers and the faculty they’ll be working with as they pursue their degree. For more information, contact your program or adviser.

Edwards Campus Orientation 

If you’re pursuing your graduate degree at KU’s Edwards Campus, we encourage you to attend the new-student Orientation.
Edwards Orientation

Graduate teaching assistant Orientation

Students who are newly appointed to a graduate teaching assistantship are required to attend GTA Orientation. The program is hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, and introduces new GTAs to teaching at KU and in their program.
GTA Orientation