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DATE CHANGE: We are thrilled to welcome your student and family to Orientation! Please note the arrival dates: International students arrive Monday, Aug. 31. Domestic students and Fearless First Academy participants arrive Thursday, Sept. 3.
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Dear families and supporters,
Welcome to the Mount Holyoke community!
We are absolutely thrilled to partner with you as your student begins this exciting next chapter. By choosing Mount Holyoke, your student is joining a bold, intellectually curious and deeply caring community. Here, they will find a supportive network dedicated not just to their academic success, but to their personal growth and well-being.
We know you likely have many questions about the transition ahead — from Move-in and housing to summer preparations. This email outlines the essentials to help your student get started. If there is one thing to emphasize with your student, it is their Summer To-Do list, which contains all their necessary action items.
First-year students must also select their top choices for their required First-Year Seminar in their my.mtholyoke.edu portal. They received more information on how to do this from the director of the First-Year Seminar Program, Jennifer W. Jacoby, last week.
We will continue to share information throughout the summer. For now, please take a moment to celebrate this incredible achievement with your student. We are here to support your entire family every step of the way.
Below, I’ve shared the video I shared with your students!
Thank you for trusting us to be part of this important chapter. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at orientation@mtholyoke.edu.
Warmly,
Marcella
Marcella Runell
Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Life*
Mount Holyoke College
*Soon to be Student Affairs
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Move-in and Orientation Dates
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Aug. 31: Move-in for all international students
Aug. 31–Sept. 2: Pre-Orientation for all international students (full schedule to be shared in a future email).
Sept. 3: Move-in for Fearless First Academy participants and all other new students
Sept. 3–Sept. 7: New Student Orientation
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Parent & Family Orientation is a half-day experience designed to support parents, families and supporters as you navigate this exciting transition alongside your student! You'll hear directly from the campus leaders who guide key areas of student life, including Residential Life, Student Success & Advising, Community & Belonging, Disability Services, Counseling Service, Public Safety and Health Services. Through panels and conversations, you'll gain insight into how the College supports your students’ academic success, well-being and sense of belonging.
A full Orientation schedule goes live in July!
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The New Student Housing Application is due Tuesday, June 23, at 11:55 pm EST. Students can save their progress, but should not hit "submit" on their application until they have finalized their preferences, completed their roommate matching profile and listed any Living Learning Communities (LLCs) they are interested in joining (such as First-Year Experience, Outdoor Adventure or Interfaith housing).
Students can expect an email with their room and roommate details in mid-July.
Housing Accommodations
If your student requires specific housing accommodations due to a disability, they must register with Disability Services. Every summer, Residential Life and Disability Services meet for a summer round of housing placements. To be considered in this summer round of housing placements for the 2026-2027 Academic Year, students must be approved by June 24, 2026. Both returning and new students approved after this date will be placed on waitlists for room(s) that fit their accommodation needs.
Disability Services is the only designated office at the College for students to voluntarily disclose a disability, submit appropriate documentation for verification and request accommodations. Disability Services engages with students in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations and ensure an individualized accommodation process. Students are welcome to register with the office at any point during their time at the College. Establishing accommodations and a connection with Disability Services prior to arriving on campus often helps to facilitate a smooth transition into the fall semester.
For more information about disability-related housing needs and accommodations, view the recent email sent to your student and visit the Disability Service's my.mtholyoke page.
Additionally, students can refer to our guide to requesting accommodations for additional details.
Commuter Students
Local students living at home must complete the Commuter Exemption Form (Students must use their mtholyoke.edu address to fill out).
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With students: Your student will receive all official College communications via their Mount Holyoke email account. Please remind them to check it regularly, as key information from their academic dean, Residential Life, Financial Services, Health Services, the Orientation team and more will be sent there throughout the summer.
You can find the emails previously sent to your students on our Orientation website under “News.”
Students are also encouraged to follow @mtholyoke (the College’s official account), @MHCStudentLife (Student Life) and @mhc_2030 (Class of 2030) on Instagram. Additionally, your student has been invited to join ZeeMee, a social app, through Admissions to start connecting with peers and our current students.
With families: The College will also be in touch with you throughout the summer and the academic year via emails like this one. Plus, save the date for Family and Friends Weekend, Oct. 16–18!
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Map to MoHome: Virtual Series
 Starting in late June, your student will be invited to a series of virtual sessions via Zoom covering everything from academics and wellness to packing tips and move-in. These interactive events are designed to help students feel confident and connected before arriving on campus. They'll have the chance to meet classmates, hear directly from current students and explore what it’s really like to live, learn and thrive at Mount Holyoke.
There will also be a session for family and friends on Aug. 19 at 7 pm EST. More information and a Zoom link will be shared via email!
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