Traditionally occurring one to three days prior to Welcome Week, new students are encouraged to participate in a Pre-Welcome program. Organized by interests and communities, programs offer students the opportunity to meet and connect to fellow new students in small groups. From outdoor adventure to on-campus acclimation, there are programs for all interests! For questions, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
Pre-Welcome Highlights
- Familiarize yourself with campus and resources that will support your transition to Syracuse University.
- Build community with other incoming students and student leaders.
- Develop skills that will help you succeed during your first year on campus.
Registration
See below for all Pre-Welcome program offerings for Fall 2026. First-year and transfer students participating in a Pre-Welcome program will move in on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, or sooner, depending on the program (see below for specific move-in dates).
Please note that due to scheduling conflicts, first-year and transfer students can only participate in one Pre-Welcome program.
The Christian Student Welcome Pre-Welcome program, hosted by Christian Outreach, is designed for students who want to start college with new friends and peer mentors to support you in your goals to love God, serve others and share Christ. Although this program is meant to explore college experiences for Christian students, it is open to all students regardless of religion or other characteristics.
The cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program is $150. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Developing community with other Christians on campus at Syracuse University.
- Preparing spiritually for the fall semester.
- Building mentor and friend relationships with returning student leaders.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy of Hendricks Chapel. For questions or accommodations, please email Sophie Perez, assistant Christian chaplain, or call 956.205.2400.
The Connections Pre-Welcome program is designed for incoming first-year and transfer students of color. Although this program is meant to support the needs of students of color, it is open to all students regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity or other characteristics.
There is no cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Connecting and building community with other students.
- Touring spaces on campus that represent mutual understanding, community building and support on campus.
- Becoming familiar with important campus resources to support you during your time at Syracuse University.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by New Student Programs. For questions or accommodations, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
The ‘Cuse First Pre-Welcome program is designed for incoming first-year and transfer students that identify as the first in their family to attend college or their parent(s), supporter(s) or legal guardian(s) did not receive a college degree.
Please note that the first-generation college student (‘first-gen’) definition can be complex. Regardless of first-generation college student status or other characteristics, incoming first-year and transfer students are welcome to register if they are interested in the program.
There is no cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Exploring the first-generation college student identity.
- Connecting with other first-generation college students.
- Learning about important campus resources and attending events that will support your transition to campus life.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by New Student Programs. For questions or accommodations, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
The Leadership Outdoor Orientation Program (LOOP): Adirondack Adventure is designed to give incoming first-year students a jump-start on their college experience while engaging in outdoor adventure activities including low and high element challenge course, white water rafting, hiking, flat-water kayaking and canoeing, as well as campfires and starry night hikes. This program provides an opportunity to move-in early and go off-campus to the serene setting of the Oswegatchie Educational Center, located within the majestic Adirondack Park region of New York.
Due to the dates of the program, LOOP: Adirondack Adventure participants will move into their residence hall assignment on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 (program starts at 4:30 p.m. that evening).
The cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program is $265. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Spend 3 days at Oswegatchie Education Center engaging in a variety of programs and getting to know 45 other incoming freshmen!
- Take on the high ropes course, hike to a beautiful waterfall, paddle on a pristine Adirondack Lake, and more!
- Spend the last day of the program white water rafting on the Black River in Watertown, NY.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by Barnes Center at The Arch – Recreation. For questions or accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, assistant director for outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.
The Leadership Outdoor Orientation Program (LOOP): Odyssey Adventure program provides new first-year and transfer students a high adventure introduction to Syracuse University. Students will move in early and “learn the ropes” of campus life as they are guided through their first week on campus.
Due to the dates of the program, LOOP: Odyssey Adventure participants will move into their residence hall assignment on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 (program starts at 4:30 p.m. that evening).
The cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program is $125. Highlights of this program include the following.
- 2 full days on our Odyssey High Ropes Course!
- Duel Zipline with stunning views of Syracuse.
- Early access to explore all areas of campus.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by Barnes Center at The Arch – Recreation. For questions or accommodations, please email Ryan Szuch, outdoor recreation manager, or call 315.443.1130.
The Muslim Student Life Welcome allows Muslim students to meet new people, receive peer advice, find campus resources and explore their new campus and city, all before starting their first day of class. Although this program is meant to support the needs of Muslim students, it is open to all students regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity or other characteristics.
There is no cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Meeting fellow Muslim students and campus leaders in a welcoming environment.
- Gaining insights from upper-division students about academics, balancing Deen and Dunya and navigating campus.
- Discovering key campus resources and student groups (such as the Muslim Student Association), local halal restaurants, prayer spaces and masjids in the area.
- Learning about maintain spiritual well-being, balancing faith and academics and accessing chaplaincy services.
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by Muslim Student Life at Syracuse University. For questions or accommodations, please email Amir Duric, chaplain and executive director, or call 856.266.8625.
Syracuse Hillel FreshFest is a three day program focusing on community building and welcoming students to campus. We do a variety of events including student and family breakfast in the JMA Wireless Dome, a trip to Apex Entertainment in the Destiny USA mall and Green Lakes State Park. Although this program is meant to support the needs of Jewish students, it is open to all students regardless of religion or other characteristics.
The cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program is $365. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Participating in small groups and tours aimed at building connections.
- Being paired with a student mentor who can answer questions and be a guide to life at Syracuse University.
- Enjoying a welcome breakfast in the JMA Wireless Dome for students and their families and supporters.
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by Syracuse Hillel. For questions or accommodations, please email Jared Stern, assistant director, or call 561.843.4326.
Join your fellow classmates on a multi-day paddling and portage trek through the Adirondack Mountains! This trip is highly focused on leadership development through experiential education. The days will consist of paddling 5-13 miles, portaging canoes ½-2 miles, setting up camp, camp chores, partaking in intrapersonal and interpersonal development activities, group development activities, daily reflection and journaling, and much more. You will leave with a strong community and new outdoor skills ready to start school.
This trip requires active participation and engagement by all participants in all activities, and the expectation is that all will contribute to the overall daily tasks and activities.
You do not have to have any prior outdoor experience. However, enthusiasm and interest in spending time living outside are a must!
Due to the dates of the program, WILD participants will move into their residence hall assignment on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 (program will begin at 5 p.m. that evening).
The cost to participate in this Pre-Welcome program is $265. Highlights of this program include the following.
- Spend 4 days, 3 nights in the largest state park in the country – the majestic Adirondacks!
- Spend time getting to connect with peers in a setting free from distractions.
- Dive into leadership and engage in self reflection as you prepare for your new adventure at Syracuse.
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (ET)
This program is sponsored by Barnes Center at The Arch – Recreation. For questions or accommodations, please email Julie DeLeo, assistant director for outdoor education, or call 315.443.5011.