Saint Michael's College

The four years of undergraduate study are among the most exciting and challenging. Exciting, because they are filled with incredible opportunities for learning. Challenging, because at times, one can be overwhelmed by those same opportunities and experiences. This summer we have five programs designed to give you a firm foothold as you enter your undergraduate program.

The following summer programs are offered in addition to the new student orientation to take place just before the beginning of the fall semester, August 23-26. The new student orientation program is required for all new students.

• Summer Registration Day will give you specific and very necessary information about your academic pursuits. Though Summer Registration Day is not required, we highly recommend that first-year students attempt to make it to one of these sessions, because attending a Summer Registration Day will help enable a smooth beginning to your fall semester. The Summer Registration Day sessions are timed to occur back-to-back with the summer optional programs.

The following four programs are optional (and for a fee), and due to their popularity, students are allowed to sign up for only one of these five programs. These programs fill up quickly, so students will be registered in the order their registration forms are received. Students whose registration forms arrive after their desired program has already filled will be given the opportunity to attend one of the other programs.

• Pre-Orientation Weekend (POW) is a chance for small groups of new students to get to know one another, learn a little about what to expect in college, and enjoy Vermont in the summer.
• Community Service Weekend is an opportunity to explore the world of community service and activism in Chittenden County with current student leaders from the MOVE (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts) office.
• Saint Michael’s Orientation for Academic Immersion, Rentention and Transition (SOAR) is designed for students who value inclusiveness and cultural diversity, and who are seeking an introduction to college life in Vermont.
• Wilderness Orientation Weekend (WOW) allows small groups of students to spend three days enjoying various outdoor recreational activities and New England’s natural landscape.
• Knight Overnight Program is an overnight program designed to introduce students to the concept of living in a residential community.

To register for any of the programs mentioned above, use the registration form in the New Student Manual (sent in mid-May). The absolute deadline for returning the Summer Registration form is June 8, 2012, but we do recommend that you send it in well before this deadline if possible, as summer registration days and optional summer programs fill on a first-come, first-served basis, based on space availability by gender.

If you have any questions regarding these programs, please do not hesitate to call the contact person listed on each program's web page.