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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation

 

Red box with gray and white squares, text is Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation

Becoming Big Red: 2025 Cornell Family Orientation

Family Orientation at Cornell University is more than just an event—it's an essential journey that marks the beginning of an exciting adventure for both students and their families.  Family Orientation is designed to immerse you in the Cornell experience, ensuring you feel informed, supported, and connected.

 

Family Orientation includes communication during the summer before a student's arrival on campus through our Becoming Big Red Newsletter and Conversations webinar series. Newsletters will be sent out regularly beginning in May, and will be complemented by our Conversation Series. In-person sessions will be hosted during new student move-in before classes. 

Family Orientation: August 18-19

  • We encourage families to plan to stay both days, if you are able, moving in one day and participating in Family Orientation the other.
  • Family Orientation will conclude on August 19 with New Student Convocation, which will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. We invite families to attend with their students. 

New Student Move-In: August 18-19

  • Students will receive their housing assignments in mid-June, which will determine which day they will be assigned to move in. 

New Student Orientation: August 18-24

While we encourage you to take note of these dates and mark your calendars, we suggest that you wait to make any travel arrangements until additional information is shared. Detailed scheduling information, including specific move-in days and orientation schedules, will be released in late spring.

Are you a new student's parent or family member and not receiving our emails? You can sign up or update your information to receive our communications to families on our Cornell Family Contact form (you will need your student's netid to sign up). Also, please ask your student to confirm your information on their New Student To Do List.