You are here

Welcome Otis Owls

During Orientation Week, you will be able to join Orientation Sessions, review the self-guided Online Orientation Course, meet your Peer Mentors/TISOs, connect with other new Owls, and get acquainted to life as an Otis College student. We look forward to meeting you!

1. Sign up for your Orientation Sessions that will be taking place throughout the week. Click HERE to register for your Orientation session.

Making the transition to college can be exciting, eye-opening, and perhaps a bit overwhelming at times. Through our Orientation Sessions, we will provide you with important information and tools to help you become the most successful Otis Owl that you can be. Through these sessions, you will be learn about strategies and resources you can utilize to strive academically, creatively, and personally during your time at Otis College. Lastly, you will have the chance to ask any questions you have and connect with Student Leaders, other Otis College students, and members of our community. 

2. Review the self-guided Orientation Course through the Otis College learning management system,The Nest. 

The online orientation course is created to help you learn about all the resources that you can access as an Otis Owl. Through this course, you will be able to navigate through informational modules that serve as essential introductions to the Otis College student experience. 

All new students will be able to access the Online Orientation Course by January 9th. Your orientation course can be accessed by logging on to your Otis College student dashboard (my.otis.edu), and clicking on the nest icon on the right side of the page, below "Events".

See O-Week schedule below.

  • Wednesday, January 11th | New Student Housing Move-In (Residential Students Only)

    New Student Housing Move-In

    New students who have confirmed on-campus housing will go through a check-in process with Residence Life and Housing at their assigned move-in time. Additionally, all new students living in housing are required to attend the Housing Orientation.

    All times are in PST.

    Time Session Location
    1:00 pm - 5:00 pm New Student Housing Move-In Commons
    5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Housing Orientation (Dinner Provided) Forum
  • Thursday, January 12th | International Student Orientation, Writing Placement Assessment & Virtual Late Registration

    Writing Placement Assessment 

    All students who have not completed their Writing Placement Assessment (WPA) will have the opportunity to take it prior to New Student Orientation. If you are unsure if you need to complete the WPA, please email admissions at admissionsmc@otis.edu. See below for schedule.

    All times are in PST.

    Time Session Location
    8:30 am - 9:00 am  Check-In | Writing Placement Assessment Admissions
    9:00 am - 10:30 am Writing Placement Assessment Library

     

    International Student Orientation

    The college is excited to welcome all newly admitted International students! The virtual International Student Orientation Session is your chance to learn about all that Otis College has to offer you. You’ll receive valuable information to ease your transition to campus and life in the U.S., as well as federal requirements to maintain your student visa status. You will also have the opportunity to engage with your Team International Student Outreach (TISO) mentors. 

    All newly admitted International students are required to attend. Register on Slate HERE (registration will go live December 16).

    All times are in PST.  

    Time Session Location
    10:00am - 10:30 am International Student Orientation Check-In Outside of Galef
    10:30 am - 11:00 am  Welcome and Meet your TISOs/Peer Mentors Forum
    11:00 am - 11:30 am  Academic Integrity Forum
    11:30 am - 12:00 pm Maintaing your VISA Status Forum
    12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch with TISOs/Peer Mentors Forum

    Register for this event along with the main New Student Orientation session.

    Virtual Late Registration

    Students that have not yet registered for classes will be advised online via Zoom. The One Stop will also be available to help students who have not yet cleared any holds. The Admissions Office will be in contact with students who have still not registered via email with more details.

     

    All times are in PST.

     

    Time Session Location
    1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Virtual Late Registration Zoom

     
  • Friday, January 13th | New Student Orientation (Foundation, Foundation Transfer, Upper Division Transfer, and Graduate)

    The college is excited to welcome all newly admitted students (Foundation, Foundation Transfer, Upper Division Transfer, and Graduate)! Students will gain a basic understanding of the college, academic curriculum, and learn about different campus resources. There will be an opportunity for students to meet their Orientation Leaders and speak with various staff and faculty representing different resources at the college.

    All newly admitted students are required to attend. Register on slate HERE (link will go live on December 16).

    All times are in PST.  

    Time Session Location
    9:00 am - 9:30 am Check-In

    Outside of Galef
    9:30 am - 9:40 am  Welcome Forum
    9:40 am - 10:00 am Overview of Orientation (Meet the O-Leaders) Forum
    10:00 am - 10:30 am

    Breakout 1: Academic Expectations (Foundation, Foundation Transfer, Upper Division Transfer Students)

    Breakout 2: MFA Session (Graduate Students)

    Forum

    Galef
    10:30 am - 10:45 am Break  
    10:45 am - 11:15 am Becoming an Informed Owl Forum
    11:15 am - 11:45 am Tech Essentials: Academic Tools for the Classroom Forum
    11:45 am - 12:45 pm Lunch Forum

    12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

    Owl About Campus Resources

    		 Forum
    2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Title IX Forum
    3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Campus Resources Fair Commons
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How do I get access to a student ID as a new student?

    1. Read and sign the OneCard Agreement form. 
    2. Once you have completed the agreement, you will be directed with instructions and link on how to upload your ID Photo. 
    3. Once the photo ID is approved, you will receive an email. When you receive that email, you can go to the Campus Safety and Security office to get your ID printed.
      1. Make sure to have a photo ID and your student ID (XID) number ready. 
      2. If you are an on-campus housing student, you will receive your student ID upon move-in

     

    For more information on OneCards, click here.