New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation
We’re so excited that you’ve decided to become a Blue Hen at the University of Delaware! To ease your transition to UD, we require that all new students participate in New Student Orientation (NSO), an experience designed to introduce you and your family to the UD community, help you learn everything you need to know to be successful and welcome you to UD!
Your NSO Experience Includes:
Live Orientation Program
As part of your New Student Orientation (NSO) experience, you and your family are invited to attend a virtual NSO program on Tuesday, February 2, to learn about your Blue Hen community.
The live virtual NSO program features a welcome from UD administrators plus opportunities to learn more about academic life, campus involvement, wellbeing and family engagement. You will meet other new students and our Orientation Leaders (OLs), become familiar with campus and ask questions before classes begin.
First-year and transfer students can register for NSO through their My Blue Hen Home portal.
Flex Pathway students transitioning to Newark can email otp@udel.edu to register for NSO.
Virtual Orientation Program
The virtual program will take place via Zoom. Students and registered family members will receive the Zoom webinar link at the email addresses provided on the program registration form.
Students, plan to log into your UD Zoom account with your UD credentials. We recommend you review the UD Zoom Student Guide in advance to learn how to connect to Zoom.
There is no guest fee or limit for family members or guests attending the virtual program.
Virtual NSO is a three-hour program. It begins with a welcome from UD administrators and a session about academic success and expectations, which students and families attend together.
Students then attend a session led by Orientation Leaders (OLs). They begin to connect with other new Blue Hens and learn the ins and outs of being a UD student.
While students meet with the OLs, families learn about campus involvement, wellbeing, safety and family engagement from UD staff and administrators, in addition to hearing from student leaders about their experiences as Blue Hens.
Because students and families will attend separate sessions for part of the virtual program, you should use different devices to participate. Students should use a laptop or desktop computer, if possible, as OL-led sessions are interactive.
New Student Orientation Fee
Each new student is billed a mandatory, one-time $260* fee for the NSO experience, regardless of participation. The fee also includes the math placement program and new student programming in the fall semester. This fee will appear on your first semester bill.
*Current rates are for the 2026–2027 academic year. Rates are subject to change, will be announced each summer and accurately reflected on student bills.
Academic Advising Appointment
One of the major components of NSO is academic advising. You will meet virtually through Zoom with an advisor in your college to discuss your courses for the upcoming semester.
Advising appointments last 15–60 minutes, depending on your major, and you should plan to sign on with a laptop or desktop computer.
Schedule Your Appointment
You will receive an email to your UD email with instructions for scheduling.
Questions about your college or major? Visit Advising Central for your college's contact information.
Meet Your College
In addition to academic advising, your college offers a live, virtual Meet Your College session. Registration for this session is within the NSO portal on your My Blue Hen Home.
From your college's academic advisors, you and other incoming students will learn about your college, general degree requirements, how advising works and what to expect at your advising appointment.
Virtual Webinar Recordings
Explore supplemental webinar recordings to help you prepare for a successful transition to the University of Delaware. These virtual sessions covered topics such as finances, dining, housing, academics and campus involvement.
Course Materials 101: youtube.com/watch?v=XLpVtroudGU
Course Materials 101
Originally presented Thursday, July 23, 2026
Hosted by the UD Bookstore, this session covered everything you need to know about course materials and how to prepare for the 2026 fall semester.