Frequently Asked Questions

Orientation is required for newly admitted freshman and transfer students before course registration. It is still required if you already know which classes you want.

Continuing or readmitted students, transient students, second-bachelor’s students, graduate students, and students enrolled in fully online UTEP programs do not attend in-person undergraduate New Student Orientation.

Register after you are officially admitted. Sessions fill quickly, so select an available date as early as possible.

• Choose Register Now on the Freshman or Transfer Orientation Dates page.
• Call the Orientation Office at (915) 747-6752.

Orientation is free. A request is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email. All orientation emails are sent to the email address listed on your UTEP application. If you used a school district email that you can no longer access, contact the Orientation Office at (915) 747-6752 or orientation@utep.edu so the team can update your email address and resend your messages.

You may call the Orientation Office at (915) 747-6752 or email orientation@utep.edu to request a new date. Changes depend on available space and are not confirmed until you receive an updated confirmation email.

Your orientation emails will include the arrival time and location for your session. Parking information will be emailed to you one day before orientation.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking between buildings. Bring a photo ID, your UTEP Student ID number, and a payment method for campus purchases. Students attending Summer Freshman Student Orientation should bring a charged laptop. If you do not have one, a limited number of computers will be available. Students attending other orientation sessions may bring a laptop if they prefer.

A meal is provided only to students on Friday during Summer Freshman Student Orientation. Food is not provided on Saturday; coffee and water will be available for parents and family members attending Parent and Family Orientation. Students attending Spring Freshman Orientation, Transfer Orientation, or another orientation session will need to purchase lunch on campus.

Contact the Orientation Office before your session at (915) 747-6752 or orientation@utep.edu and describe the accommodation you need. Our team will review your request and discuss the support options available. Some requests may require additional coordination, and not every requested accommodation can be guaranteed.

• Spring admits: The main orientation day generally runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attend the main orientation day and reserve Day 2. You only need to attend Day 2 if your advising appointment is scheduled that day.
• Summer/Fall admits: Orientation is a two-day program, and both days are required. Friday includes advising and college programming; Saturday includes course registration and financial aid information.

Times and schedules may vary. Review your confirmation and reminder emails for your assigned arrival time, location, and complete schedule.

Spring students: Meet with an advisor during their scheduled appointment and register for classes after advising. The appointment may be scheduled on the main orientation day or Day 2.

Summer/Fall students: Meet with an advisor on Friday and register for classes on Saturday.

Bring unofficial transcripts or AP, IB, CLEP, SAT, ACT, or TSI score reports if they are not yet visible in your UTEP record. You may also bring a copy of your meningitis vaccination record if it has not been processed.

Miner Gold Card distribution at Summer Freshman Student Orientation is limited to students who enrolled in at least one UTEP course before orientation through an Operation College Bound event held at an El Paso-area high school during the spring. To receive the card at orientation, eligible students must upload their photo through the GET Mobile app and have it approved before orientation.

No. AP, IB, dual credit, and an associate degree earned while you were in high school do not change you from a freshman to a transfer student. After UTEP receives and evaluates your official records, eligible credit may apply toward your degree. Bring unofficial transcripts or score reports for your advisor to review if the credit is not yet visible in your UTEP record.

Transfer Orientation is required before course registration. All students should reserve both days. Day 1 is required, and you only need to attend Day 2 if your advising appointment is scheduled that day. Follow the schedule in your confirmation email.

Your advising assignment depends on your major and transferred credit hours. You will register after completing your assigned advising appointment.

Send your transcripts as early as possible so they can be reviewed before orientation. If they are still missing, bring copies with you so the team can try to review and process the information before your advising appointment. Copies brought to orientation do not replace any official transcripts required by UTEP. Receiving your records early helps prevent advising and course-registration issues.

No. Attend the orientation that matches your admitted student type. Freshman and transfer students work with different advising teams, and attending the wrong program may prevent you from receiving advising or registering.

It is offered on Saturday during Summer Freshman Orientation. Parents and family members attend Saturday rather than the student’s full two-day program. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost.

Programming is available in English and Spanish. Children may attend with their family.

Families learn about campus resources, financial aid, safety, and supporting student success. A campus tour is included, but participating in the tour is optional. Academic advisors meet directly with students. For family support, email familyservices@utep.edu.

Accelerated ECHS: Students who have already earned an associate degree and begin attending UTEP while still enrolled in high school follow the Accelerated ECHS orientation process. Students who complete Accelerated ECHS Orientation do not repeat Freshman Orientation.

Traditional ECHS and dual-credit students: Students who begin UTEP after high school graduation should register for Freshman Student Orientation, even if they earned an associate degree or other college credit while in high school. They may also contact the ECHS Academic Success Center at earlycollegesuccess@utep.edu to ask about College Ready Student Orientation.

• International students: Attend Freshman or Transfer Orientation based on admission type and also complete International Student Orientation. Review the International Student Orientation information and visit the Office of International Programs for additional guidance.
• Fully online students: Do not attend in-person New Student Orientation. Complete the UTEP Online New Student Orientation and follow UTEP Connect's onboarding requirements.
• Graduate students: Do not attend undergraduate New Student Orientation. Follow the orientation instructions from your graduate program or department.
• Readmitted or returning UTEP students: Do not need to attend New Student Orientation.
• Exchange or visiting students: Follow the orientation instructions from your assigned international or sponsoring program.
• Military-affiliated students: Attend the orientation required for your student type unless you receive an approved orientation waiver. Contact the Military Student Success Center at mssc@utep.edu or (915) 747-5342 for guidance.
• Student-athletes: Attend the orientation required for your student type in addition to any athletics programming.

Your orientation hold will be removed before you attend your course registration session.

After registration, view your schedule in UTEP GO or MyUTEP. Follow your advisor’s guidance before adding or dropping courses.