Immerse into Gallaudet
Gallaudet Orientation isn’t just a week of events, it’s your launchpad. Designed for deaf, hard of hearing, and signing students, our orientation programs jumpstart your college journey with immersive experiences that build community, spark confidence, and connect you with everything Gallaudet has to offer—before classes even begin.
This is where your Gallaudet story starts. Ready? Let’s go.
Student Orientation
For new undergraduate students, both first-time freshmen and transfer students
The Student Orientation (SO) program at Gallaudet is designed to provide incoming first-year and transfer students with the information, resources, and support they need to make a smooth transition into university life.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Create your portal account
Every potential Gallaudet student receives access to a private portal once they start their application. This portal allows you to track your application’s progress, see what materials you still need to submit, engage with personalized content tailored to your interests, and eventually, receive your admission decision and financial aid information.
Start here.
JumpStart: ASL
For new undergraduate students who are new or emerging signers
Get a Jump Start on the immersive American Sign Language (ASL) and English experience you’ll encounter at Gallaudet before the start of your first semester. This three-week program is packed with Deaf Culture and ASL to get you and your peers comfortable and confident as new signers.
Family Orientation
For families/ guardians of new undergraduate students
Gallaudet University’s Family Orientation Program (FOP) offers a welcome for families and guardians of incoming undergraduate students, providing an overview of key campus resources and support services. Families will meet faculty and staff, get answers to common questions, and connect with one another as they prepare to support their student’s transition to college life.
Graduate Student Orientation
For incoming graduate students
Graduate Student Orientation at Gallaudet helps new on-campus graduate students connect to university life and their colleagues through program-specific orientation sessions, workshops to acclimate them to campus resources available to them, and vibrant and enjoyable activities like the Bison Walk, Personal Discovery team-building activities, or a Gallaudet Trivia Night.
Graduate Languaculture Immersion Program
For new graduate students who are new or emerging signers
The Graduate Languaculture Immersion Program (GLIP) at Gallaudet is a two-week experience held in August before fall classes start that provides an immersive bilingual environment where graduate students, both current and new, can build on or develop their knowledge of American Sign Language, Deaf culture(s), and social etiquette.
International Student Orientation
For new international students
International Student Orientation (ISO) takes place a few days before Student Orientation and helps new international students from varying academic programs settle in and start strong. Through engaging workshops on SEVIS, employment options, immigration rules, and cross-cultural life at Gallaudet, students get the information they need to study in the United States – plus a warm welcome into our vibrant campus community.
Disability PreOrientation
For new students with disabilities
The Disability Services Center (DSC), in collaboration with faculty and staff, provides qualified students with disabilities, accommodations and services so as to enable a barrier free experience. At pre-orientation for New Student Orientation (NSO), students will meet DSC staff, become oriented to the campus environment, technology supports, and accessibility elements that will support their disabilities. It is our goal that the DSC pre-orientation session will provide context on how to obtain support and be able to navigate college with the right accommodations.
ELI Student Orientation
For new English Language Institute (ELI) students
The ELI Student Orientation program at Gallaudet runs concurrently with Student Orientation, and is designed to provide incoming students with the information, resources, and support they need to make a smooth transition into university life.
New Student Checklist
This resource outlines essential tasks, important deadlines, and helpful tips to ensure you’re well-prepared for your academic journey.
