Stanford students attend the 2022 Graduate Orientation Activities Lunch Information Event. (Image credit: Alex Gillaspy)

The newest members of the Stanford community are set to arrive on campus this weekend and next week for New Student Orientation (NSO), New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO), and International Student Orientation (ISO).

Throughout the week, new students will move into their campus residences, attend events, and participate in programming that will help them acclimate to life at Stanford.

“Orientation is a fun and important time for new students,” said NSO orientation coordinator Johan Sotelo, ’25. “The events and programs are designed to welcome them to the community and help them establish a foundation for success as they begin their Stanford journey.”

This year, Stanford is welcoming 1,710 new first-year undergraduates, 58 undergraduate transfer students, and approximately 2,772 graduate students. Among new first-year undergraduates and transfers, more than 220 are from outside the United States. Among new graduate students, about 35-40% come from outside the United States.

Welcoming undergraduates

All new undergraduate students are required to participate in NSO, which is Tuesday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 24. The event is coordinated by Approaching Stanford. It begins Tuesday, or Move-In Day, one of NSO’s signature events during which new students move into their Stanford homes. Undergraduate residences across campus – from Wilbur and Casper to FloMo and Muwekma-Tah-Ruk – will open their doors and greet students as they arrive. President Richard Saller will make his way to some residences to greet new students.

In the evening, new undergraduate first-year and transfer students are invited to Stanford’s 133rd Opening Convocation Ceremony, a formal inauguration of the academic year. Speakers will include President Saller; Richard Shaw, dean of admissions and financial aid; Sarah Church, vice provost for undergraduate education; and Mona Hicks, dean of students. Johan Sotelo will deliver the student address.

The event will be at Frost Amphitheater from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All family members and guests are welcome. No tickets are needed.

On Wednesday, students are invited to Faces of Community, an event to introduce new first-year and transfer students to the diversity of the Stanford community. The event will feature current students sharing unique and varied personal stories that have shaped their lives, including the triumphs, lessons, and hardships.

Throughout the week, Stanford’s many community centers will host open houses, including the Office of Military Affiliated Communities, the Women’s Community Center, the Jewish Community Center, the FLI Student Success Center, the Queer Student Resource Community, and The Markaz. Other events include a presentation with academic advisors, an info session for transfers, neighborhood socials, and an academic and campus resources fair in Canfield Court and Meyer Green.

Further details, including a complete program, are available on the NSO website.

Greetings, grad students!

NGSO takes place Sunday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 23, and is coordinated by the Graduate Life Office. It is designed to connect new grad students to the many campus resources that will help guide them through their years at Stanford.

The event begins Sunday with the New Graduate Student Welcome event hosted by the Stanford Alumni Association. Throughout the week, new students are invited to tours of campus and libraries, open houses at Stanford’s many community centers, and workshops like the Starting Graduate School Right workshop, an interactive event to discuss strategies and approaches to manage time and stay motivated in graduate school. Throughout NGSO, students will also learn about such campus resources as the Office of Accessible Education, Vaden Medical Services, the Office of Military Affiliated Communities, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE).

The Graduate Orientation Activities Lunch Information Event, or GOALIE, is one of the signature events of NGSO. It will take place Friday, Sept. 22, at noon at Canfield Court in front of Stanford Law School. The tabling event convenes more than 110 university departments and student organizations. Lunch will be provided.

Several social events will offer new grad students an opportunity to connect with each other, including a speed friending event and a movie night. On Tuesday evening, students are invited to American Football 101 at the football practice field. The annual event introduces grad students to the game through drills and activities led by Stanford football alumni.

A complete schedule of events is available online.

Benvenuto, 欢迎, selamat datang!

Stanford is welcoming new students from across the globe. International Student Orientation (ISO) kicks off Saturday, Sept. 16, with a welcome event at Bechtel International Center, which is coordinating the orientation. ISO runs through Tuesday, Sept. 19. During the four-day event, students will participate in campus tours, a walk around Palo Alto, and receive resources to help them navigate Stanford.

Students will get to participate in several fun social events and activities during ISO, including a scavenger hunt on Saturday morning. That afternoon they are invited to play beach volleyball at the Escondido Village Graduate Residences (EVGR) and a S’mores Night at the Lake Lagunita BBQ pit in the evening.

Monday evening is the Final Banquet. The event will be at Bechtel International Center at 6 p.m. and attendees are invited to bring an item of clothing that represents their culture.

A complete schedule is available online.