First-Year Student Transition
First Year Students Beginning in the Fall
Welcome to the UM Family!
We are so excited you chose to become a Grizzly! Here's some information to help you get started with your transition to campus, which extends far beyond your first week here on campus. We are here at every step of the way, throughout your entire first year of school and beyond to graduation.
Through our self-paced, online New Student Orientation and our Big Sky Experience week of welcome you experience first-hand just how easy it can be to to explore your new home, became familiar with UM's expectations of you as a member of our community, and how to make use of the countless resources and programs available to support you.
With the help of your peer UM Advocate, we hope you also discover ample ways to get involved, to meet new friends, and to learn all there is to know about being a student at the University of Montana.
New Student Orientation
Completed Online - Late Summer
All incoming students will complete this interactive and video-based program to better prepare for their first year. Students can complete this program at their own pace, on their own time, and in the comfort of their own home! It will take you approximately 1 hour to complete from start to finish, but you can pause and come back to it as many times as you would like.
This platform will include information about:
- Your Academic College and Resources
- Student and Campus Life
- Campus and Community Support
- Financial Matters
- Student Safety and Policies
- Bystander Interventions and Community Expectations
- and more!
Fall 2024 incoming students will get access to this platform in late summer.
The Big Sky Experience
August 19 - 23, 2024
In addition to completing New Student Orientation online, all traditional-aged first-year students are expected to attend our in-person week of welcome - the Big Sky Experience! If you are a new student over the age of 21 or a transfer student you are invited, but not required, to attend this in-person program.
This award-winning week is specially designed to help students become integrated with their new community, both through peer-led activities and workshops, and through community-driven projects you will work on with your new friends.
View the 2023 Big Sky Experience schedule here.
In late summer, you will be asked to select which project you would like to work on. To get an idea of what activities there may be to choose from, view a list of the 2023 campus and community partners here.
What Should I Expect at the Big Sky Experience?
- Residence Hall Move-In Day;
- Parent and Family sessions like the BEAR Fair and First Meal;
- Community activities with partners like Free Cycles, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the Blackstone LaunchPad and UM Student Life;
- Peer-led activities to get to know campus, how to access help, and tips and tricks for enjoying and successfully making it through your first year of college;
- Nightly Griz Welcome activities;
- River Rendezvous and the Freshman Float traditions; and so much more!
New Student Residence Hall Arrival
The official move-in day for the residence halls is Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Students attending orientation will be able to use their meal plans, as well as live in their assigned residence hall room beginning this day unless arrangements for early arrival are made with a specific program (marching band, FLBS, FWE, athletics, etc.) or the UM Housing Office directly.
Parent and Family Big Sky Experience Programming
Parents and families are invited to attend programming on Monday during arrival day, including Campus Dining's "First Meal" and the BEAR Fair. Your students will be on their own with their peer-led small group for the rest of the week.
Fall Pre-Big Sky Experience Trips and Special Groups
In it's fourth year, we are excited to showcase the Flathead Lake Biological Station for this special overnight experience! Similar to the Freshman Wilderness Experience, this trip will bring a small group of 20 incoming first-year students together for a multiday adventure at UM’s world-class freshwater research and education facility on Flathead Lake.
The cost is $250 per student and covers transportation, food, and lodging.
Important Information
This trip is designed for incoming first-year students only and is a special addition to the required in-person Big Sky Experience program, which is held immediately following this trip from Aug. 19 - Aug. 23.
Students should also complete their online New Student Orientation program (available in July) prior to both this trip and the Big Sky Experience.
The Details
- Thursday, Aug. 15 - Early arrival and Residence Hall move-in
- Friday, Aug. 16 - Depart campus for Flathead Lake Biological Station
- Monday, Aug. 19 - Return to Campus to join all other incoming students for the Big Sky Experience
- Friday, Aug. 23 - River Rendezvous and Freshman Float, end of Big Sky Experience
- Monday, Aug. 26 - Fall Classes Begin
Submit your registration and payment for the 2024 trip here!
Fall 2024 Information - More Info on the FWE Website
The Freshman Wilderness Experience will introduce students to the incredibly stunning natural surroundings in western Montana. Students do not need any prior outdoor experience to participate. Most importantly, it is a chance for students to meet each other, explore Montana and form lasting friendships before classes begin on campus. Students have the option to participate in a wilderness backpacking ($360) or canoeing trip ($440), but space is limited!
Those students participating in FWE will need to move into their residence hall rooms the day prior or morning-of check-in for FWE, which occurs August 15, 2024 at 1 p.m. Groups will be in the field from Aug. 16-19, 2024 and will return to campus to participate in the Big Sky Experience beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.
New students who are joining the Grizzly Marching Band should follow the instructions of the band director regarding move-in, arrival, and the Big Sky experience. We work closely together to ensure all new students get to participate in important aspects of the Big Sky Experience with their peers. All Grizzly Marching Band students will be automatically placed into a Big Sky Experience group together.
Depending on your sport, there are a wide variety of obligations prior to and during the Big Sky Experience. We work closely with the athletic advising team and coaches to ensure student-athletes get to participate in as much of the Big Sky Experience program with their peers as possible. Please follow the direction of your academic advisor and coaches.
Information for Other Student Types
The University of Montana recognizes your transition to college may be a bit different. As such, Adult Learners or "non-traditional students" do not need to participate in the on-campus Big Sky Experience program as long as you complete New Student Orientation online.
Incoming first-year students who wish to take Summer Start courses should let their academic advisor know during Bear Tracks. Your advisor will work with you to determine which courses make the most sense for meeting your academic goals. Students who attend Summer Start are required to complete New Student Orientation, as well as attend the Big Sky Experience in the fall. For more information on Summer Start you can visit their website.
To be considered a transfer student, you must have completed 12-semester credits at a college or university, post-high school graduation, and earned at least a 2.0 GPA. College credits earned by students still in high school do not count toward this 12-credit requirement. If you are a transfer student, please visit our Transfer Student Transition page.
Post-baccalaureate students are not required to complete an orientation program. You are able to register for classes on your own or contact an academic advisor for assistance.
First-Year Students Beginning in the Spring
New Student Orientation
As noted below, we launched a brand new online and self-paced New Student Orientation. Students beginning in Spring 2024 will get access to this program in November.
Spring Big Sky Experience
January 17, 2024
Incoming first-year students at UM or the Missoula College are also expected to attend a one-day in person program right before the spring semester begins. Families are welcome to attend for some morning programming as well.
Spring 2024 Big Sky Experience schedule of events!
The official move-in day for students living in the residence halls is Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - keep an eye out for additional information from UM Housing on arrival and residence hall move-in.