July 2026
Welcome to Dickinson!
There will be a lot for you to do in the upcoming weeks to prepare for your arrival on campus. Watch for weekly emails listing three things for you to do or know for that week. Those action items will also be posted here for reference.
QUESTIONS?
Reach out to orientation@dickinson.edu anytime if you have questions.
July At A Glance
July is when everything starts to come together. Advising sessions begin, course requests open and you’ll take important steps to prepare for life on campus.
Here's What's Happening Now
- Preview the tentative Orientation schedule and start planning your first week on campus. Final schedules will be shared upon arrival.
- Celebrate with your fellow Dickinsonians at Summer Send-offs around the country!
- New Student Advising sessions run July 13–20, helping you explore academic interests and plan for fall courses.
- Enter your course requests beginning July 15 at 9 a.m. through SSB in Gateway. All requests are due by July 22 at 4 p.m.
- Complete the START Learning Program modules by Aug. 1. These online programs promote safety, respect and community well-being.
- Learn about move-in resources, including your housing assignment timeline, move-in date (Aug. 26 for most first-year students) and driving instructions.
- Dining Services is hiring. First year students that wish to work on campus must work for Dining Services. Check out this video to learn more!
- Explore the people, programs, and experiences that make Dickinson unique! Watch for information about Spotlight Sessions, opening July 22.
Sneak Peek Ahead
- Housing assignments and roommates will be available in early August.
- Schedule Adjustment Period opens Aug. 12.
- Textbook ordering opens through the online bookstore portal.
- Move-in Day is on Wednesday, Aug. 26! (Pre-O move-in is Sunday, Aug. 23.)
Three Things for July 8
Things to Do
Preview the Tentative Orientation Schedule. Start planning your first week on campus with a sneak peek at the daily schedules. Note that some dates and times are subject to change, and you will receive a final schedule when you arrive on campus.
Make Arrangements for Health Insurance. All students are required to have health insurance. International students will be auto enrolled in the college-sponsored health insurance plan. Domestic students may enroll in the college-sponsored health insurance plan or waive this plan by providing proof of coverage. Learn more about the student health insurance and if you are eligible to waive this plan.
Complete a Transition to College Survey. Psychology professors at Dickinson and several other schools are conducting a study on the transition to college. This brief survey will ask multiple-choice questions about your friendships, your hopes for college, and your well-being. Participants will have the option to enter a raffle to win one of 15 gift cards worth $25 each.
Things to Know
You can plan your tuition payments. Dickinson offers an interest-free monthly tuition installment plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce. This plan allows you to spread out your fall semester out-of-pocket balance over five months (June to October) and spring semester out-of-pocket balance over five months (November to March) for an enrollment fee of $50 per semester. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Student Accounts Office stuaccts@dickinson.edu or dial 1-717-245-1953.
New Student Advising is NEXT WEEK! Our New Student Advising team will be hosting sessions from the Advising & Student Success Office July 13-20 to discuss your course requests—and how your emerging authentic interests fit with those courses for the fall. Please review the information on our website to prepare. NOTE: If you have not yet submitted your final transcript, please check you email from July 6 for instructions to ensure we have your transcript prior to New Student Advising.
We’ve partnered with myMicroFridge to provide convenient MicroFridge© rentals for students. Each unit combines a microwave, refrigerator and freezer and is delivered directly to your room before move-in and picked up after move-out. We recommend placing your order before August 1 to ensure availability for the fall semester.
Three Things for July 15
Things to Do
Complete your new student advising session. Our New Student Advising team is hosting sessions from the Advising & Student Success Office July 13-20 to discuss your course requests—and how your emerging authentic interests fit with those courses for the fall.
Enter your course requests. The First-Year Course Request Period opens at 9 a.m. on July 15. Please review the instructions and enter your course requests via SSB in Gateway for Fall 2026. Important: If you do not enter your requests by 4 p.m. on July 22, you will not be able to select classes until the First-Year Schedule Adjustment Period, which runs from Aug. 12 – Aug. 31.
Complete the START Module. Incoming students are required to complete the START Program Course prior to the start of their first semester. The START Program is an online series with modules aimed at reducing campus sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking, harassment and respect, and empowering bystanders to intervene. All four modules must be completed by August 1.
Things to Know
Move-in resources. Residence Life & Housing uses the information you provided to us in your roommate preference form to house you appropriately for your class year. We will share your housing assignment and roommate information by the first week in August. Move-in for most first-year students will be Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 8 to 11 a.m. Prepare with these driving instructions and check out Ship My Room, which has move-in and move-out options available.
We’ve got bikes! Dickinson has had its free daily Red Bike Share program for local transportation since 2007! The Handlebar, Dickinson’s free bicycle cooperative, has served the campus community since 2011.
There are 40+ eateries in downtown Carlisle, representing a diverse array of cuisines and cultures: Jamaican, French, English pub, Asian noodle, Belgian, Japanese, U.S. Southern-style BBQ, Caribbean, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, American, Egyptian, Indian, Filipino American, Vietnamese and two chocolatiers!
Three Things for July 29
Things to Do
Complete the Fitness Center Online Orientation. This must be completed in order to use the fitness center. Note that you will need your Dickinson ID number, which is available in Gateway.
Do you have a disability or condition that might impact your Access or Accommodation Needs for Dickinson Orientation? Complete the form so we can have accessible options available for you.
Shop for All Your Red Devil Gear! Dickinson Outfitters, our campus store, will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, for Pre-Orientation move-in! During Orientation week, store hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the online store before you arrive, and plan to visit the store in the lower level of the Holland Union Building (HUB) when you get to campus!
Things to Know
Each incoming student is paired with a New Student Guide—an experienced student who will serve as your orientation leader and a mentor throughout your first year. Your New Student Guide will be in touch this week and will host weekly sessions to help you prepare for your arrival on campus at the end of August. These sessions are a great opportunity to connect with other incoming students and get your questions answered.
Dickinson’s Free xChange provides a safe, equitable and accessible space for the exchange of clothing, accessories, textbooks, personal care, reusable bags, household items and food to every Dickinsonian.
New Student Guide Tip: “Don’t force the first friend group. It’s more important that you allow yourself to continue to grow and change throughout your time here, which may involve growing closer/further from people.” —Tyler ’28