All new students to Goshen College participate in on-campus orientation prior to the start of classes.
Welcome Weekend is our mandatory one-day orientation for transfer students with 17 or more credits. This is an important transition for new students and activities and sessions are required unless otherwise noted. Students should plan to be available and on campus Friday, August 25, and begin to make plans accordingly. Activities are scheduled for Saturday, August 26, and Sunday, August 27, but are not required.
Transfer Students: Make sure you are registered for Welcome Weekend.
* = required activities for new transfer students
Thursday, August 24
6 – 7:30 p.m. — Move-In (parents and families welcome!) | Connector*
All new residential transfer students will move in during this time.
Friday, August 25
9 – 10 a.m. — Check-In (parents and families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall*
All new transfer students will receive an assigned time to go through the check-in line and complete the final steps before classes begin. This information will be sent to your GC email account between August 7-11. Interpreters will be available for parents and family members.
10:15 a.m. — Preparation for the New School Year (parents and families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room *
Get acquainted with GC and your Transfer Advisor, ending with a campus tour.
11 a.m. — Student Involvement Showcase (parents and families welcome!) | Shrock Plaza
Students will be able to find out what clubs and organizations are available for Goshen College students. The showcase is co-hosted by Student Life and the Campus Activities Council (CAC).
11:30 a.m. — Welcome & Lunch (parents and families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room *
Meet President Stoltzfus, Academic Dean Vendrely, and Dean of Students Gilberto Perez Jr. Lunch will be provided.
11:45 a.m. — Student Life Overview (parents and families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room*
The Student Life staff will share about their areas during lunch.
This is the last scheduled event for parents and family members.
12:45 p.m. — Student Resources | Newcomer Center (NC 19) *
Meet the Academic Success Center (ASC) team and learn about academic resources, tutoring options, and coaching appointments. You’ll receive an introduction to MyGC, Moodle, and GC Online.
1:15 p.m. — Academic Overview | Newcomer Center (NC 19) *
Meet the Registrar and the CORE Director and learn more about liberal arts and the CORE at GC, chapel/convo requirements, the role of the academic advisor, the academic catalog, your schedule, and an introduction to the Library iTour.
2:15 p.m. — Library iTour | Good Library *
Complete the Library iTour as part of your academic onboarding.
3 – 4:30 p.m. — Advising Sessions | Faculty Offices and the Library *
Students will be assigned a time to meet with their academic advisors and review their schedules.
5 – 7 p.m. — Dinner | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of dinner will be covered for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s Station.
7 p.m. — Trivia Night (optional) | Newcomer Center, NC 19
End the week with trivia night! Students can bring a team or form one after they arrive. No need to sign up in advance. Hosted by Residence Life. The evening activities are optional, but all new students are encouraged to participate.
Saturday, August 26
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Continental Breakfast | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of breakfast will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s Station.
12 – 1 p.m. — Brunch | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of brunch will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s station. The dining hall will be open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; hot food will be served between 12 – 1 p.m.
12 – 4 p.m. — Afternoon at the Cabin (optional) | College Cabin at Witmer Woods
Student Life will host an afternoon at the College Cabin, located off-campus on the edge of Witmer Woods. Outdoor activities will be offered. You can also come to relax. Witmer Woods is within walking distance from campus.
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of dinner will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s station.
7 p.m. — Men’s Soccer vs Lawrence Tech (optional) | GC Soccer Complex
Join other students and cheer on the men’s soccer team as they play against Lawrence Tech. The Athletics Department will host a water balloon fight during halftime.
Sunday, August 27
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Continental Breakfast | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of breakfast will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s station.
12 – 1 p.m. — Brunch | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of brunch will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s station. The dining hall will be open from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; hot food will be served between 12 – 1 p.m.
3 – 5 p.m. — Guided Campus Tours (optional) | Schrock Plaza
Returning Goshen College students will offer guided campus tours for new students. New students can bring a copy of their class schedule and walk the path of their Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (MWF) schedules and Tuesday and Thursday (TR) schedules. New students can stop by Schrock Plaza, located outside the Harold & Wilma Good Library, anytime between 3- 4:30 p.m. to participate in this optional activity.
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner | Westlawn Dining Hall *
Students with meal plans will swipe their cards. The cost of dinner will be covered for new students who do not have a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan; sign in at the cashier’s station.
7 – 8:30 p.m. — Ice Cream Social (optional) | Westlawn Dining Hall *
Join other students for an ice cream social on the eve of the first day of classes. Hosted by Student Life.
Monday, August 28
First day of classes for the fall semester.
Please note: New international students are expected to participate in New International Student Orientation on Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon. New international transfer students are welcome to join the Welcome Week sessions or activities. You can view the schedule here.