Office of Student Engagement

New Student Programs

Welcome to the Ramily

New Student Programs at Thomas Jefferson University - East Falls is a robust offering of programs for new students (including first-year and transfer students) from the time they deposit until the end of their first year on campus. New Student Programs are coordinated through the Office of Student Engagement in cooperation with various campus partners and academic programs. All programs are designed to provide support and encouragement to new students and help ensure they succeed personally and academically. Research is clear, and our experience has demonstrated, that students who actively engage in all of the New Student Programs are more likely to be successful and have a more enriching college experience.

New Student Orientation

Orientation sessions offer new students and their guests an opportunity to: get acquainted with the East Falls campus, gain insight from University resources, meet current and fellow new students, and get questions answered. Orientation sessions are for both first year and transfer students.

For students entering in August 2024
Registration opens April 1, 2024

This year we are happy to bring back our traditional two-day overnight program. This program is open to first year and transfer students as well as their guests. For students the program runs from 8:30am on day one through 12:00pm on day two. An overnight stay in one first year residence halls is part of the program and all students who sign up for this format are required to stay overnight on campus. We are able to accommodate roommate requests if requested in a timely manner and both students are signed up for the same session.

For guests, the two-day program runs from 8:30am to dinner on day one and from 8:30am to 12:00pm on day two. All guests need to have their own overnight accommodations. We will have a courtesy block at the Hilton City Avenue available (more details soon). The guest fee is $60 per person for two-day sessions which covers five meals, a reception with administrators, and an optional trolley tour. 

We also have a special one-day program available this year on Wednesday, August 14th*. This program is geared toward transfer students, students who live 250+ miles from campus, and international students. Registration for the August session will not open until the summer sessions close.  

Summer Orientation Session/Important Dates
Session One—Tuesday/Wednesday, June 25/26
Session Two—Thursday/Friday, June 27/28
Session Three—Monday/Tuesday, July 8/9
Session Four—Wednesday/Thursday, July 10/11
International Student Orientation—Monday/Tuesday, August 12/13
Special Session**—Wednesday, August 14
Welcome Week—Thursday, August 15 to Sunday, August 18
Classes Start—Monday, August 19

For students entering in January 2025, New Student Orientation will occur on TBA. Registration will open on November 1, 2024.

Exploring Philadelphia Program

We know getting to explore Philadelphia is an important part of the orientation process. We will be offering four sessions of our Exploring Philly program in Summer 2024. A small group of new students and an Orientation Leader will participate in expanded tours and activities that will help you get familiar with the city. The sessions are intended to complement Summer New Student Orientation and to provide an extended visit to the campus and the city.

Exploring Philadelphia Sessions
Monday, June 24
Wednesday, June 26
Sunday, July 7
Tuesday, July 9

Welcome Week

Welcome Week is a continuation of the orientation experience. Over four days there are many opportunities to connect with other new students and with the University and Philadelphia community. All events/trips/activities are free.  Welcome Week is mandatory for all new first-year students and highly suggested for transfer students. Commuter students are provided with meal tickets for meals from Thursday dinner through Sunday dinner.

Welcome Week 2024 will occur from Thursday to Sunday, August 15-18, 2024.

First Year Seminar (FYS-100)

All new first year students take the First Year Seminar (FYS-100) during their first semester on campus. The First Year Seminar provides the opportunity for new students to learn and practice strategies that will enable their success at the University and beyond. Students will create personal, professional, and academic goals, as well as success strategies for learning and career development. The First Year Seminar helps to get students engaged with the campus and the community through the "Choose Your Own Adventure" co-curricular project. 

First Year Experience (FYE)

The First-Year Experience (FYE) program provides new students with a multitude of opportunities to explore the city with guidance and support from upper-division student leaders called First Year Experience Coordinators. Trips/activities are free or greatly discounted to maximize opportunities for first year students to participate in as many opportunities as possible. The FYE Coordinators plan at least 30 trips/activities during the year, with something happening almost every week during the semester. Examples of previous trips include the Philly Zoo, Magic Gardens, Eastern State, Franklin Institute, Phillies/Flyers/Sixers games, DIY paint/craft nights, community service opportunities, etc.  Transportation via public transportation, school bus, or charter bus is provided for all FYE programs.  

OSE and FYE also partner with Campus Philly to provide discounts and special experiences to all students. 

Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a cornerstone of the leadership programs for new students at Jefferson East Falls. The co-curricular certificate program has been designed to help new students understand learning experiences in co-curricular life and their relationship to classroom work; to assist students in becoming effective leaders on campus and in the community; and to encourage personal growth and development through active participation in discussion, exercises, and workshops. Participants in ELP will meet for seven weeks during the spring semester. Regular meetings ensure that members are committed to the program and to their own personal development. All ELP sections follow the same curriculum but are offered at different times to accommodate the busy schedules of our first-year students.

Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society (ALD)

Alpha Lambda Delta celebrates academic excellence among first-year students, with over 280 chapters and over one million students initiated. First year and transfer students who have earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher within their first year on campus are eligible to join. Once inducted, membership and benefits are for life. ALD provides 50 undergraduate scholarships of $1,000-$6,000 each, 20 study-abroad scholarships of $1,000-$2,000, and 26 graduate fellowships from $2,000 to $7,000 each year. Alpha Lambda Delta is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).