New Student Orientation

Event lasts two (2) hours

• Welcome & Orientation Leader introductions
• Admissions and Registration Holds
• Academic Advising
• CougarWeb Tutorial
• Dean of Students and student services
• Ability to connect with current Collin College students, faculty, and staff

For more questions about new student orientation, please email orientation@bigconceptdesigns.com.

Is Orientation mandatory?
All First Time in College (FTIC) students at Collin College are required to complete New Student Orientation in person or complete the Online Orientation before registering for classes. 

 

How much does the New Student Orientation session cost?
It is FREE! Students sign-up to attend a New Student Orientation session through our Eventbrite website.

 

How long is Online Orientation and the in person New Student Orientation session?
Students completing the Online Orientation are able to complete this on their own schedule, but are required to complete the entire session to receive credit. It takes about 30-45 minutes. The Online Orientation can be done as your schedule permits, but must be fully completed to have the hold removed. 

Each in person New Student Orientation session lasts two (2) hours. Students are expected to attend the entire session to have the registration hold removed. 

 

Where will the in person New Student Orientation sessions be held?
The in-person New Student Orientation sessions will be held on-campus in the conference centers on four campuses (Frisco Campus, McKinney Campus, Plano Campus, and Wylie Campus) and on campus at the Celina, Farmersville, and Technical campuses. Go to the New Student Orientation directions page for the specific directions for each campus. 

 

What if I am unable to attend the in person New Student Orientation session?
Collin College offers an Online Orientation to have students Mandatory Orientation hold removed in CougarWeb (our student platform: http://cougarweb.bigconceptdesigns.com). After students complete the Online Orientation and the remaining registration holds are removed, they can register for courses online.  The in person New Student Orientation sessions are an additional opportunity to help students. You can find sign-up information on the Eventbrite Website.

 

Can I attend an in person New Student Orientation session at a different campus than where I am planning on taking classes?
Yes, you can attend an in person New Student Orientation on any of the campuses, when scheduled. The information is the same.

What topics will be covered during the in person New Student Orientation session?
We will have presentations such as a Collin College and Registration overview, Academic Advising, and CougarWeb and course registration tutorial,  Dean of Students Presentation, and student services, and an ability to meet with current students, faculty, and staff.

Will I be meeting with an academic advisor and registering for classes during in person New Student Orientation?
Yes.  At the end of each in person New Student Orientation session, any students who have all registration holds removed can receive some help registering for courses.

Are the Admissions, Financial Aid, or Academic Advising offices open during a in-person New Student Orientation session?
All of the offices are available before or after in person New Student Orientation (except for weekend events and some evening sessions). The in-person New Student Orientation session is not a come-and-go event.

Can I drop off my meningitis vaccination records or transcripts at the in person New Student Orientation session?
You can drop off these documents to the Admissions Office before or after the in-person New Student Orientation session when their offices are open. You can also submit your vaccination records through Med+Proctor.

Will I get my student ID at the in person New Student Orientation session?
Student ID Cards are available to students at the Office of Student Engagement after registering for courses and allowing at least 24 hours after enrolling in courses to have their ID Card made. Students who are primarily taking courses online can request their Student ID online through Collin College’s Student Involvement Platform, Cougar Connect (http://collin.campuslabs.com/engage/) . Students will need to log in using their Collin College login information and complete the "Online Student ID Form” that can be found in the forms tab. Once a student has met all of the requirements, the ID will be mailed directly to the student.

Will there be food served at in person New Student Orientation?
Food will not be provided during the sessions.

What do I need to bring to the in person New Student Orientation?
Bring your event ticket for the in person New Student Orientation session, information to complete any remaining registration holds, and a willingness to learn about all that Collin College has to offer and learn about course registration.

Can my parents/guest attend the in person New Student Orientation session?
Parents and guests over 18 years old may attend an in person New Student Orientation session, but do not need to register for the event. They will sit separately from the student throughout the event and will be admitted into the session, if space allows. Collin College offers a Parent & Family Online Orientation . We also have a Parent & Family Online Orientation in Spanish.

Can children attend the in person New Student Orientation session?
It is against Collin College policy for students, parents, or guests to bring children under the age of 18 to new student orientation or to class. The exception is if the child under 18 is registering for courses at Collin College in the next term.

Will I be able to take the Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) Assessment during the in person New Student Orientation session?
No.  Students can complete the TSI assessment before attending the in person New Student Orientation session. The test may last up to five (5) hours.  Completing the TSI, or having approved exemptions prior to attending the Registration Days session. Prior to taking the TSI, students must complete a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA).  
Click here to take the Pre-Assessment Activity.  You can also schedule to take the TSI test.

Will I meet with faculty members during the in person New Student Orientation session?
There will be an opportunity to connect with faculty the in person New Student Orientation sessions and  the extended orientation, C.A.T. Camp events.

 

Will I meet with campus resources or student organizations during the in person New Student Orientation session?
There will not be a campus resource fair during in person New Student Orientation sessions. There will be an opportunity to connect with campus resources during the extended orientation, C.A.T. Camp events.

 

Where do I park for the in person New Student Orientation sessions and what will it cost?
Parking at Collin College is FREE. We encourage attendees of in person New Student Orientation sessions to park as close to the Conference Center as possible (just follow the signs on campus).  Go to Directions for the specific directions for each campus. 
After you register for courses (and waiting 24-hours), you can obtain your Student ID Card and FREE parking permit at the Office of Student Engagement on the Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and Wylie campuses.  Students at the Celina, Technical (Allen), and Farmersville campuses should visit the Student Enrollment Services one-stop shop to obtain their Student ID Card and FREE parking permit. 

After I have completed orientation and registered for courses, are there any other events that can help prepare me for the semester?
Once you have completed Orientation, take the next step to prepare you for your educational journey at Collin College with C.A.T. Camp (Cougars Achieve Together).
This FREE, interactive session will provide new students with some in-depth resources, tips, and tricks from current students, connections to campus, and help you feel a part of the Collin College Community. This event is for new students at Collin College who have already completed orientation and registered for courses!

When is C.A.T. Camp?  
C.A.T. Camp will occur in August prior to the fall semester.  Registration for all C.A.T. Camp events will begin on July 1.

How much does C.A.T. Camp cost?
It is FREE! Students sign-up to attend a C.A.T. Camp event, after completing the Online Orientation and registering courses, through our Eventbrite website.

 

Will there be food served at C.A.T. Camp?
Food will be provided during the event.

 

Can my parents/guests/children attend C.A.T. Camp?
Due to space restrictions, we are unable to accommodate parents, children, or guests during C.A.T. Camp. Collin College offers a Parent & Family Online Orientation by clicking Parent & Family Orientation link. We also have a Parent & Family Online Orientation in Spanish.
It is against Collin College policy for students, parents, or guests to bring children under the age of 18 to new student orientation or to class. The exception is if the child under 18 is registering for courses at Collin College in the next term.