New Student Orientation (NSO)
New students attend New Student Orientation (NSO) as part of their onboarding to Goshen College. This in-person experience introduces students to campus resources and employees who support their pursuit of a college degree.
Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend with their students. Several sessions will be specifically for our guests who are attending in a supporting role.
New students starting in August 2026 can join us for NSO on either Friday, June 12, or Saturday, June 13. The schedule is the same for both dates. Students only need to register for one.
NSO Schedule
All sessions take place in the Church-Chapel (#33 on the campus map). Parking is available on the south side of the building.
8:30 a.m. | ASL Placement Testing | Fellowship Hall
Students who signed up for the American Sign Language (ASL) placement test, as part of their NSO registration, will check in at the Fellowship Hall before being walked to the placement testing location.
9 a.m. | NSO Check-in | Fellowship Hall
Students will pick up their NSO folder and name tag. Students can also sign up for the afternoon campus tour. Continental breakfast provided.
9:30 a.m. | How to Successfully Pre-Launch | Sanctuary
The Orientation Team will provide an overview of the day and what to anticipate before Leaf Launch (Welcome Weekend) at the end of August. Students will learn how to register for classes and pay the fall bill.
10 a.m. | Academic Insights (students only) | South Fellowship Hall
Academic advisors will be available to discuss typical schedules and expectations in their areas of interest, as well as what students can expect from the schedules they’ll receive in July. Students will also have a chance to meet new classmates.
10 a.m. | Support Your Student’s Transition (parents and family members) | Sanctuary
Hear from members of our Academic Success Center and Student Life Office about the various resources available to students and how you can support their transition to Goshen College. Parents and family members will have an opportunity during Check-in to submit questions for the panel to answer.
10:45 a.m. – Noon | Information Fair | Fellowship Hall
Students receive a personalized copy of the New Student Checklist that identifies which “Tasks required for course registration” have been completed. Representatives from campus offices will be available during the Information Fair to answer questions and assist students in completing the remaining items on their checklists. Students should stop by the Orientation table before leaving.
11:30 a.m. | Campus Tour
The campus tour will depart from the Admissions table at the Information Fair.
Registration closes on Wednesday, June 10, at midnight.
New Student Orientation (NSO) FAQ
All incoming first-year students are strongly encouraged to attend orientation on either June 12 or 13.
While there is no live or asynchronous virtual option available for students who cannot attend in person, all information shared at NSO is available online. The advantage of attending in person is the ability to meet fellow students and ask questions. All offices and departments represented at NSO offer in-person meetings, phone calls, or Zoom calls outside of NSO.
Non-traditional-aged students are welcome to register and attend.
New transfer students are welcome to register and attend.
We’ll miss seeing you in person. We understand there is a lot happening in June: graduation, family vacations, summer jobs, and other obligations. The NSO sessions will focus on the requirements for registering for classes. All of the content shared is available through goshen.edu/orientation (parents and family members have access) and OnCampus/orientation (available to students only). The only difference is the ability to talk with other new students and ask questions in person at the Information Fair. Campus offices are more than willing to schedule phone calls and Zoom meetings to answer your questions if you’d like to talk with someone beyond email.
Absolutely. Family members are an essential part of the transition to college, and we encourage family members to attend with students. Anyone you consider a support person is welcome to participate in NSO with you. This could be a parent, guardian, sibling, family member, or friend. There will be several sessions specifically for those attending with students. You’ll share who will participate by adding “Family Members” to your registration.
There is no fee for NSO. A continental breakfast will be provided for all attendees.
Students and family members are together except for one session, but come back together for the Information Fair.
NSO is a half-day program. Check-in begins at 9 am EST, and the whole thing runs until noon.
Students should download the orientation app, Yapp, to view the schedule and important information on preparing for NSO.
- GC ID number (the 6-digit number assigned to you)
- GC username
- A sweater or light jacket (you will be in air-conditioned buildings)
- Something to write with to jot down information from the presentations and information regarding resources
Yes. You will receive your student ID before departing NSO. Students who are unable to attend NSO will receive their ID during New Student Check-in as part of Leaf Launch (Welcome Weekend).
There is space for students to request accommodations during registration. Students can report on behalf of family members when they add their names. We will contact them for details, or they may contact us. We make every effort to make sure their needs are met.
Spanish interpretation will be available for every session, except the Information Fair.
Please email [email protected].
Questions? Email [email protected].