Wednesday, June 1, University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) welcomed students and parents to the new freshmen orientation program, Gator Ready, a two-step orientation program designed to help new students transition to UHD and acclimate to campus life.

Held in the UHD Welcome Center, students spoke to academic advisors, registered for classes, set up Gatormail and GatorSync accounts and learned about financial aid and scholarship requirements.

Students also received welcome packets with detailed information about admission, registration, financial aid, social media, parking, academic advising, degree evaluation and more.

Parents took advantage of information sessions to chat with other parents and staff about how to support a new college student.

After completing Gator Ready, students received a ticket to the final stage of orientation, Gator Gateway, a comprehensive five-day program specifically designed to prepare students for a successful transition to college. The on-campus program gives students the opportunity to interact with peers and faculty, learn about the Freshmen Common Reader Program, participate in mock classes, discuss academic goals and familiarize themselves with the campus and its resources. Each college has a separate 5-day program:

July 18-22

College of Business and College of Public Service

July 25-29

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

August 1-5

College of Sciences and Technology

August 8-12

Multidisciplinary, Honors and International Students

Transfer Orientation students attend separate sessions specifically designed to meet the transitional and academic needs of students transferring from other colleges or universities. Transfer students get one-on-one assistance with admission application and enrollments steps, and learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

All first-time incoming freshman UHD students and freshman transfer students are required to attend an orientation program before their initial semester of enrollment begins.