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 spring will receive an email in late November with information about the online Narwhal Transitions course on Canvas. This non-graded course will introduce you to resources and policies and provide tips to help you during your first year at The New School. The course will open on December 2. Be sure to complete the entire course before the start of the spring semester.

On Wednesday, December 10, at 3:30 p.m. ET, new students will have the opportunity to engage in conversations with various offices across the university. This talk will take place over Zoom and will be recorded and added to the Canvas course for those who cannot 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 on January 20. Registration for Orientation opens on December 2, 2025.

During Orientation, you'll attend information sessions and participate in activities designed to prepare you for life at The New School. Some sessions will be general, intended for all students, and some will be specific to your college or program.

Download the Narwhal Compass app on Apple, Android, or Google devices. Just search for “Narwhal Compass” in the App Store.

If your parents and family members are also planning to attend sessions, they will need to 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 Welcome Week events 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