Summer Orientation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I sign up for New Student Orientation?

All accepted undergraduate students must first pay the Enrollment-Orientation deposit (see second question below). About 72 hours after the deposits have been received, you can sign up for New Student Orientation on the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu. You will need your Hofstra username (h7xxxxxxx) and password to access your account. Having issues accessing your account? Contact the ITS Service Desk at 516-463-7777 or HELP@Hofstra.edu.

How much does New Student Orientation cost?

The fee is $300. The Orientation fee goes toward this program, Welcome Week, and programming for incoming students that takes place during the fall semester.

How do I get confirmation about my Orientation session?

Confirmations are sent to your Hofstra email within three business days. Please make sure that you read your confirmation email carefully, as the date you are assigned may be different that one that you originally requested. You can access your Hofstra email through the portal (my.hofstra.edu) by clicking on the icon marked Gmail.

Do commuting students stay on campus for New Student Orientation?

All students, regardless of whether they will be living on campus or commuting in the fall, are required to stay on campus for New Student Orientation. Our programming starts early in the morning and continues into the evening both days. We have found that the connections students make by staying on campus enhance their orientation experience.

I signed up for the Week 8 session (August 25-27, 2025), when do I arrive or move into my on-campus room?

The Week 8 (August 25-27, 2025) session is set aside for domestic undergraduates who live and must travel more than 300 miles from campus and for international undergraduate students. If you are living on campus for the fall semester, you will need to arrive on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and move into your on-campus residence hall between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Note that we cannot provide housing for family members or for students attending this session who do not fit into the above categories.

What do I need to bring with me to New Student Orientation?

New Student Orientation is a three-day, two-night program where all students stay overnight on campus and get their first glimpse of life at Hofstra.

Please refer to this checklist as you prepare to pack for New Student Orientation. Feel free to contact us at orientation@hofstra.edu or 516-463-4874 with any questions or concerns.

How do I get to Hofstra’s campus?

Getting Here By Driving

Please refer to driving directions listed here - https://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/directions.html Note that you will be checking into the Netherlands Residence Hall Complex, located at Hempstead Turnpike and Oak Street.

Getting Here By Rail Road

From New York City: The Long Island Railroad provides regular commuter service from Pennsylvania Station in New York City and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, New York, to the Hempstead and Mineola stations. Pennsylvania Station is located at 34th Street and 8th Avenue, below Madison Square Garden. The Hempstead and Mineola stations are serviced by Hofstra's campus shuttle. If taking the train on the Hempstead branch, exit at the final stop "Hempstead." Mineola station is a stop on the schedules of the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma branches. Taxi cabs are available at both stations.

View complete Long Island Rail Road information and schedules

Getting Here By Plane

Nearby airports include John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and MacArthur Airport. A NYC Yellow Cab ride to and from the airports can be costly. Fares are subject to double once the taxi leaves the NYC limits.

If taking a taxi, please ensure it is a licensed yellow taxi from the taxi stand. Please do not accept rides from any individual claiming to be a taxi or cab service elsewhere. Ride share services such as Lyft and Uber are also available at the airports.

Where and when do I check in for New Student Orientation?

All students will report to the Netherlands Residence Hall complex, located on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Oak Street. Check-in begins at 8:45 a.m.

*Please note that week 2 of NSO takes place on Monday, June 16 to Wednesday June 18, 2025. Students attending this session will check in on Monday, June 16, at 8:45 a.m. at the Netherlands Residence Hall complex.

Where can I get a schedule of events for my Orientation session?

You will get a detailed schedule for the three-day/two-night Orientation program at check-in. To prepare, here are some highlights from each day.

Tuesday

Check-in
Floor meetings
Welcome
Campus tour
Academic and informational sessions

Wednesday

Academic and informational sessions continued
How to Hofstra
Small group academic advising sessions and class registration
That’s So Hofstra

Thursday

Individual advising appointments
Other required appointments
Turn in keys, check out

What do I need to get my Hofstra ID?

The Hofstra Card has gone digital! Set up HofPass on your mobile device before attending New Student Orientation. Find full steps and device requirements here. Download the "Atrium Campus Connect" app from your app store on your mobile device and upload your photo for your Hofstra ID. For further instructions and necessary steps to upload your photo click here. Download and enroll in DUO, click here for instructions.

What are placement assessments?

Depending on your major, you may need to complete an online placement assessment in math and/or foreign language prior to Orientation. Students pursuing majors that require calculus will be required to take the math assessment. If your degree includes a language requirement you will be set up for a foreign language assessment. This assessment will be set up based on the language you studied in high school. You would identify this information when you sign up for Orientation. These results are used to determine your placement level for classes. Assessments must be taken online at least one week prior to attending Orientation. You will receive an email to your Hofstra Pride account with instructions on how to access the assessments.

Do I need to take the placement assessments if I have Advanced Placement (AP) credits or college level credits?

We advise students to take any required assessments to establish a benchmark, even if you are anticipating transfer credits. Scores from these exams will give your advising dean the best understanding of your proficiency in both subjects. You should also bring all scores and other information from AP or college-level courses to your academic advising appointment during New Student Orientation. This will allow your advising dean to assess your proficiency and suggest courses for the next semester.

When do I plan my class schedule?

All students attend a curriculum overview to learn about degree requirements on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, students receive information about the registration process, academic expectations, and deadlines. Course registration begins on Wednesday.

You may have registered a preference in advance for a first-year seminar and/or cluster for your specific first-semester academic program. At Orientation you will meet with an advising dean or faculty advisor to discuss your curriculum options. It is at this point that you will complete your schedule by adding courses. If you have not selected a preference for a specific first-semester seminar and/or cluster, these may be available to you during Orientation. Your advising dean or faculty advisor will review your curriculum options and placement in math and foreign language classes based on your assessment scores.

Can my parents come to Orientation?

Yes. There is a separate Orientation program for parents and family members that runs concurrently with and separately from New Student Orientation.

These one-day sessions take place on the Tuesday of the student’s confirmed date of Orientation. (Note that during the second week of NSO in 2025, the session falls on a Monday as the NSO session takes place Monday - Wednesday.).

When students sign up for New Student Orientation, they will have an opportunity to sign up parent/family members for Parent and Family Orientation. Please visit hofstra.edu/fo for a schedule and details about Parent and Family Orientation. Parents and families do not stay on campus during the Orientation program. Some parents and family members who travel from far away stay at nearby hotels for the duration of the three-day program so that they can take their students back with them on the last day.

Here is a list of nearby hotels.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my Orientation date?

To reschedule your Orientation session, log in to the Hofstra portal (my.hofstra.edu) and send an email from your Hofstra email address to orientation@hofstra.edu and indicate your full name, your Hofstra ID number (70xxxxxxx), and your new date choices. We will make every attempt to accommodate your request.

Will I have a full range of course options if I attend a later New Student Orientation session?

Courses are available throughout the summer, and the University reviews the course offerings to ensure that we meet the needs of our students. Students are strongly encouraged to pre-register a preference for the First-Year Connections program. This program serves as a cornerstone for your academic schedule.

For more information regarding First-Year Connections, visit hofstra.edu/connections or contact the Center for University Advising at 516-463-7222 or 516-463-6770.

When does New Student Orientation end?

Orientation is completed Thursday afternoon after each student registers for classes and completes several components before and after their advising appointments. Registration appointments start as early as 9 a.m. and continue in 30-minute intervals until 4 p.m. Students will receive information on the Wednesday of their Orientation session about Thursday appointment time(s).

Typically, students are finished about an hour and a half after their advisement appointment time.

All students MUST check out at the Netherlands Residence Complex by turning in their keys, access card, and borrowed linens before departure.

Note that during week 2 of NSO (June 16-18, 2025), students will check out on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 after their last appointments.

What medical records does the University require?

Students should upload immunization records to Hofstra.Medicatconnect.com before the first day of classes. Students should make sure to both upload a complete record and enter the dates accurately. In addition, you should make sure that you have answered the meningitis vaccine question, even if you have received the vaccine. Students who do not comply with this New York state law are not permitted to attend classes at the University. Call Student Health Services at 516-463-6745 with any questions.

What type of computer should I purchase for the fall?

Please see the Educational and Research Technology Services recommendations here.