New Students

It is important to complete all of the necessary tasks prior to arrival on campus.

• If you are entering The New School in the fall semester, please see the Fall Entry Checklist page for information about your arrival.
• If you are entering in the spring semester, please see the Spring Entry Checklist page for information.

New students entering in the fall will receive an email in late June providing information about the online Narwhal Transitions course on Canvas. This non-graded course introduces resources and policies and offers tips designed to help you during your first year at The New School. New course content is released biweekly between June 21 and August 2. Be sure to complete the course before the start of the fall semester.

Every other Wednesday from June 24 to August 5, 2026, new students will have the opportunity to engage in conversations with staff from various offices across the university. These talks will take place on Zoom at 3:30 p.m. EST on June 24, July 8, July 22, and August 5. They will be recorded and added to the Canvas course for those who could not attend.

All new undergraduate students are required to live on campus unless they have an exemption. Information on signing up for a move-in appointment will be emailed after assignments have been made. 

Have questions about move-in? Send an email to [email protected].

All new students are expected to participate in Orientation, which takes place August 17–21, 2026.

Registration for Orientation opens on July 1, 2026.

During Orientation, you’ll attend information sessions and take part in walking tours and other activities designed to prepare you for life at The New School. Some sessions will be general, intended for all students; some will be specific to your college or program.

Download the Narwhal Compass app on Apple, Android, or Google devices. Search for Narwhal Compass in the App Store.

If your parents and family members plan to attend sessions, they must register on the Family Orientation page.

After Orientation, check out Narwhals Discover: The First Fifty Days, a series of events and activities curated by the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement! This series includes events during Welcome Week and beyond. The more you stay connected in your first 50 days at The New School, the more successful you'll be.

Need help? Email [email protected].

Explore all of the events in Narwhal Discover.