August Pre-Orientation Programs
Pre-Orientation programs are an opportunity to arrive on campus a few days early, meet other new students with similar interests and participate in engaging service and/or community-building programs before orientation officially begins.
There are community-specific Pre-Orientations for International students (International Student Welcome Days), the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (MKTYP) and the Student Support Services Program (SSSP), so members of those communities do not need to apply to the programs listed below.
Optional Pre-Orientation Programs
If you are not a member of the above communities, you may apply to participate in an optional Pre-Orientation program. Please note that space is limited. You can view the descriptions of these programs below.
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Were you involved in community service in high school? Are you hoping to grow as a leader? Do you want to engage in the Brandeis and Waltham communities? Join other actively engaged peers in discovering how service can become part of your identity at Brandeis, while gaining the tools you need to become a leader in your new community.
Participants will actively engage in community service, discover and reflect on the diverse populations, perspectives, and roles that exist in the Waltham and greater Boston communities; develop leadership skills; and become part of a community committed to personal growth through service and reflection.
Students will explore the city of Waltham through the lens of community engagement, social justice, and local activism, while building relationships with prominent student leaders, faculty members, and community partners who are actively engaged in this work. Participants will leave the program with the connections, skills, and knowledge to jump into service at Brandeis and have a positive impact on their new community.
Queer Academics and Activism (QAA) will offer first-year students a thought-provoking examination of the many dimensions of queer lives and experiences in the United States: the history of struggles around LGBTQIA+ rights, the development of queer activism, the intersections of queerness with questions of race, class, gender, and other vectors of oppression, and how scholars have theorized these realities.
Students will have the opportunity to learn from renowned faculty members in the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Brandeis as well as to hear about queer life and resources on campus. Through lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and seminar-style discussions, students will be introduced to an intersectional approach to queer theory and queer studies, and the relationship between queer studies and queer activism. In the process, students will learn about opportunities to contribute to queer community progress and forge memorable, lasting friendships in a safe space for personal growth through a well-rounded understanding of their place in history.
Starting college is exciting, but it is also a big transition full of new experiences and challenges! RISE is a Pre-Orientation program for students who would benefit from learning skills to help them thrive in college, supporting their mental wellbeing and academic success.
This program is designed for students who would like some extra support in navigating the transition to college, especially those who have previously experienced mental health challenges like depression and/or anxiety. We will focus on skills for coping with and bouncing back from stress, and strategies for preventing stress by using effective time management and goal-setting. We will also work on strategies to navigate the social side of college life, and connect with resources throughout the university.
Students will work on these skills with faculty and clinicians from the counseling center. Learning is primarily experiential with discussions and hands-on opportunities to practice skills. Friday evening we’ll have fun, relaxing activities on campus including crafts and games. On Saturday evening, we’ll be exploring your new home of Waltham on foot, with a stop for ice cream.
Unique to this program, students can also choose to enroll in a Health, Wellness and Life Skills course (HWL 67) to continue practicing these skills and learning new skills throughout the semester. More information and an opportunity to indicate your interest in this course is included in the application.
How to Apply
Please click on the program you are interested in applying for and complete the application by Wednesday, June 22, 2022. As a reminder, space is limited. Applications will be reviewed and students will be notified of results by Friday, July 1, 2022.
Fee Information
Optional Pre-Orientation programs have a $175.00 participation fee. Financial assistance is available. If you would like to be considered for assistance, please contact the Department of Orientation at orientation@brandeis.edu.
