“WIE Orientation helped me learn more about Illinois, get a feel for Grainger Engineering, and make friends. I felt confident when classes started, and that I had a head start!” – Delanie, Chemical Engineering
At WIE New Student Orientation, you will:
- Establish friends for the first week of classes and beyond!
- Connect with awesome upper-division mentors from each major for the best tips and advice for college.
- Develop essential college skills.
- Be introduced to your major and department resources.
- Learn about what it means to be a Grainger Engineer!
Get Connected
Before the new school year starts, get connected with upper-division mentors and other incoming new students in your major! After registering, students will receive information on how to join a Slack channel with all their peers and mentors.
Dates and Registration
- WIE New Student Orientation is scheduled for August 16-17, 2023.
- Registration open June 1-Aug 1, 2023. Link to register, click here!
Early Move-In Information
You may be able to move in early to attend the WIE New Student Orientation. Please check with housing for more information about specific move-in dates. If you will move into private certified housing, refer to the private certified website.
For the most up-to-date information on housing, please refer to the housing website.
Schedule
2023 Agenda
WIE Orientation will be in the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF, on the corner of Springfield Ave. and Wright St., next to the Grainger Library. There will be mentors around the Bardeen Quad in blue and white t-shirts to help you find your way!
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
5:30-6:15pm check-in
6:20-6:35pm WIE Welcome Prof. Yuting Chen
6:35-7:00pm Balancing Academics & Self-care w/ Dr. Juve George
7:05-7:30pm Keynote Speaker Alumni Lauren White
7:35-8:30pm Department Breakout Sessions
8:35-9:30pm Social
9:30-10:00pm Transport back to dorms
Thursday, August 17, 2023
8:15-9:00am check-in & breakfast
9:00-9:15am Group photo
9:20-10:10am WIE Welcome back & sponsor panel (Boeing, Caterpillar, Texas Instrument)
10:15-11:15am Resource Fair
11:20-11:45am Closing Prof. Yuting Chen
11:45am-1:30pm Lunch w/ Department Advisors & faculty
WIE Mentors and Student Coordinators
Orientation coordinators!
Helen Chang, MeCHSE
Sarah Dzieza, CEE
Mackenzie Kimble, CEE
Chantal Korde, ChBE
Trisha Murali, EE
Maddie Rydell, IE
FAQ's
Who organizes WIE New Student Orientation?
WIE New Student Orientation is planned by the Women in Engineering staff with support from our current undergraduate women students. The undergraduate students attended WIE New Student Orientation as incoming students and benefited from it so much that they wanted to get involved to make sure that new students after them had a similar (or better!) experience.
Who can attend WIE New Student Orientation?
Any incoming new student into The Grainger College of Engineering, Chemical Engineering, CS+X majors, or Agricultural and Biological Engineering is invited to attend orientation. No matter what college you are a part of, Women in Engineering supports all engineering students to form community.
How many students actually attend WIE New Student Orientation?
Usually, around two-thirds of the women in the incoming engineering class attend WIE New Student Orientation.
What do students do at WIE New Student Orientation?
At WIE New Student Orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet other incoming women engineering students through a variety of different activities that will help you learn about Illinois and prepare you to be a successful engineering student! See the schedule for the upcoming orientation above!
How do I register for WIE New Student Orientation?
Orientation registration for 2023 is opens June 1st and closes August 1, 2023. Register EARLY. Space is limited.
How much does WIE New Student Orientation cost?
Depending on which residence you are moving into, WIE New Student Orientation will either be free or a minimal cost thanks to The Grainger College of Engineering and generous corporate sponsors. Your meals and activities during orientation are free of charge.
When exactly can I move in?
For University Housing, check here for information on selecting a move-in time. For those in Private Certified Housing, check directly with your housing provider.
Does my residence hall know that I’m moving in early?
University Housing will have spots available to sign-up to move-in. You will need to inform housing that you will be moving in early. Contact housing for your needs to move in early.
I will live in a private, certified residence hall. Does my early move-in fee get waived?
The early move-in fees associated with Private Certified Housing varies by residency so you should check with your residence hall directly for associated costs.
What if I’m in WIMSE (or another Living Learning Community) or am an International student? How do I choose which Orientation to go to?
While WIE Orientation may conflict with some other orientations such as Living-Learning Communities (LLC) and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), please know that you can attend WIE orientation in addition to your LLC or ISSS orientation. Please check back in early summer for more information.
I already registered to say I was attending WIE New Student Orientation but I marked something wrong. What do I do?
Don’t worry. If you receive your email confirmation and realize that for some reason there has been a change in your registration, email wie@illinois.edu with your name and what the mistake is and the WIE office will happily fix the error.
How can I get in touch with other women engineering students (current students and new students) before Orientation?
Once you have registered for Orientation, you will be added to a Slack channel with your peers and mentors. This will be your space to engage with other new students, make connections, and ask questions before orientation.
Sponsors