August Orientation Schedule
Welcome to WPI’s New Student Orientation (NSO) for August 2026.
We’re look forward to welcoming new students to campus this fall August 16-August 19, 2026. All new students matriculating in Fall 2026 are expected to attend the full New Student Orientation program. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Last updated, May 8, 2026.
New Student Orientation Schedule 2026
Sunday, August 16
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00am-3:00pm |
Mailroom Open Campus Center 1st Floor |
| 9:00am-2:30pm |
Residential Check In and Arrival Gateway Garage -- see your residence hall move in information for your assigned time |
| 9:00am-2:30pm |
Non-Residential Student Key Pick Up East Hall |
| 9:00am-5:00pm |
Shuttles from Gateway to Campus Rotating Shuttle from Gateway Garage to WPI Recreation Center Bus Circle |
| 10:00am-2:00pm |
Academic Advising Drop in Hours Unity Hall, 5th Floor -- Academic Advising Suite |
| 10:00am-3:00pm |
ITS Drop in Hours Gordon Library. Main Floor ITS Help Desk |
| 10:00am-4:00pm |
Bookstore Open Rubin Campus Center, 2nd Floor |
| 11:00am-1:00pm |
Banking and Services Fair Innovation Studio 103 |
| 11:00am-1:00pm |
Campus Tours Meet outside the Bartlett Center by the Gompei Statue at 11am or 12pm to get a campus tour! |
| 11:00am-3:00pm |
Photo Booth Rubin Campus Center Patio Capture your move in memories with your family and newest friends! |
| 11:00am-1:00pm |
Lunch on your own Check out one of WPI's dining locations or explore the local Worcester area! Meal plans do not begin until dinner for students. |
| 12:00pm-2:00pm |
Welcome Expo Innovation Studio, 2nd Floor Stop by the connect with support services that provide resources for students during their time at WPI. |
| 3:00pm-3:30pm |
Welcome with the Deans Students should plan to attend the welcome of the school of their major. Undecided students should attend a welcome of their choosing/ the school the major they are considering. |
|
Business School, Unity Hall 520 |
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School of Arts and Sciences, Alden Hall |
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School of Engineering, Harrington Auditorium |
|
| 3:30pm-4:00pm |
Frozen Treats Fountain and Freeman Plaza |
| 4:00pm | Family and Friends Depart |
| 4:15pm-5:00pm |
Student Welcome Connect Check your HUB Account for your assigned meeting location |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm |
Dinner on your Residential Floor Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm | Connect with your Residence Hall |
| 8:00pm-10:00pm |
Late Night on the Field Join 1300 of your newest friends for a night of fun activities and friendly competition! |
Monday, August 17
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:15am-9:15am |
Breakfast optional Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 8:00am-10:00pm |
Rec Center Open Hours open to WPI students with their WPI ID |
| 9:30am-10:15am |
Matriculation Harrington Auditorium Your official welcome to WPI as a new student. Join this WPI tradition to kick of your career as a student. |
| 10:15am-11:15am |
Bridge Crossing depart from Harrington Auditorium Cross the bridge for the first time with your new classmates. The next time you'll cross with your peers, you'll be graduating! |
| 11:15am-1:30pm |
Lunch with you School WPI Quadrangle Join members of your school including faculty after Bridge Crossing for Lunch on the Quad. |
| 12:00pm-1:00pm |
Yoga Center for Wellbeing, Daniels Hall |
| 1:45pm-2:45pm |
Rotating Block Session Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
|
Bystander Training |
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Curiosity as Connection |
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|
Wellbeing at WPI |
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|
Insight Meeting |
|
| 3:00pm-4:00pm |
Rotating Block Session Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
|
Bystander Training |
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Curiosity as Connection |
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Wellbeing at WPI |
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|
Insight Meeting |
|
| 4:00pm |
Group Run Meet at the Rec Center Bus Circle |
| 5pm-8pm |
Greek Carnival WPI Quadrangle Stop by the Quad for lawn games, snacks, prizes and most importantly new friends! Hosted by the Fraternity and Sorority Community at WPI. |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm |
Dinner on your Residential Floor Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 7pm-9pm |
VIP Night at the Bookstore Bookstore, Rubin Campus Center 2nd Floor Stop by to stock up! |
| 8pm-9:30pm |
Bingo with the Social Committee Rubin Campus Center, Odeum The Social Committee majors in fun so bingo is bound to be a good time! Complete with WPI themed prizes and opportunities to connect. |
| 8pm-9:30pm |
E-Sports Night East Hall E Sports Lounge, 1st Floor |
Tuesday, August 18
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:15am-9:15am |
Breakfast optional Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 8:00am-10:00pm |
Rec Center Open Hours open to WPI students with their WPI ID |
| 9:30am-10:30am | Ethics |
| 10:30am-11am | Class Photo |
| 11:30am-12:30pm |
Rotating Block Session Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
|
Bystander Training |
|
|
Curiosity as Connection |
|
|
Wellbeing at WPI |
|
|
Insight Meeting |
|
| 11:30am-1:30pm |
Lunch Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
| 12pm-1pm |
Yoga Center for Wellbeing, Daniels Hall |
| 12:30pm-1:30pm |
Rotating Block Session Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
|
Bystander Training |
|
|
Curiosity as Connection |
|
|
Wellbeing at WPI |
|
|
Insight Meeting |
|
| 1:30pm-2:30pm |
Rotating Block Session Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
|
Bystander Training |
|
|
Curiosity as Connection |
|
|
Wellbeing at WPI |
|
|
Insight Meeting |
|
|
Break Time |
|
| 3:00pm-4:30pm |
Neuro Divergent Student Association Meeting and Greet location TBD All students welcome |
| 3:00pm-4:30pm |
ODIME Reception Unity Hall 500 Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education. All students are welcome. |
| 3:00pm-4:30pm |
Center for Wellbeing Open House Center for Wellbeing, Daniels Hall |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm |
Dinner Check your HUB account for your assigned location and group |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm | Free time with your Residence Hall |
| 8:00pm-8:45pm |
Three Cheers for the Engineers Harrington Auditorium Show your WPI spirit pride! |
| 9:00pm-10:00pm |
Trivia Campus Center Stage, 1st Floor |
| 9:00pm-10:30pm |
Student Comedy Productions Upper Perreault Hall, Fuller Labs Hosted by Student Comedy Production, you're sure to have a laugh! |
Wednesday, August 19
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:15am-9:15am |
Breakfast optional Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 8:00am-10:00pm |
Rec Center Open Hours open to WPI students with their WPI ID |
| 9:30am-11:30am |
Oasis House Open House 20 Schussler Road Stop by the Oasis House, home to ODIME to reconnect with fellow Connections Students or learn about the space! Open to all students. |
| 9:30am-11:30am |
Collegiate Religious Center Open House 19 Schussler Road Learn more about the Religious Programming spaces available for observation, prayer or reflection. Open to all students. |
| 10:30am--11:20am |
Getting Financially Ready for College Location TBD Hosted by the Financial Aid Office, learn the basic to plan and prepare for when it comes to budgeting for expenses. |
| 9:30am-10:15am |
Federal Work Study at WPI Unity 500 Students with Federal Work Study should plan to attend this session to learn about the requirements to earn their Federal Work Study. Immediately following, we encourage students to visit the Community Service Fair to learn more about opportunities to complete the FWS Community Service Requirement. |
| 10:30am-12:00pm |
Community Service Fair Unity 400 Learn about how to get involved in the Worcester Community! FWS Students can also find opportunities to complete their required service hours OR find a full time volunteer opportunity for their FWS. |
| 10:00am-12:00pm |
Humanity and Arts Open House Alden Hall Learn about the various ways to connect with the Humanity and Theatre/ Arts at WPI. |
| 11:15am-1:30pm |
Lunch Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
| 1:30pm-3:00pm |
Job Fair Alden Hall Hosted by the Talent and Inclusion Team, visit the Student Job Fair to learn more about opportunities for employment at WPI. Positions include Federal Work Study jobs, and department positions. Positions listed include opportunities for undergraduate, graduate or both students. |
| 2:00pm-3:00pm |
ROTC Information Session Location TBD Interested in joining ROTC or have already committed? Plan to stop by this information session. |
| 3:00pm-5:00pm |
SAO Involvement Fair WPI Quadrangle WPI has over 160 clubs with plenty of opportunities to join! Stop by to learn more and meet the clubs and their members. Joining a club is not required and membership for almost all clubs can begin at any time of the year. |
| 5:00pm-8:00pm |
Dinner Check your HUB account for your assigned dining location |
Non-Residential/ Commuter Students
What parts of NSO should I attend?
The New Student Orientation is for all WPI students regardless of residential location. Non-residential students should plan to participate in all programming offered during business hours and all Insight meetings. Non-residential students are asked to participate in all orientation programming however social programs are encouraged but not required.
When can I pick up my Student ID?
Student IDs are available for pick up Sunday, August 16 from 9am-3pm in the Housing and Residential Experience Center (HREC) in East Hall. We encourage you to pick up your ID on the first day however HREC is open Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm throughout the week. Keep in mind, you may need your ID to access the dining hall and certain student resource spaces on campus.
Where should I park?
Registration for parking passes takes place in early/ mid August and are distributed in early September. Commuter students should complete the parking pass purchase prior to the start of NSO so they are able to park on campus during NSO and until class pick up.
What should I bring to campus?
Wear comfy clothes that allow you to move around. There are various programs across campus where human travel is required. Laptops are not required. A writing utensil and notebook of your choice are helpful.
Note that some of the programming takes place outside. Check the weather before you leave for NSO that day!
Transfer Student Transition Experience
Monday, August 17
Transfer Students are encouraged to attend all New Student Orientation Programming as it is listed above. Below, you will see some highlighted programs that take place on Monday, August 17 that might be of particular interest as you begin your WPI journey as a Transfer Student!
Schedule anticipated May 2026.