Information for First-Year Students

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We're counting down the days until we welcome you home to St. Lawrence! Here you'll find important dates, deadlines, and items to check off your summer "to-do" list. 

Learn About Dates and Deadlines

Beginning in June, newsletters with key information, resources, and deadline reminders are sent out to help students prepare for their next adventure at St. Lawrence. Keep an eye on your inbox and new postings will be saved here as well.

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Students and families are welcome to join us via Zoom on Sundays from 7-8 p.m. (EST) to meet the fabulous folks at St. Lawrence. Drop in when you can and let us answer questions and help you start to make important connections!

Learn More About Sunday Night Campfires

North Country Pre-Orientation Trips are only available for students matriculating in the fall semester.

Students approved for the pre-trips move into their rooms Tuesday, August 19.  Students will receive an email from Residence Life with their arrival time. Pre-Trips 2025 start on Tuesday, August 19 at 4:15 pm and ends in the morning on Saturday, August 23.

The Outdoor Program offers a range of pre-orientation excursions on a first-come, first-serve basis. Trip fees follow a sliding scale ($50-$400) based on need as confirmed by the Financial Aid office; the trip fee covers meals, lodging, some equipment, and transportation. Find more information here on the pre-trips, along with a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? Contact the Outdoor Program at 315-229-5016 or the First-Year Program at 315-229-5909 or email outdoorprogram@stlawu.edu.

You will be able to complete the application form as soon as it is released on your Application Status Page in April.

Application/Preference Forms Due: May 30, 2025

Acceptance notifications e-mailed: Early July

Participation Confirmation (fee and waiver) Due:  July 15, 2025

Check the links below to learn more about student life at St. Lawrence.

• First-Year Program Living -  Learn about why you live with your FYP classmates.
• Residence Life
  • Check out Information for New Students and the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about what's included in your room, what you should (and should not) bring, and other helpful advice.
• Meal Plan Information
• Student Mail Center - Learn about sending mail and packages to campus.  The address is:
  • Student's first and last name
    SLU-SMC
    23 Romoda Drive
    Canton, NY 13617
• Get Involved on Campus
• Campus ID card
• Motor Vehicle and Parking Policy
• Places to Stay
• Health and Counseling Services
• Change of Address

You will find many opportunities as a First-Year student to get engaged on campus, including taking on leadership roles in the first few weeks of the semester.

First-Year Opportunities

• First-Year Cup 
  • One of the first traditions you’ll take part in as a new member of the Laurentian community is the FYP Cup--a chance to enter into some friendly competition against your fellow first-years over the course of your first semester on campus. There are lawn games, trivia, and the much-anticipated song-writing contest, plus ways to earn points by attending events, readings, and presentations across campus.
• Bradley R. Evers Outstanding First-Year Student Awards
• First-Year Council 
  • The First Year Council, in collaboration with SLU’s student government, the Thelomathesian Society, provides leadership within the First Year class. It plans social activities, programs, manages the class social media page, and raises funds for celebrations like Senior Week. Anyone can join First Year Council, and we'll have sign-ups at the club and orientation fair in the second week of the semester; elections for executive positions within the council are in November each year.
• First-Year Research Exchange
• William O'Brien First-Year Research Prizes

Residential Programs

• Your Community Assistant will design several activities in the fall semester to build community and make connections to your FYP course content. 

Student Activities

• Club and Organization Fair
  • Get involved and connected with the student clubs and organizations that create and host events and activities on campus at our Club and Organization Fair, offered at the end of the second week of each semester. Our 100+ student clubs and organizations are excited to welcome new students! 
• Intramurals
• Varsity Sports
• Volunteer Services
• Outdoor Program
• New Clubs and Organizations
  • Don't see what you're looking for? Start a new club or organization! It's not uncommon for first year students and new transfer students to start new clubs, and our Student Activities team has an easy guide to help. 

A St. Lawrence education prepares students to think critically and creatively, to examine and express their ideas and values, to understand those whose beliefs and circumstances may be different from their own, and to pursue an understanding of the natural world and human experience.

To get started on the right path, connect with your academic advisor, who is also your FYP instructor.

Resources to Help Plan Your Education

Explore General Education Requirements

Learn How To Create a Course Plan

Registering for Fall Courses