New Student Orientation
Welcome to the Thurgood Marshall College family! We at the college are all beyond excited to welcome our newest scholars and their families to our community.
We will be hosting our 2026 orientation program as a one day in-person program at UCSD with asynchronous assignments through CANVAS.
New Student Orientation is a mandatory program designed to support students in their transition to UC San Diego and Marshall College. During orientation, students will:
- Learn about the many resources and opportunities that are available at UC San Diego and Marshall College.
- Gain insight into the Marshall College philosophy and academic mission.
- Meet new and current students, as well as staff and faculty.
- Discover how to be an engaged scholar and citizen in the Marshall College Community.
Orientation Programs
First-Year Orientation
This program is MANDATORY for incoming students. Please click on the link for more information on registration and program details.
Transfer Orientation
This program is MANDATORY for incoming students. Please click on the link for more information on registration and program details.
Parent and Family Webinar
This webinar is OPTIONAL for parents and family members. Please click on the link for more information on registration and program details.
FAQs
I need to change my orientation date. What should I do?
Please email tmcorientation@ucsd.edu to request to change your orientation date and we will share next steps.
I cannot attend New Student Orientation. What should I do?
Please email tmcorientation@ucsd.edu as soon as possible. As New Student Orientation is a mandatory program, a hold will be placed on your student account after the fall enrollment period at the end of August.
How do I pay for New Student Orientation?
As a self-supporting program, the Orientation fee covers expenses for materials, publications, mailings, meals, staffing, as well as Welcome Week activities. The Orientation program fee of $260 will be charged to each student's account and will appear alongside registration fees on the fall quarter student billing statement. Please do not send a check to pay for the Student Orientation Program.
What is the orientation hold?
College Orientation is a mandatory program. All students will have an Orientation hold placed on their account until they complete their Orientation registration.
What will students do after they move-in if they are not attending orientation?
Marshall College has a variety of programs designed for new students to attend during Welcome Week. More information about programs for New Students will be available in September.
I’m an international student. Which orientation is best for me to attend?
We will be offering orientation sessions during different dates to try and accommodate travel to UC San Diego. Please email tmcorientation@ucsd.edu with any additional questions.
Will there be interpreters for any of the orientation sessions?
Students can request ASL or other accommodations from the Office for Students with Disabilities. Additionally, students should indicate accessibility accommodations through Orientation Registration. Unfortunately, Marshall College cannot provide language interpreters (e.g., Spanish, Chinese) for students or families during the programs. While some orientation leaders are fluent in languages other than English, the program is in English.
Can I apply for a fee waiver?
The Undergraduate Colleges have a need-based fee waiver program available for incoming students who attend orientation. This waiver will cover the mandatory cost associated with your specific college’s program and is not applicable to any other expenses. All applications will be reviewed and recipients will be determined by financial need, in consultation with UC San Diego’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. The fee waiver information and application form will be emailed to your UCSD email in late July. The waiver application can be completed after registering for Orientation.*
*Please note submission of this form does not guarantee you will receive the fee waiver. Your request will be approved or denied based on the information you provide and the availability of funds.
Current and Incoming Students
We understand that many students who attended orientation previously may feel unprepared for returning to campus in the Fall. You know more than you think! There will be plenty of opportunities to help you transition back to campus! Triton Weeks of Welcome (TWOW) programs and events are designed to reintegrate students to UC San Diego campus. For more information, follow the link below.
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Programs
Contact Us
Email: tmcorientation@ucsd.edu
Phone: (858) 534-4110