Orientation
YES! During Orientation you will be divided up into small groups. All group meetings are required. This is our chance to show students the ropes to college life and provide them with multitudes of resources to help them succeed at Lehigh, both in and out of the classroom. Students will meet faculty, upper-class student leaders, an academic advisor and learn about resources available while making new friends!
Yes! This is where you will get helpful information and meet other transfer students. You will not be able to register for future semesters if you don’t attend!
New first-year students move-in on Thursday, August 19, 2021*. Room assignments and arrival information will be emailed through your Lehigh email in mid-July.
*Date subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Check out the What to Bring to Lehigh page for a complete list of things you might need to bring with you on Move-In Day.
Arrive early on move-in day so you can set up your room and explore campus before Orientation sessions begin at 2:15pm*. (2:00pm for commuters)
*Dates & Times are subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Academics
You will register for courses in July. Throughout the month of June important updates and information regarding the registration process will be posted on your student portal and will also be sent to your Lehigh University email address. It is very important that you monitor your email regularly, as we continuously send additional information to prepare you for registration. Keep an eye out for emails about when and how to register, videos reviewing how to utilize the registration system, and advice from your college advisors.
Your first year at Lehigh you will be required to take some introductory level courses that most upper-class students have already taken, so you are not competing with them during your course request process. Courses that you are required to take during your first year (e.g. Engineering 1) will be scheduled so that all students needing those courses will get into a section.
Classes will begin Monday, August 23, 2021. Check out the academic calendar.
Every textbook for every course can be found at your campus bookstore, a branch of Barnes & Noble. They have the largest selection of used textbooks on campus, and convenient shelf tags throughout the store tell you exactly which textbooks are required for each course and list additional textbooks recommended by the course instructor. And their generous return policy offers cash back on unwanted textbooks year-round—no matter where you bought them. They accept all major credit cards, as well as personal checks, college or government financial aid program vouchers, school debit cards, and Barnes & Noble gift cards. If you prefer to reserve your textbooks online, visit lehigh.bncollege.com.
Technology
The network and software are generally compatible with both PCs and Macs. However, there are a few instances where Engineering students will need a PC or to use public sites in order to use the necessary software.
If you are in the market for a new computer check out this website with purchase information.
Pre-Orientation Programs
Lehigh offers pre-orientation programs, known as preLUsion, which start a few days prior to Orientation. These programs are designed to be fun and to help your transition to Lehigh by introducing you to staff and fellow new students. PreLUsion is a great way to meet other new students with similar interests that want to make the most out of their college experience!
No, you don't. Students participating in a PreLUsion program will move in to their residence hall on Monday, August 16, 2021*. We will have a Family Orientation Program on Monday so you don't have to make the trip back to Lehigh on Thursday.
*Family Orientation format is subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Family Information
Thursday afternoon is packed with information for family members regarding their student's transition to Lehigh. After the University Luncheon, we will have sessions on your student's development in college, academic and social resources, legal issues in college and more! The day will end with the President's Address and reception. Please review the family schedule on our website in the summer for updates. You will receive a complete schedule when you check-in for Orientation August 19, 2021.*
*Family Orientation format/events are subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Parents and families will have a chance to meet with University staff and faculty during Orientation to help your transition to Lehigh. Your son or daughter will be calling you when they have questions so our Orientation program provides you with answers to both your questions and your students. The Family Orientation Program will address topics such as legal issues, alcohol on campus, residence life and roommate issues, campus safety and student development through college.
We encourage family members to stay through the Family Orientation program on Thursday, August 19 and then depart for home since the students have a very busy schedule for the next few days. We have scheduled a time for students and family members to meet at the student's residence hall and say goodbye on Thursday.*
*Family Orientation format/events are subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Yes! We have a Family Orientation scheduled for Monday, August 16 for those families who are dropping their student off early for Prelusion. The information is the same as Thursday’s family sessions.
*Family Orientation format/events are subject to change due to COVID-19. Updates will be provided as we have more information.
Housing
Lehigh assigns rooms based on desired housing and programmatic preferences. A random process will be utilized for all deposited students to determine your housing assignment along with others who have made similar selections. To accommodate all students, halls are pre-designated by gender based on enrollment. Once your residence hall is assigned, you are matched with a roommate using the information you provide through My College Roommate. If you request a student and he or she requests you, you will automatically be placed together.
You are matched with a roommate using the information you provide through My College Roommate. If you request a student and he or she requests you, you will automatically be placed together.
Room assignments and arrival information will be emailed through your Lehigh email in mid-July.
You can re-enter the housing contract and update your housing information. You can continue to search and add or change roommates through My College Roommate until the deadline. Assignments are processed in June; therefore, the application must be complete by the deadline in order for it to be considered.
For more Housing FAQ's visit Housing Services website.
Miscellaneous
You will submit your ID card photo on the campus portal in the summer. You will get your ID card when you check-in on Move-In Day. If you did not complete the application in advance you will need to go to the ID card office on 42 University Drive when you arrive.
Visit southsideartsdistrict.com and discoverlehighvalley.com for events and things to do in walking distance from campus and in the greater Lehigh Valley. Find Hotels near Lehigh University here.
Lehigh University students have several banking options located in Bethlehem. Lehigh students also have access to a full-service Wells Fargo bank branch and ATM located in the University Center. The Pennsylvania States Employee Credit Union (PSECU) operates a Financial Education Center at the Mountaintop Campus, Building C, 2nd Floor, and provides 3 ATM's in Lamberton, Taylor Gym, and Stabler Arena. There are also several banking options located in Bethlehem.
For additional questions not addressed here, please contact the Office of the First-Year Experience:
Phone: 610-758-1300
E-mail: fye@lehigh.edu