Orientation
New Student Orientation prepares you to be successful at Collin College!
As a Freshman or a First Time In College student, completing New Student Orientation is one of the steps you must complete before registering for courses. Students have the option of completing orientation online or attending an in-person session. There is no charge for students to complete New Student Orientation.
In-Person New Student Orientation Session
Advance registration is required to attend a New Student Orientation In-Person session.
New Student Orientation is not a come-and-go event. Walk-ins are accepted as time
and space allow.
View the available Fall 2024 Orientation Dates
Extended Orientation - C.A.T. Camp (Cougars Achieve Together)
If you have completed Orientation and are registered for courses, take the next step
to prepare you for your educational journey at Collin College with C.A.T. Camp.
C.A.T. Camp is for new Collin College students who have already completed or participated
in new student orientation! This FREE, interactive session will provide new students
with some in-depth resources, tips, and tricks from current Collin students that will
help new students build campus connections and start feeling like part of the Collin
College Community. Visit the C.A.T. Camp Website for more information.
Fall 2024 dates are:
• August 13: Wylie Campus
• August 22: Frisco Campus
Registration will open for First-Generation College students* on May 1. All other students can register beginning July 1.
*A First-Generation College Student is a student whose parents did not complete a college/university
degree or college certification in the United States.
New Student Orientation Agenda
• Welcome & Orientation Leader Introductions
• Admissions and Registration Holds
• Academic Advising
• CougarWeb/Workday Tutorial
• Dean of Students and Student Services
• Opportunity to Connect with Current Collin College Students, Faculty, and Staff
Event lasts two (2) hours
New Student Orientation and C.A.T Camp FAQs
Is Orientation mandatory?
All First Time in College (FTIC) students at Collin College are required to complete New Student Orientation in-person or complete the Online Orientation before registering for classes.
How much does the New Student Orientation session cost?
It is FREE! Students sign-up through our Eventbrite website to attend a New Student Orientation session.
What if I am unable to attend the in-person New Student Orientation session?
Collin College offers online orientation to have a student's Mandatory Orientation hold removed in CougarWeb, our student platform. After students complete the online orientation and the remaining registration holds are removed, they can register for courses online. The in-person New Student Orientation sessions are an additional opportunity to help students. You can find sign-up information on the Eventbrite Website.
How long is the online orientation session?
Students completing the online orientation are able to complete this on their own schedule, but are required to complete the entire session to receive credit. It takes about 30-45 minutes. The online orientation can be done as your schedule permits, but must be fully completed to have the hold removed.
How long is the in-person New Student Orientation session?
Each in-person New Student Orientation session lasts two (2) hours. Students are expected to attend the entire session to have the registration hold removed.
Where will the in-person New Student Orientation sessions be held?
The in-person New Student Orientation sessions will be held on-campus in the conference centers on four campuses (Frisco Campus, McKinney Campus, Plano Campus, and Wylie Campus) and on campus at the Celina, Farmersville, and Technical campuses. Visit the New Student Orientation directions page for the specific directions for each campus.
Can I attend an in-person New Student Orientation session at a different campus than
where I am planning on taking classes?
Yes, you can attend an in-person New Student Orientation on any of the campuses, when
scheduled. The information is the same.
What topics will be covered during the in-person New Student Orientation session?
We will have presentations such as a Collin College and Registration overview, Academic
Advising, and CougarWeb and course registration tutorial, Dean of Students Presentation,
and student services, and an ability to meet with current students, faculty, and staff.
See agenda.
Will I be meeting with an academic advisor and registering for classes during in-person
New Student Orientation?
Yes. At the end of each in-person New Student Orientation session, any students who
have all registration holds removed can receive some help registering for courses.
Are the Admissions, Financial Aid, or Academic Advising offices open during a in-person
New Student Orientation session?
All of the offices are available before or after in-person New Student Orientation
(except for weekend events and some evening sessions). The in-person New Student Orientation
session is not a come-and-go event.
Can I drop off my meningitis vaccination records or transcripts at the in-person New
Student Orientation session?
You can drop off these documents to the Admissions Office before or after the in-person
New Student Orientation session when their offices are open. You can also submit your
vaccination records through Med+Proctor.
Will I get my student ID at the in-person New Student Orientation session?
Student ID Cards are available to students at the Office of Student Engagement after
registering for courses and allowing at least 24 hours after enrolling in courses
to have their ID Card made. Students who are primarily taking courses online can request
their Student ID online through Collin College’s Student Involvement Platform, Cougar Connect. Students will need to log in using their Collin College login information and complete
the "Online Student ID Form” that can be found in the forms tab. Once a student has
met all of the requirements, the ID will be mailed directly to the student.
Will there be food served at in-person New Student Orientation?
Food will not be provided during the sessions.
What do I need to bring to the in-person New Student Orientation?
Bring your event ticket for the in-person New Student Orientation session, information
to complete any remaining registration holds, and a willingness to learn about all
that Collin College has to offer and learn about course registration.
Can my parents/guest attend the in-person New Student Orientation session?
Parents and guests over 18 years old may attend an in-person New Student Orientation
session, but do not need to register for the event. They will sit separately from
the student throughout the event and will be admitted into the session, if space allows.
Collin College offers a Parent & Family Online Orientation. We also have a Parent & Family Online Orientation in Spanish.
Can children attend the in-person New Student Orientation session?
It is against Collin College policy for students, parents, or guests to bring children
under the age of 18 to new student orientation or to class. The exception is if the
child under 18 is registering for courses at Collin College in the next term.
Will I be able to take the Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) Assessment during the in-person
New Student Orientation session?
No. Students can complete the TSI assessment before attending the in-person New Student
Orientation session. The test may last up to five (5) hours. Completing the TSI, or
having approved exemptions prior to attending the Registration Days session. Prior
to taking the TSI, students must complete a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). You can
also schedule to take the TSI test.
Will I meet with faculty members during the in-person New Student Orientation session?
There will be an opportunity to connect with faculty the in-person New Student Orientation
sessions and the extended orientation, C.A.T. Camp events.
Will I meet with campus resources or student organizations during the in-person New
Student Orientation session?
There will not be a campus resource fair during in-person New Student Orientation
sessions. There will be an opportunity to connect with campus resources during the
extended orientation, C.A.T. Camp events.
Where do I park for the in-person New Student Orientation sessions and what will it
cost?
Parking at Collin College is FREE. We encourage attendees of in-person New Student
Orientation sessions to park as close to the Conference Center as possible (just follow
the signs on campus). After you register for courses (and wait 24-hours), you can
obtain your Student ID Card and FREE parking permit at the Office of Student Engagement
on the Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and Wylie campuses. Students at the Celina, Technical
(Allen), and Farmersville campuses should visit the Student Enrollment Services one-stop
shop to obtain their Student ID Card and FREE parking permit.
After I have completed orientation and registered for courses, are there any other
events that can help prepare me for the semester?
Once you have completed Orientation, take the next step to prepare you for your educational
journey at Collin College with C.A.T. Camp (Cougars Achieve Together). This FREE,
interactive session will provide new students with some in-depth resources, tips,
and tricks from current students, connections to campus, and help you feel a part
of the Collin College Community. This event is for new students at Collin College
who have already completed orientation and registered for courses!
When is C.A.T. Camp?
C.A.T. Camp will occur in August prior to the fall semester. Registration for all
C.A.T. Camp events will begin on July 1.
How much does C.A.T. Camp cost?
It is FREE! Students sign-up to attend a C.A.T. Camp event, after completing the Online
Orientation and registering courses, through our Eventbrite website.
Will there be food served at C.A.T. Camp?
Food will be provided during the event.
Can my parents/guests/children attend C.A.T. Camp?
Due to space restrictions, we are unable to accommodate parents, children, or guests
during C.A.T. Camp. Collin College does offer a Parent & Family Online Orientation. We also have a Parent & Family Online Orientation in Spanish. It is against Collin College policy for students, parents, or guests
to bring children under the age of 18 to new student orientation or to class. The
exception is if the child under 18 is registering for courses at Collin College in
the next term.
Additional New Student Orientation Information
- Parents & Families Resources
- Parent & Family Online Orientation - will not satisfy mandatory orientation hold
- Parent & Family Online Orientation (SPANISH VERSION) - will not satisfy mandatory orientation hold
- Campus Tours
- First Year Experience
- New Student Orientation Directions
New Student Orientation Staff
Collin College has an amazing staff of professionals and students who plan, coordinate, and execute each New Student Orientation session. Our Student Ambassadors attend each event to serve as academic and social role models and mentor new students at Collin College. To learn more about the Student Ambassador Position or if you have any questions contact us at orientation@jdzruiran.com or 972.881.5788.
NODA - The Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education.
Collin College is an institutional member of NODA. New Student Orientation has received the following NODA recognitions:
- 2014 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student - Monnika Young
- 2015 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Crystal Martinez
- 2020 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Samar Rawas
- 2020 NODA Region IV OTR Professional Award - Stephen Rogers
- 2020 NODA OTR Professional Award - Stephen Rogers
- 2021 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Rania Rawas
- 2021 NODA Outstanding Undergraduate Student - Rania Rawas
- 2022 NODA Region IV Innovative Program - C.A.T. Camp
- 2022 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Sandy Faragalla
- 2023 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Talitha Agudelo
- 2024 NODA Region IV Outstanding Undergraduate Student-Two Year Institution - Ismael Raul Villa