EIU New Student and Family Programs

Transfer - Fall Admit

We are so excited to have you join our EIU family!

Your success at Eastern Illinois University is determined not only by the quality of your academic work, but also by how quickly you connect to the campus. To assist you in your transition, EIU requires you to participate in the orientation and transition programs to assist in your transition. These programs are part of our two-part process to becoming an official EIU student.

Part 1: Orientation

Coming to college opens a new chapter in your life. This transition also raises a number of questions and concerns regarding your first year here at Eastern Illinois University. We promise your Orientation day will provide you with more than a class schedule; it will prepare and excite you for your time at EIU.

Registering for a program

Transfer students will be e-mailed an invitation to the program. The invitation will contain a program reservation link to myEIU. Students will need to complete the reservation form online to secure a program date.

Students Entering Fall 2025 

• Friday, April 4, 2025
• Monday, April 21, 2025
• Monday, June 2, 2025
• Thursday, June 12, 2025
• Tuesday, July 1, 2025
• Wednesday, July 23, 2025
• Thursday, August 21, 2025

To sign up for a session, please login to your MyEIU.  If you have questions, please contact New Student and Family Programs at (217)581-6435 or email nsfp@eiu.edu.

As you prepare for your Orientation day, here are some things that might be helpful:

Check-in:  Check in will begin at 8am in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union.  A light continental breakfast will be provided. 

Schedule of Events:

            8am - Check in begins

            8am-8:45am - Breakfast and Panther Fair

            8:45 – Welcome and Academic Orientation

            9:45am-10:45am – Breakout Sessions

            11am-11:30am – EIU Jeopardy

            11:30am-12pm – Meet the Deans

            12pm-3pm – Academic Advising and Registration (if needed)

            1:30pm-3pm – Campus and Residence Hall Tours (Stevenson Hall and University Court only)

Major:  If you have changed your major since registering for Orientation, please contact New Student and Family Programs prior to your Orientation day so that we connect you with the appropriate advisor.

Parking:  The parking lot adjacent to Stevenson Hall will be available during your visit without a parking permit.  This lot is not ticketed during Orientation.

Accessible parking is available throughout campus. Please contact our office to let us know of any accommodations you and your family may need, and to receive directions to additional parking options around campus. Review our parking map here: https://www.eiu.edu/police/parking.pdf

Directions:  Driving directions to campus can be found here.

Panther Card Photo Upload:  Please upload your photo for your Panther Card prior to your arrival to Orientation.  You can upload your photo by logging into MyEIU and finding the PantherCard item on your checklist.  You will receive your Panther Card at Orientation.

Part 2: Welcome Weekend

You will participate in EIU's Welcome Weekend prior to the Fall semester. For students enrolling in the Fall 2024, you will participate in Welcome Weekend from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24, 2025.

During Welcome Weekend, you will participate in the on-campus programming during the week of move-in. This weekend will give you the chance to get connected to EIU, your peers, and faculty and staff. It will allow you to explore campus, engage in education and social activities, and get a foundation for personal and academic success. You can learn more about Welcome Weekend by clicking here.