New Student Orientation
Orientation is a time for new students to learn more about their academic career, have meetings with advisors and counselors, review their fall course schedule, ask questions, and meet their future classmates! This programming promotes discussion among new and current students and parents/guardians, as well as faculty, staff, and administrators on the expectations and perceptions of college life and the campus community.
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 2025 Laker Launch Days
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, June 23, 2025
- Monday, June 30, 2025
- Friday, July 25, 2025
- Monday, July 28, 2025
- Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025
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
| Time | Students | Families |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Check-in: Students will get their ID photo taken and receive their folder with their class schedule for the day. Location: Performing Arts Center (PAC) Lobby and Art Gallery | |
| 9-10:20 a.m. | Welcome: University staff will welcome you with a prayer, class statistics, and an inspiring message about your new journey at Mercyhurst! Location: PAC | |
| Academic Supports and Resources: Learn about all of the support systems that exist on campus, as well as information about your iMU class and FERPA. Location: PAC | ||
| Your First Two Weeks: What do the first two weeks at Mercyhurst look like? From Move-in Day to commuter resources to New Student Welcome, you will discover what these weeks look like as a student! Location: PAC | ||
| Dining and OneCard: Learn all about what and where to eat and how to use your Mercyhurst Student ID - Your OneCard. Location: PAC | ||
| 10:30-11 a.m. | Student Meeting: Get to know some fellow Lakers! Location: Classrooms | Mini Fair: Learn more about resources on campus and information for your student. Optional: Family Q&A for families sending their first student to college. Location: Art Gallery |
| 11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Academic Meetings: Students and their families will meet to hear from faculty and staff from their respective academic school based on their student's major. Location: Classrooms | |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch and Pick-up Your OneCard: Enjoy lunch in the Grotto Commons Dining Hall and make sure to pick up your OneCard. Location: Grotto Commons Dining Hall and OneCard Office | |
| 1:15-2:20 p.m. | Student Financial Services: Everything you need to know about your Mercyhurst bill! Location: PAC | |
| Student Wellness and Safety: Hear from our Wellness and Police & Safety team about the resources on campus and how to keep yourself and others safe. Location: PAC | ||
| Schedule Information: What you need to know about your academic schedule. Location: PAC | ||
| 2:15-2:30 p.m. | Student-Athlete Presentation: Student-athletes and their families will stay in the PAC for our athletics staff to present what you need to know as a first-year student-athlete. Location: PAC | |
| 2:15-4 p.m. | Student Services Fair: Meet the people behind most of our campus resources, ask questions, get a campus or residence hall tour, change your academic schedule, visit the Honors program Open House (by invitation), and more! Location: Hammermill Library | |
| 3:30-4:30 p.m. | President's Social: Meet members of the university President's Cabinet, reconnect with other students and families, enjoy some outdoor games, indulge in light refreshments, exchange contact information, and finish out the day in a relaxing, fun environment. Location: Mary Garden, right outside the library | |
Move-In Day and New Student Welcome
New Student Welcome officially begins with Move-In Day on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. and ends on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. 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 first day of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.
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!
Mercyhurst Orientation Team