New Student Orientation

Studies show if you attend orientation programs and other first-year programs like College 101, you will have greater success while in college. College is an investment of time and money—you want to get the most you can out of the college experience and orientation will help you do that.

• Orientation sessions are designed to provide you with valuable information while giving you an opportunity to connect with staff, faculty, and other new and current students.  
• You will learn important information about financial aid, academic advising, student rights and responsibilities, campus resources, how to be a successful student, ways to get involved on campus, and more.
• Our academic advisors will work with you to design your first-semester schedule.
• This will be an opportunity for you to ask general questions and receive important information about CCD.

Yes, orientation attendance will be required before course registration for all new first-time students. You have the option to attend orientation if you are not a first-time college student, but you are new to CCD and the Auraria Campus.

If you have proof of a completed bachelor's degree, are a summer-semester-only student completing a few courses, or have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from attending an orientation session, please read and download the Orientation Deferral Waiver Request. Once completed, you may turn the form in to our office or email CCD.Orientation@ccd.edu. Please note: our office will notify you if this request is denied.

Orientation is mandatory for all F1 students. Please register now! Refer to your final acceptance letter for details on the location/date/time of the mandatory International Orientation. Only one International Orientation is offered per semester, so please be sure to register for and attend the correct session. Please contact International@ccd.edu.

Orientations fill to capacity very quickly; we encourage you to give yourself plenty of extra time to find our campus, park and walk to the orientation location.

Exemptions from orientation are provided under certain limited circumstances. Please review the exemption requirements, and then contact the orientation department directly to inquire about an exemption. Students exempt from orientation must still complete an online orientation session prior to meeting with an advisor. If you already have a four-year degree, you are also eligible to and encouraged to complete the online orientation alternative.

If you have a proof of completed bachelor's degree, are a summer-semester-only student completing a few courses, or have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from attending an orientation session, please read and download the Orientation Deferral Waiver Request. Once complete, you may turn the form into our office or email CCD.Orientation@ccd.edu. Please note: our office will notify you if this request is denied.

No, orientation is free.

Yes, in order to have enough materials for everyone, we need for you to sign up in advance. You may sign up online: My Orientation Reservation.

Yes, guests are welcome to attend orientation with you. Please let us know if you are bringing one or two guests for food and seating purposes. Guests are not permitted to enter the course registration labs to protect the privacy of other students.

Yes.

• Bring your student ID number.
• Bring a picture ID.  
• Bring forms of payment if you plan on paying your bill or purchasing any items, such as a student ID, books, clothing, etc.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the walking tour of the campus.  
• And, of course, bring your questions!

Individual students should each be registered, but we strongly encourage the sponsor to contact Andrew Garcia, the director of Admissions, Recruitment & Outreach.

View Google Maps to get directions to the 7th Street Garage. You can also refer to the Auraria Campus Map.

Please park in the 7th Street Garage, located on 7th & Lawrence Way, Denver, CO. Please ask for a parking validation upon arrival.

• via Auraria Parkway: #1, #10, #20
• via Larimer Street/Tivoli Turnaround: #2, #12, #15
• via Colfax (south campus): #16, #30, #31, #16L, #29L, #30L, #36L
• via Light Rail: Colfax at Auraria, Auraria West Campus

At orientation, you'll have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor and declare your major. Prepare for your advising session ahead of time by taking the SuperStrong interest assessment and find educational and career pathways that fit your unique interests. For each pathway, we link your interests to careers, salaries, job outlooks and identify the skills and education level you'll need to meet your goals. 

Take this 10-minute survey to begin planning the next steps of your journey. This assessment tool will help you explore your academic path by aligning your strengths and interests with CCD's programs of study, allowing you to personalize your studies and choose a major that truly matches your interests.

SuperStrong is an exploratory tool used to increase your knowledge of life's possibilities and the pathways to achieve them.