New Student Orientation

Laker Launch Days 

The most important part of New Student Orientation is a mandatory on-campus Laker Launch Day for students and their families. Laker Launch Days give students the opportunity to receive their class schedule, meet with academic support and representatives from their academic program, and get to know fellow future Lakers, while families attend a variety of engaging workshops. 

Summer 2024 Laker Launch Day Dates: 
Monday, June 24
Tuesday, June 25
Monday, July 15
Tuesday, July 16
Friday, August 16

Students should log in to their Admissions Portal to register, or to update their registration. All registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage students to register as soon as they confirm their enrollment to ensure they can attend their ideal date. Students who live a large distance from campus are encouraged to come to the August Laker Launch Day, and will be permitted to move in at the conclusion of orientation programming. 

Virtual Orientation 

Open to all incoming students, Virtual Orientation can be accessed via your Admissions Portal. Virtual Orientation is designed to be engaging and flexible. It is not a one-day event, but rather a collection of virtual meetings and discussions, videos, and activities. Most items can be completed at your leisure throughout the summer, but certain activities are required to be completed before a given deadline. 

Orientation Outcomes

 By attending New Student Orientation, students will: 

• Have an effective and comprehensive academic overview session followed by the completion of a class schedule in their chosen major 
• Gain more knowledge of the academic experience, student support services and student life 
• Understand the necessity of taking ownership and academic responsibility in their educational process 
• Have the opportunity to make connections with other students 
• Gain a better understanding of the personal and financial responsibilities of attending college 
• Begin to experience and embrace Mercyhurst's traditions, mission and core values 

Laker Family participation is essential to the Orientation experience, and ensures your student has a smooth transition to Mercyhurst. We have prepared an Orientation Family Guide to help our students and families stay informed about the resources and policies related to academics, student life, finances, and technology.

Laker Launch Day Schedule

Move-In Day and New Student Welcome 

New Student Welcome officially begins with Move-In Day on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Dozens of student volunteers, the Residence Life staff, and the campus community help make the move-in process incredibly smooth. New Student Welcome, which begins after the conclusion of Move-In Day, is a perfect opportunity for students to participate in welcome sessions and workshops, take a campus tour, attend social events, and make new friends before the fall term gets hectic. Commuter students also begin their New Student Welcome experience this day. 

Mercyhurst New Student Welcome (NSW) marks the official start of a students’ Hurst experience! This extended welcome programming is a transition period designed to help students settle into life at MU, build connections with their fellow incoming students, and develop a sense of belonging on campus before the start of classes. 

During NSW, students will have a chance to get acquainted with their Introduction to Mercyhurst—iMU (a starter class for students who are new to Mercyhurst) classmates. Students will be grouped by their iMU section number, which is located on their class schedule. Each student group will be assigned at least one Laker Leader, who is a trained student leader specifically chosen to serve as a mentor—they have been through this before and can help new students build connections and make Hurst their home!