First-Year and Transfer Orientation
Welcome, new Sharks!
Orientation is the official start of your Simmons journey
First Bite Orientation is your formal introduction to the Simmons University community, and it takes place in two parts over the summer. In June, we are excited to welcome new first-year and transfer students and their families for a one-day Orientation (June 11 or 12). In the Fall, we’ll kick off Orientation on Saturday, August 29th and it will run through Tuesday Sept. 1.
June 11, 2026 or June 12, 2026, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Note: Choose one day! Students, parents, and guardians welcome!
- Register for Session 1: June 11, 2026
- Register Session 2: June 12, 2026
If you live out of state and are unable to attend in June, email [email protected].
- If you are being dropped off, please plan to be dropped off at 300 The Fenway (the address of our academic campus) by 8:30am.
- If you are driving, please drive to our parking garage at One Palace Rd, Boston, MA. We’ll have orientation leaders out to help direct you to guide the way. Please take a ticket, which we’ll validate upon check-in.
- If you are taking public transit, Simmons University is close to the following Green Line stops: Fenway, Museum of Fine Arts, and Longwood Medical Area.
- Check-in will be from 8-9am in the Academic Quad
June 11 or June 12, 2026
Locations will be available in the program you will receive at check-in
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am -8:50 am | Check in: All Aboard the Class of 2030 and Transfer Students! |
| 9:00 am -9:30 am | University Welcome: Your official welcome to Simmons. Join Provost Stephanie Cosner, Vice President of Student Engagement and Dean of Students, Rae-Anne Butera, and Director of the CLE, Christy Lusiak, to kick things off! |
| 9:45 am -10:15 am | Shiver of Sharks: Meet your Orientation Leader in groups of 10-12. |
| 10:30 am -11:30 am | Campus Life Conductors Panel: Join team members from Res Life, Accessibility, Dining, the Health Center, and Student Engagement for updated information and Q&A. |
| 11:30 am -12:30 pm | Skip the Small Talk: Speed Friending! You'll get a chance to mingle and engage with all of your future classmates. |
| 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Fuel your Tank: Enjoy a burrito bowl lunch and then informally engage with 20+ campus partners as part of our Resource Fair. |
| 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Get Your Sea Legs: Choose a session designed to help you learn more about the day-to-day life of a Simmons Student, how to get involved, or more about opportunities in the Greater Boston area. |
| 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | PLANning Your Journey: Hear about some of the courses in our Gen Ed program (PLAN) and learn how to register for classes. |
| 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Last Stop: Closing, Swag, Treats: We'll give you some swag and ply you with sweets before you hit the road! |
June 11 or June 12, 2026
Locations will be available in the program you will receive when you check-in
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am - 8:50 am | Check in: All Aboard the Class of 2030 and Transfer Students! |
| 9:00 am - 9:30 am | University Welcome: Your official welcome to Simmons. Join Provost Stephanie Cosner, Vice President of Student Engagement and Dean of Students, Rae-Anne Butera, and Director of the CLE, Christy Lusiak, to kick things off! |
| 9:45 am - 10:15 am | Coffee Break & 5k Foot View: Career Readiness@Simmons. Vice President of Student Success and Diversity Nakeisha Cody and Associate Provost Leanne Doherty to learn more about how we prepare your students for their life's work. |
| 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Get Your Sea Legs Part 1: Choose a session designed to help you learn more about the day-to-day life of a Simmons Student or head out on a tour of Academic campus. |
| 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Campus Life Conductors Panel: Join team members from Advising, Res Life, Technology, Financial Services, and Student Engagement for updated information and Q&A. |
| 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Fuel your Tank: Enjoy a burrito bowl lunch and then informally engage with 20+ campus partners as part of our Resource Fair. |
| 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Testing the Waters (Let Go to Grow): We've got all of the Best Practice information in one place for you to prepare for your students' transition to Simmons in the Fall. This conversation features Dean of Students and VP for Student Engagement Rae-Anne Butera as well as the CLE Director, Christy Lusiak, |
| 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Get Your Sea Legs Part 2: You'll be able to choose another adventure! Sessions include Safety in the City, Health and Wellness at Simmons, Navigating Neurodiversity, and a special panel of our Orientation Captains. |
| 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Last Stop: Closing, Swag, Treats: We'll reunite you with your student and ply you with sweets before you hit the road! |
The Inn at Longwood Medical
342 Longwood Ave, Boston
617-731-4700
Rooms available June 14 – June 18
Rate $309/night
Cut-off date to reserve rooms: 5/11/2026
Make Your Inn at Longwood Online Reservation »
Hilton Garden Inn@Brookline
700 Brookline Ave,Brookline, MA
617-935-0077
Rooms available June 10 – June 13
Rate $429 per night
Cut-off date to reserve rooms: 5/10/2026
Orientation Leaders
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are Simmons students who assist with all aspects of Undergraduate Orientation. The primary goal of Orientation Leaders is to provide incoming students with a positive first experience of Simmons.
First Bite Orientation Part 2
August 29 – Sept. 1, 2026
Follow @Simmons_FYI on Instagram!
See you soon!
Virtual Orientation Video 2025
If you're eager to learn more check out our June 2025 Orientation Video!
