Hartwick college

Start your journey here! Your first year is the first step in becoming an involved, committed, and successful member of the Hartwick community. The courses you take, the experiences you have, and the people you get to know all will contribute to your being able to make confident and informed decisions that will determine your future--in college and beyond.

The Office of First Year Experience implements a series of programs and opportunities to help guide students through the transition from high school to college. As a staff we are committed to helping students:

• Start the Hartwick journey
• Build a sense of Hartwick community
• Engage in co-curricular life
• Identify resources for collegiate success
• Develop independence and self-advocacy skills

Components of the First Year Experience include:

New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation, required for all first year students, is an exciting day designed to welcome you to the Hartwick community and prepare you for a successful first semester. More about orientation...

Students enrolling for January Term 2012 or Spring 2012 will attend Jterm or Spring Orientation....

First Year Student Course Registration
Registration for first-year students begins with the completion of the Academic Course Planner. Registration information for students enrolling in Spring 2012 will be available in December.

Transfer Student Transition
The Transfer Student Transition at Hartwick is recognized as a process that can be customized for each student based on their previous experience and needs. More about the Transfer Transition...

SOAR
You may choose to Start Out Academics Right (SOAR), even before you begin your first year at Hartwick. During this summer five-week residential program, SOAR students take two credit-bearing courses, participate in academic workshops to improve basic skills, and take part in a variety of out-of-class trips and events. Students who are successful in the SOAR Program are admitted to the College. More about SOAR...

Awakening
Awakening is an optional six-day college orientation program occurring the week before fall semester begins. It's an adventuresome, fun way for students to begin life at Hartwick. More about Awakening...

StartWick Welcome Weekend
StartWick Welcome Weekend kicks off with the arrival of all new students and our campus-wide Convocation celebration, an annual tradition that marks the beginning of a new academic year. More about StartWick Welcome Weekend...

'Wick 101
'Wick 101 is an integral, required, and non-credit-bearing component of the First Year Experience. The course serves as an introduction to higher education and as an on-going orientation to Hartwick's resources and services, academic skills and strategies, and social issues. More about 'Wick 101...

First Year Seminar
The First-Year Seminar is a great opportunity to connect early with a faculty member in an important and meaningful way. More about FYS...

Family Weekend
Check out the slideshow from Family Weekend 2011. More about Family Weekend...

Learn more about Events & Traditions that should not be missed during the first year at Hartwick....