First Year & Transfer Orientation
Welcome to Saint Mary's College!
We are excited to welcome you to the Gael family! We’re here to support you and provide you with resources to ensure your success at Saint Mary’s College. Your college experience starts with New Student Orientation, an essential introduction to life at SMC that provides you with the resources you need for success.
At orientation, you’ll connect with new classmates and friends, learn about the support services available to you, and explore the many opportunities to get involved on campus. We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve. Go Gaels!
Register for Orientation
Orientation Dates & Times
Registration
All new students, including transfer students, need to register for orientation. Each student is allowed to bring two guests to orientation; we have a program just for them!
A one-time charge of $300 for orientation will be applied directly to a student's account and covers all costs associated with orientation, administrative costs, materials, and staffing.
Date | Time | Description |
| Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 9am- 4pm | |
| Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 9am- 4pm | Simultaneous Spanish interpretation for parents and families. |
| Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 9am- 4pm | |
| Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 9am- 4pm |
Schedule of Events
| STUDENT PROGRAM | |
| 8:30am | Start Here: Your SMC Adventure Begins | Check-In at Soda Center plaza, enjoy breakfast refreshments and explore some of the resources that SMC has to offer as your first step to beginning your Saint Mary’s adventure. |
| 9:00am | Opening the Doors to SMC | Discover Saint Mary's mission and values, and understand what it means to be part of our supportive community. |
| 9:25am | Rooted in Mission, Committed to your Experience | Learn from alumni and current students about what it means to join the SMC community, including academic life, traditions, and campus culture. |
| 10:10am | Belonging Begins Here: Building Your Gael Circle | Connect with fellow students in small groups, facilitated by Orientation Leaders, to start building your community on campus. |
| 11:00am | Tap, Swipe, Thrive: Life Hacks for Campus Living | Explore various hacks from living on campus, finding your people, taking care of yourselves and what resources are at your fingertips. |
| 11:45am | Creating Your Academic Path: Interests, Schedules, and Opportunities | Your introduction to the SMC Academic Experience, how to curate your own schedule, and explore opportunities for enrichment and academic success. |
12:00pm | Academic Building Blocks: Majors, Minors & More | Explore academic programs and opportunities at SMC with a particular focus on first-year courses and academic experiences. |
| Enjoy Lunch in Oliver Hall (on-campus cafeteria) | |
| 1:05pm | Enriching your Academic Experience | Submit your Pre-Enrollment Questionnaire, then explore opportunities for Jan Term and Study Abroad, engaged learning, leadership, on-campus work, research, internships, professional and graduate school pathways, and career readiness. |
| 2:10pm | Real Talk: Your Life as a Gael | After a day of learning and exploring, reconnect with your Orientation Leaders and ask them anything about their day-to-day to help you prepare for your day-to-day as a Gael! |
| 3:20pm | Celebrating New Beginnings | Reconnect with your guests, reflect on the day and leave Orientation with your Student ID card and more resources to prepare for Fall 2025. |
3:45pm | See Your Future Home | Enjoy a tour of the various residence halls that your student can self-select during their first year on campus. |
| Cool Off at the Pub | Can't get enough of the day, but want to cool off? Visit the pub to enjoy a selection of smoothies, boba and food options for purchase! | |
| GUEST PROGRAM | |
| 8:30am | Start Here: Your SMC Adventure Begins | Check-In at Soda Center plaza, enjoy breakfast refreshments and explore some of the resources that SMC has to offer as your first step to beginning your Saint Mary’s adventure. |
| 9:00am | Opening the Doors to SMC | Discover Saint Mary's mission and values, and understand what it means to be part of our supportive community. |
| 9:30am | Rooted in Mission, Committed to your Experience | Learn from alumni and current students about what it means to join the SMC community, including academic life, traditions, and campus culture. |
| 10:30am | Family Matters: Guiding without Hovering | Learn practical ways to support your student’s independence while staying connected. |
11:45am | Breakout Session I: Choose Your Adventure |
| Helping your Student Thrive Academically | Gain insight into academic advising, course planning, and tips to help your student succeed. | |
| Funding the Future | Understand financial aid, payment deadlines, and key financial resources for your student’s journey. | |
| From Gael to Graduate: Career-Ready Paths | Explore how the Career Center supports your student from their first year to life after graduation. | |
| 12:30pm | Lunch & Mingle with current students |
| 1:15pm | Thriving @ SMC: Wellness, Belonging, and Engagement | Understand how campus departments under Student Life supports your students to thrive while at SMC. |
2:15pm | Breakout Session II: Choose Your Adventure |
| Signature Academic Programs: Core Curriculum & Global Gaels | Explore signature academic programs: core curriculum & global gaels and how it supports their student. | |
| Partnering with Your Gael: Support Without Stepping In | A continuation of the morning's session, hear from support staff about how families can supplement their student's navigation of transitioning into a college setting. | |
| Giving Your Gael a Financial Advantage: On-Campus Financial Support | Learn ways the University Credit Union provides guidance and support for students and families regarding financial literacy and more! | |
| 3:30pm | Celebrating New Beginnings | Reconnect with your students, reflect on the day and leave Orientation with more resources to prepare for Fall 2025. |
3:45 PM | See Your Future Home | Enjoy a tour of the various residence halls that your student can self-select during their first year on campus. |
| Cool Off at the Pub | Can't get enough of the day, but want to cool off? Visit the pub to enjoy a selection of smoothies, boba and food options for purchase! | |
In addition to attending New Student Orientation, all international students are required to attend the International Student Orientation. Workshops offered during this special orientation will assist with your transition to new surroundings and a new culture.
Through interactive workshops and presentations, you will be introduced to concepts of intercultural communication and immigration concepts to build a strong foundation to help you settle into your new life at Saint Mary’s. During orientation, you will be involved in activities to help you learn about life as an international student at Saint Mary's. You'll also learn about the F-1 student visa, how to maintain your status, as well as how to work in the US.
For more information regarding International Student Orientation, visit the Center for International Programs.
Tips for Success
Contact Us
New Student & Family Programs
1928 St. Mary's Road, PMB 4238
Moraga, CA 94575
Call at: (925) 631-4647