First-Year Experience
We start building community before you get to campus.
Starting college is a new and exciting experience, and through this transition, you’ll have an entire support system in place from day one. Whether you need help picking out classes, deciding what to major in, or if you’re missing home, Hopkins meets you where you’re at with a variety of resources.
Orientation and First-Year Experience (OFYE) helps to facilitate a successful transition to college for first-year students, transfer students, and families. Through meaningful programs, events, and initiatives, OFYE serves as your guide in navigating Hopkins’ resources, from academics to campus engagement.
For the Early Birds: Pre-Orientation
“Pre-O” is a program for students who can’t wait to start meeting other first-years or explore Baltimore. From outdoor expeditions and service trips to programs hosted in Charm City about film or sustainability, you’ll get your fill of new friends and thrills.
Home Sweet Home: Orientation
Community is everything to us, and orientation is when we first come together at Homewood. Whether its bonding with your fellow Blue Jays, learning about the resources and opportunities available to you here, or exploring our great city, we have fun and engaging events planned for you to get to know your new home.
As you’re making the transition to college, so is your family. They can sign up for a newsletter and attend family orientation events themselves.
Your Personal Guide: First-Year Mentors
First-Year Mentors (better known as FYMs) support new students all year-round to provide peer mentorship, community, and smooth integration into campus life.
Transfer student orientation
A warm and welcoming community awaits all our Blue Jays. We have specific programs to connect transfer students with one another and adjust to life at Hopkins.
Blue jay welcome weeks
Beyond your first few days on the Homewood campus, we have Blue Jay Welcome Weeks full of activities for the entire community. Some examples are Pokémon Go to the Polls, HOPtober Fest, and Bike Smoothie.
THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
First-Year Seminars
The First-Year Seminars (FYS) program welcomes students to the campus community and takes them straight to the heart of what we do: discuss big ideas, explore new concepts, and develop novel solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
Learn More
Common Question
Each year, we pose a question that brings first-year students together with peers and faculty to start a dialogue. Through sources from creative, scientific, and humanistic perspectives, the Common Question encourages curiosity, expansive thinking, and open-minded engagement across disciplines.
Learn More
Advising Network
Our advisors provide students with the tools and guidance they need to achieve their full academic potential. From drop-in hours to student roadmaps, our resources can help you make the most of your studies at Hopkins.
Learn MoreTHE RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
Housing & Dining
Learn about where our students live and eat. Our residence halls and on-campus dining program create an environment where students want to socialize, gather, and build community.
Learn More
Student Organizations
You can get involved in 450+ student-led organizations with everything from a comedy a cappella group to a blacksmithing club.
Learn More
Total Student Support
Your success in all areas—mental, emotional, physical, social, and academic—is important to us. Guidance from trained staff is available as well as peer-to-peer support depending on your level of comfort.
Learn More