Your orientation experience will begin before the start of your semester. We look forward to welcoming you on campus! Please see below for more information about your required orientation program. If you have any questions about orientation, please contact I-20@montclair.edu.
Welcome to Global Compass: Navigating Your Graduate Experience
This orientation experience will be in TWO required parts and provide you with all of the information needed for a successful transition to your studies at Montclair State University.
Part I (pre-arrival online webinar series)
You must attend each webinar topic ONE time:
- Adjusting to U.S. Life: Culture and Costs
- I want a job! The facts about employment in the U.S.
Part II (post-arrival two-day in person orientation)
In-person orientation will be held on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026. Please do not register for the in-person orientation sessions until (1) you have attended both online webinars, and (2) received your visa to attend Montclair.
In-Person Orientations
Day 1 – Wednesday, January 14, 2026: This in-person orientation session will be hosted on campus by the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) in University Hall, 7th Floor, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Orientation check-in will begin at 9:00 am. Once you arrive on campus, you will see signs and orientation leaders who will direct you where to go.
Topics to be covered:
- Maintaining your Status (F-1), MyGlobal Portal & Immigration Check-In
- Understanding U.S. Academic Culture
- University Police Department
- Commuter and Parking Services
- And many more resources to be a successful student.
Day 2 – Thursday, January 15, 2026: This in-person academic orientation will be hosted by International Academic Initiatives (IAI) and The Graduate School, in the School of Business (SBUS), Room 140 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. This session will introduce you to campus resources, connect you with fellow students and Graduate Program Coordinators (GPCs), and support your transition into the academic community. It also aims to foster a sense of belonging and help you find direction on campus. Please complete this pre-orientation survey before your arrival.
Registration is required! Please only register if you have submitted your deposit.
What to bring:
- Sweater or jacket – the room can get cold
- Appetite – Light refreshments will be served. This is your opportunity to try some American food!
- Questions – Bring any questions you have!
- Do not bring guests as they cannot be accommodated, this includes family members, parents, significant others, and children.
- Pets are not allowed. All service animals must be approved by the Disability Resource Center before they are permitted on campus and the confirmation of approval must be sent to OGE before the orientation day.
Other Orientation Sessions:
Incoming graduate students may be required to attend multiple orientation sessions before the start of their program. You will receive an email regarding any sessions that you must attend.
Freshmen and transfer students will attend the college-wide new student orientation. You can find more information on this orientation here: Undergraduate Orientation. ALL incoming international undergraduate students are required to attend a MANDATORY Maintaining Your F-1 Status session in addition to the campus-wide undergraduate orientation. This session will be run by the Office of Global Engagement (OGE). Please check back for more information.
Please contact the International Academic Initiative’s office for more information about this orientation. All incoming J-1 international exchange students are required to attend the Maintaining Your J-1 Status session in addition to the IAI Exchange Student orientation. This session will be run by the Office of Global Engagement (OGE). Please check back for more information about the new student resource fairs. When coming to campus for orientation or just a visit, you can park in either the Red Hawk Parking Deck or Car Parc Diem Parking Deck for $12 for the entire day. You can find the location of each deck on our Campus Map. Campus is also accessible via New Jersey Transit bus (Montclair Heights stop) or train (Montclair Heights station and Montclair State University station). The NJ Transit bus schedule can be found here and the NJ Transit train schedule can be found here.