New Student Orientation for Summer Admits

New Student Orientation (NSO) for students admitted to the summer 2026 term will take place on Sunday, June 28, Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30. Classes for the summer II session begin on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.  

All students admitted to summer at University Park should plan to arrive to campus and move into their assigned residence halls on Sunday, June 28. NSO will begin in the late afternoon to allow time for you to unpack and get settled in your room. This schedule for NSO for summer admits means that you will complete your NSO requirement immediately before the summer session begins and you will not have to travel to NSO, home again, and then return to campus.

We will offer programming for parents and families on Sunday, June 28 and Monday, June 29. We encourage families to participate in our in-person New Student Orientation program; each student can bring a maximum of two guests with them to NSO. Students will be able to add their guests to their NSO reservation. Please keep in mind that NSO is not designed for young children, and families will need to secure overnight accommodations off campus.

We look forward to seeing you on campus soon! 

Overview of NSO for Summer Admits

NSO Programming for Students

Students will participate in required programming on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Classes begin on Wednesday. Sessions are required, and attendance will be taken. All students admitted to summer will be able to preview their personalized schedule in their NSO Tasklist about two weeks in advance.

NSO Programming for Families

NSO sessions are required for students and optional, but encouraged, for families. Families will have the opportunity to attend From Home to Happy Valley: Supporting Your Student’s Transition to College, the Support Showcase, and the College Connection.

Families attending NSO with their students should plan to attend the From Home to Happy Valley: Supporting Your Student’s Transition to College, which is offered twice for your convenience. Both sessions are the same and are being delivered twice to provide you with options. Registration is required; please use this link to secure your spot in one of the sessions.

  • Sunday, June 28, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium
  • Monday, June 29, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium 

From Home to Happy Valley: Supporting Your Student’s Transition to College provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect during the transition to college life and how families can best support their students. This session is for families only, and new students will not attend this session.

In addition to this session, families are invited to join their student at the Support Showcase and the College Connection, both taking place on Monday. Families will follow the Monday morning schedule provided to their student, as it is customized to their NSO experience.  

All families are asked to say their goodbyes and depart campus by 4:00 p.m. on Monday. After that time, all programming is for new students only.

Housing and Dining at NSO

Students living on campus for summer II

Students living on campus for the summer II term will move into their assigned room on Sunday, June 28. This is where you will stay for the duration of the summer semester, including NSO. Your meal plan will be active starting on Sunday, June 28. There is no additional charge for your NSO visit. You will receive information about your room assignment and when to move in in June.

Students commuting to campus for summer II

Students who do not have a housing contract for the summer II term will be responsible for their own housing and meals for NSO. You will be expected to travel to and from campus for all NSO activities and are responsible for your own parking.

What to Bring to NSO

Please be sure to bring the following:  

  • All of the materials, supplies, clothes, etc. that you will need for the summer semester
  • A valid driver’s license, passport, state-issued photo or military ID, or Permanent Resident Card
  • A cell phone or other device used to access your Penn State id+ mobile credential
  • Your Penn State Account user ID and password  
  • A reusable water bottle (filling stations are available across campus)  
  • Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers  
  • An umbrella  
  • A debit/credit card if you anticipate needing to spend money. All University Park campus operations are cash-less.  
  • If able, a donation for the Class of 2030 Gives project

The Class of 2030 Gives 

We invite you to start your Penn State experience by helping your fellow students. Please bring a non-perishable food or toiletry item for the Penn State Lion’s Pantry. This can be one of your first acts of service at Penn State. Donations from NSO will help stock the Pantry for students experiencing food insecurity for almost a full year. We will have a location for your donations during NSO Check-In. 

Arriving to and Parking on Campus for NSO

Students living on campus for summer II

Please follow arrival and parking instructions provided to you from Housing and Residence Life. You can find the most up-to-date information online at arrival.psu.edu.

You will schedule your move-in time in eLiving after summer room assignments are posted. Once your room assignment is posted, you can use this link to schedule your move-in in the eLiving system.    

You should move into your summer housing before checking in for NSO; please plan to check in for NSO within two hours of your arrival to campus. More details about NSO Check-In can be found below. 

Students commuting to campus for summer II

On Sunday, June 28, students without a housing contract may park in the Stadium West lot at no charge. On Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30, students who are commuting to campus must have a student parking permit activated for their car and follow all parking regulations. 

Check-In for NSO

NSO Check-In will be open on Sunday, June 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Findlay Commons. If you’re living on campus for summer II, you should move into your summer housing before checking in for NSO; please plan to check in for NSO within two hours of your arrival to campus. If you’re commuting to campus for summer II, please arrive directly for NSO within the timeframe listed above. NSO Check-In is required. 

NSO Check-In is for students only.  

In order to check in for NSO, you must activate your Penn State mobile id+ Card. Instructions for this can be found on your NSO Tasklist. Please complete this task as soon as possible and no later than one week before the start of your NSO program.