Welcome to the #EagleFamily!
The new student orientations are designed to prepare you for your first year at EWU. Our goal is to set you up for a successful and rewarding college experience. Below are a few of steps to get you on your way!
New Student Orientation
2025 New Student Orientation Dates
To sign up, log in using the email and password you used to apply to EWU and view your admission decision.
*= Spanish Sessions Available, Overnight Options Available
Have questions or need help registering?
Contact Orientation & Family Programs at 509.359.6843 or orientation@ewu.edu.
The Overnight Experience
Curious what it’s like to live on campus as an Eagle? Sign up for the July 25 or August 1 Orientation and spend the night in one of our residence halls before hand! We are excited to partner with Campus Recreation- your home for activities, sports, and creating lasting memories at EWU- for these events. Don’t miss out!
Tentative Overnight Schedule (the day before your Orientation date):
- 2 PM: Advising Appointments
- 3-5 PM: Check in with Housing at Halls
- 5 PM: Dinner
- 6- 8 PM: Entertainment and Activities hosted by EPIC Adventures and Intramural Sports
Orientation Schedule at a Glance
Campus tours are optional and don’t require a reservation. Check in early (between 7:30 – 8 a.m.) and see campus before our program begins!
Check In is where you’ll receive your personalized Orientation folder and name tag. Inside your folder will be plenty of resources, your Financial Aid information, and your assignment for your advising appointment that afternoon!
Play some EWU trivia, hear from President McMahan, and learn about what to expect for your Orientation day.
Receive and review your Financial Aid package, learn how to pay your tuition, and understand how to set up a payment plan.
Learn what it’s like living on campus and understand next steps to take regarding Housing placements and move in!
During this time, you’ll meet with your Academic College to learn more about your intended major. The four Colleges at EWU are:
- College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- College of Health Science and Public Health
- College of Professional Programs
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Not sure what to study? Check out the Program Explorer to see all of EWU’s majors.
Families and guests are encouraged to join us for this informative and engaging session led by campus experts and current EWU parents. Walk away with a better understanding of how to best support your student!
Lunch is covered for all incoming students. Guests are invited to join us for $10/person. We encourage payment before hand, but you can pay the morning of Orientation, as well!
The Resource Fair is an opportunity for you to explore a variety of organizations and resources available to you at EWU! Meet current students, learn how to get involved on campus, and walk away with tons of freebies!
Every student* registered for an Orientation will also be registered for an Advising appointment that afternoon.This means you’ll walk away with your Fall classes that day! Advising appointment times will be provided the morning of your Orientation.
*=there are some special populations, such as transfer students, where this does not apply. Email orientation@ewu.edu with questions.
Join us for a variety of Breakout Sessions, including:
- Student Panel
- Tours/Housing Tours
- Campus Life
- Career Services
- Transfer 101
- PLUS and Library Services
A more specific schedule of times and locations will be provided at Orientation.
Orientation Schedule
| Time: | Event/Presentation: |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Optional Campus Tours Start at Showalter Lawn |
| 8 a.m. | Check In Begins at Showalter Lawn |
| 9 a.m. | Orientation Welcome in Showalter Auditorium |
| 9:30 a.m. | Financial Aid and Bursar's Office Presentation in Showalter Auditorium |
| 10 a.m. | Housing and Residential Life Office Presentation in Showalter Auditorium |
| 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 11 a.m. | Academic College Presentations for Students and Student Safety and Success Presentation for Families |
| 12 p.m. | Optional Campus BBQ and Resource Fair (student meals on us, guest meals are $10/person) |
| 1:30 p.m. | Breakout Session #1 OR Advising Sessions (assigned times) |
| 2:30 p.m. | Breakout Session #2 OR Advising Sessions (assigned times) |
| 3:30 p.m. | Breakout Session #3 OR Advising Sessions (assigned times) |
Orientation FAQ's
Once you officially confirm with Admissions that you’re attending EWU in the Fall, then you will get an email from us regarding signing up for your Orientation. Don’t see the email? Let us know at orientation@ewu.edu and we can help you out!
You can also register using the buttons above!
Yes! The sign-up form will allow you to change your date. Just log back in and edit your submission.
Ideally, yes! Unless you are a transfer student, Running Start student, or are missing important documentation, students will have an assigned Advising session on their Orientation date. The goal is that students will walk away with their Fall schedule.
Absolutely! Each student is permitted 2 guests to join them. This number is based on the maximum capacities of the rooms we’ll be using.
The schedule is essentially the same for all four Orientation dates. July 25 and August 1 do have a Spanish breakout sessions** available, however. If you or your loved one would prefer to learn more about EWU in Spanish, we would encourage you to attend one of these dates.
**Please note that the entire Orientation program will not be translated in Spanish. There will be dedicated sessions on these dates where Spanish will be the primary language spoken.
New Students: If you’re interested in spending the night on campus the night before your Orientation, make sure you chose the “with overnight component” option when you register for your date. The overnight option is only available for July 25 and July 1 Orientations and is only available to incoming EWU students.
For Families: Looking for some accommodations for you and/or your family? Check out some local hotels below!
Great question! The menu will be a Grilled Cheeseburger/ Vegetarian Sandwich on a roll with condiments. Fruit, salad, cookies, and drinks will also be provided. Incoming students eat free- lunch tickets for guests can be purchased on the Orientation portal or the new student dashboard!
Here’s a list of things we recommend you bring for your overnight Orientation experience:
- Sleeping bag/bedding
- Pillow
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Portable fan
- Anything else you might need to make you feel comfortable
Exploring your Academics is Important! Here’s a list of what’s under each College:
We will have a variety of free lots for you to utilize on the day of your Orientation!
We ask this question in the Orientation registration form. Please make sure to explain the requested needs and our team will follow up with you closer to the event!
There’s a lot to know as you begin your journey as an Eagle! Here are some FAQs to help guide you through the process.
Have a question? Text us!
Our Orientation team is here to help you thrive! Feel free to text our line with whatever questions you might have- Orientation related or not.
(509) 359-9711
*texts may take up to 24 hours to respond; weekends vary
Transferring into EWU?
There can be a lot to keep track of. Check out the transfer website to learn more about transferring credits, registering for classes, and more!
Why Students Choose Eastern
Hear from real students about their EWU experience and why they decided to become an Eagle!
Access the full EWU video library below:
Reach Out for Assistance
The orientation team is available to connect if you would like to discuss any aspect of your transition to EWU. We’re also a great resource if you’d like to ask any general questions.
Send us an email at orientation@ewu.edu and let us know:
- Full Name
- EWU Username
- Phone number
- Brief overview explaining the nature of your requested meeting.
Once you have emailed us, our team will reach out as soon as possible.
Questions? Please contact us at orientation@ewu.edu or 509.359.6843.