New student orientation

Resources, Fees, FAQs

Program Fees

First-Year and Transfer Students: $165 per student
This fee is billed as a one-time first-year programs fee on your student account in your first semester.

Parent/Family Member(s): June FOCUS $85 per person*
Paid when registering for FOCUS, this fee applies to anyone who accompanies a student to FOCUS. The last day for a parent/family member fee refund for June FOCUS is June 1, August FOCUS is July 31, and January FOCUS is December 20.

Fees help cover:

  • Orientation Meals
  • Orientation Facilities Use
  • Academic Placement
  • Your Orientation Materials and Resources
  • The extra current students, staff, and faculty that provide support for you at FOCUS
  • Student Activities during and beyond Orientation
  • Welcome Week and other activities unique to your first year
  • The extra current students, staff, and faculty that provide support throughout your first year

*This fee has not been raised for 10 years through the generosity of many in order to keep costs as low as possible for family members.

FOCUS Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to have my parents attend FOCUS?
No. FOCUS is designed to provide the most important information both students and family members need at the beginning of your transition to Valpo. FOCUS is required for new students; Parents/guardians of first-year students are advised to attend but are not required to attend. If Parents/guardians or other guests wish to attend FOCUS, they must be registered participants. You can add a parent/guardian to your FOCUS registration by emailing their name and any dietary restrictions to us at first.year@valpo.edu. We will add them to your registration and email you the payment link for the parent/family member fee.

If my family only wants to come to part of FOCUS, do they need to pay the full amount to attend?
Yes. The full fee is charged per guest whether they choose to be here for part or all of FOCUS.

Can my boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend attend FOCUS with me?
No, unless they are also enrolling at Valpo and have pre-registered themselves for the same FOCUS session. FOCUS is about meeting new friends. There is time during other days to spend time with people you already know. Space is limited to new students and immediate family/guardian(s) only.

What should I bring to FOCUS?
For a list of things to bring to FOCUS, please see your section on this page.

Do students and parents have meetings together?
Students and parents have two separate schedules throughout FOCUS because they have different FOCUS goals. You will spend most of the FOCUS day apart.

Do I need to set up an appointment with an academic advisor before orientation?
No. For students, meeting with an academic advisor and registering for classes are part of the FOCUS program. We have arranged this meeting between students and advisors.

What if I am undecided regarding a major?
Then you’re exploratory! It’s great to explore a variety of academic areas to determine what best fits you. You will meet with an exploratory advisor who can help you select classes that fulfill graduation requirements and explore a variety of interest areas. You should plan to take GS 150 – Exploratory Studies during which you’ll learn about your own skills, abilities, interests, and values and which academic areas may be a best fit.

Will my parent be with me when I schedule classes?
No, but you will have an advisor to lead you through the process. Family members are not in attendance during academic advising and registration because they have their own work to do within their own FOCUS schedule. The FOCUS academic advisors are specially trained to work with a variety of students to help you select an appropriate course schedule. Our academic advisors are the people who understand the nuances of scheduling that cannot be found in course catalog lists so they are the best people with whom to work to build the appropriate schedule. Every class that is available for registration at FOCUS gets you closer to graduation.

What if I change my mind on a major during the summer?
If you change your mind on a plan of study after FOCUS, or AP credit comes in, then you can change your schedule online during July or August. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with your advisor again any time after FOCUS sessions are complete and can make schedule changes through the first week of classes, the drop/add period, if needed.

When do I complete my housing preferences and learn my housing information?
For June FOCUS Participants: All FOCUS participants get to learn more about Residential Life during sessions at FOCUS. Then, students will complete your housing preferences at the end of your FOCUS session. Residential Life will do assignments by mid-July and send them to your Valpo email.

For August FOCUS Participants: Residential Life will email August FOCUS participants for their housing preferences during the month of June so you can get your housing assignment by mid-July via your Valpo email. If you sign up for August FOCUS after June, Residential Life will email you as soon as they are able in order to collect your housing preferences and assign housing.

More details about residence halls and residential life are on their website. If you have specific questions about housing, email reslife@valpo.edu.

When do I move in?
New undergraduate students move in on Saturday, August 19, 2023 by appointment. Watch your email for more details from Residential Life, including exact move-in time, closer to the date. Move-in Day is also the kick-off to Welcome Week, the second part of Valpo’s orientation for new students. Athletes, check with your coaches directly regarding your move-in date, time and location if your sport is in-season during August.

What is my address for shipping books/supplies?
Student Mail Services in Harre Union will assign unit numbers for all new residential students by early August. Students will be able to view your mail unit number by logging into DataVU (datavu.valpo.edu) – Students Menu – My Profile. The shipping address format is on the Mail Services website.

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FOCUS Home Register for FOCUS Placement Assessments FOCUS Schedules What to Bring, Meals & Other Needs Welcome Week Academic Calendar