As a new Colby student, Orientation is designed to first impactful on campus experience. Orientation will be focused on helping you develop a deeper understanding of the amazing academic and personal journey you’re beginning.
COOT is an outdoor-based orientation program required of all first-year Colby students. Trips are designed to be fun and engaging while preparing students for their transition to living and learning on campus.
Students will receive an email from Okta directly with step-by-step instructions to set up their Colby ecosystem. It is very important you do this because all communication past May 15 will be sent to your Colby account. If you’re having any trouble with this process, you should reach out to [email protected]
Workday is your one-stop shop for almost all your administrative processes at Colby. We use it for course selection, transcripts, student employment, and so much more! Onboarding in Workday includes entering important personal information, such as your photo, preferred name, and name pronunciation, (emergency) contact information, and direct deposit. You need to have this done by May 23. If you’re having any trouble with this process, you should reach out to [email protected]
Your Colby ID is how you get into buildings and dining halls. It is literally your ticket around campus. To make sure your ID gets printed, you need to send a recent picture of yourself through the Workday portal once you have it all set up. This needs to be uploaded when you first log in to your Workday portal, but no later than June 1.
Before you arrive on campus in August, you must complete the online orientation and learn about all the exciting things your 4 years at Colby will bring! This platform is open starting May 19. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] for support.
Another important part of getting situated in the Colby ecosystem is completing placement tests or forms for some subjects to know what classes to take. Every placement test is unique and administered by the department directly, so they are the best resource for any questions you might have. Individual placement exam timelines are communicated with students via the Colby Trail newsletter in their Colby email account! The online placement tests all open on May 19 and must be done by June 1 in order to have enough processing time for the placement information to be added to Workday before you register for courses. Some must be completed online, while others must be taken on paper once you’re on campus. Make sure to locate all the tests you need to take by May 19, so you’re ready to take them once they open. All tests are administered by the department in which the subject falls. For support, please reach out to the individual department by following the contact information given with the exam information.
Now that you have your high school diploma in hand, it’s time to look ahead to the next part of your academic journey and decide what classes you want to take at Colby! Fret not, you do not have to do this alone, because June is all about academic advising!
There is seemingly a dizzying array of subjects and courses at Colby to choose from. Start preparing by watching the general academic advising video found on Mule Life. This opens the opportunity to sign up to meet with one or more summer faculty advisors.
After watching the general academic advising video, reserve a spot in one of the group advising sessions with up to seven other students (first-come, first-reserved). These sessions are available every day from June 8 (8 am EDT) to noon on June 16. Meet a few other new mules, discuss how to find courses and assemble a course schedule, and have your questions answered (and hear the answers to other entering students’ questions). Now you are ready to start exploring possible courses in Workday (how tos for Student Workday).
Make several saved schedules for when course registration opens. Check out the advice given by departments for potential majors you are considering (if you have any you are thinking about) and specialty videos [location? Coming by April 28]. Have your questions answered by signing up for a small group advising session (available starting in the afternoon June 16 and all day every day through June 21, except Juneteenth, June 19) so you’ll have everything you need to make confident and informed choices about your first Colby courses.
Course registration opens on Monday, June 22, at 9:00 am. Your goal is to register for at least 12 credits and ideally 16±1 credits. If you don’t get into a course, you can choose to add yourself to its waitlist. Meanwhile, find another course to register for that is acceptable in case a spot doesn’t open up for you. Be open to taking a course in a subject you have never explored and look to fulfill distribution requirements. Summer Faculty Advisors will be available to answer questions in a drop-in Zoom room from 8-8 M-F June 22-26 and by email the rest of the summer.
Alongside your academic journey, it is also important to know where you’re going to live. This brings us to the housing process. Colby is a residential college, so almost all students will live in the dorms for all 4 years of their college career.
All incoming students MUST complete the housing application to be assigned on-campus housing. When filling out the application on the Colby Housing Portal, we request that you answer fully and honestly, reflecting on who you are right now and what your current preferences are for a shared living environment. Colby believes that beginning your college journey is an exciting opportunity to build new relationships and learn from your peers. The application opens the week of June 15. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] for support.
Students who are seeking a housing accommodation/request will be able to make their request on the housing application. Please be sure to select the appropriate box on the application to note that you are seeking a housing accommodation/request.
An important part of settling into your ecosystem is discovering what your healthcare is going to look like! This is your time to schedule your check-ins with your primary care provider and get your documentation over to the team at MaineGeneral College Health.
In order to keep Mayflower Hill as healthy as we can, the team at the Colby student health center, MaineGeneral College Health, requires that all incoming students complete an Immunization Form, a Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Form, and submit documentation of health insurance coverage. Student athletes must only complete one additional Physical Examination Form. To do this, you will need to make an appointment with your family doctor. Make sure to give yourself enough time to see them and send in your forms. Detailed instructions about accessing and completing these forms were sent to your Colby email address through the Colby Trail newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] for support.
As you think about settling in, we also want you to think about where you’ll be living – The State of Maine. Maine is known for its breathtaking outdoors, and you will have the ability to explore this through Colby’s unique orientation experience, known as COOT! As you consider moving in, the COOT is hard at work ensuring that all students are matched with a trip they feel comfortable going on. To help our awesome COOT committee, make sure to send them your preferences by completing your COOT registration.
COOT is a three-day, peer-led experience that takes students to outdoor destinations throughout Maine. Each trip is organized around a specific theme or activity; while many focus on traditional outdoor recreation, we offer a range of options designed to be accessible to a diverse student body. See the trip descriptions here. Our goal is to ensure that every student can find a trip that matches their interests and comfort level. Registration opens in late-June—if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] for support.
If you are an International Student or you identify as a first-generation college student or a student from a low- or limited-income background, we encourage you to attend Pre-Orientation. Sign-ups for Pre-Orientation are live and end on June 21st.
If you identify as a first-generation college student and/or a student from a low- or limited-income background, we invite you to complete the FLI Interest Form. This survey allows you to express interest in opportunities such as FLI Pre-Orientation, mentorship programs, and other FLI events throughout the year.Submitting the form is required for students who wish to participate in FLI Pre-Orientation, mentorship programs, or other FLI opportunities.
Please complete the form by June 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
As an incoming international student, participation in Pre-Orientation (Pre-O) is mandatory. The Pre-Orientation is a program designed to welcome international students to campus, help you get settled, and introduce you to the resources available to ensure you succeed at Colby. Pre-O will take place from September 1 (Tuesday) to September 2 (Wednesday). International students may move into campus beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST on Monday, August 31.
Please complete your registration by June 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
July is all about making sure you’re ready to move onto Mayflower Hill. This includes making sure all your forms are turned in.
All incoming students MUST complete the housing application to be assigned on-campus housing. When filling out the application, we request that you answer fully and honestly, reflecting on who you are right now and what your current preferences are for a shared living environment. Colby believes that beginning your college journey is an exciting opportunity to build new relationships and learn from your peers. The application opens the week of June 15. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] for support.
Students who are seeking a housing accommodation/request will be able to make their request on the housing application. Please be sure to select the appropriate box on the application to note that you are seeking a housing accommodation/request.
The Colby Office of Residential Experience works hard to match students with roommates and place them in housing for the upcoming academic year. Housing assignments are expected to be released by Friday, July 31. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] for support.
You have your classes, a dorm, a COOT assignment, and you’re almost ready to be on Mayflower Hill! It’s time to take care of last-minute logistics to make you a confident and prepared new mule when you step onto campus!
Before you arrive on campus in August, you must complete the online orientation and learn about all the exciting things Colby has to offer!
Make sure you’ve turned in all your health forms: for immunizations, tuberculosis screening, and health insurance documentation!
Please follow the directions in your COOT placement email for your required waivers. If you have any questions please email [email protected]
Successful completion of the FYE program (including attending and actively participating in all 10 weekly meetings for their FYE group) will satisfy Colby’s First-Year Experience (FYE) requirement. The FYE is part of the overall First-Year Wellness Requirement that all students must satisfy as a graduation requirement. Look to your emails from your class dean for more information!
With that, you have completed your journey to being a successful new mule that is Mayflower Hill ready! Keep daring northward, and we will see you on September 3rd when you move in!
We are eagerly awaiting your arrival to Mayflower Hill! Our Orientation page provides you with all of the latest information and helpful resources to make your first few days on campus seamless and enjoyable!
Below are some of the questions asked by incoming first-year students. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact the Office of Residential Experience, [email protected], x4280 for housing questions or Orientation, [email protected] for COOT and the First Year Experience questions or the Dean of Students Office, [email protected] , x4255 for all other questions.
Yes, credit may be given if the courses were not part of a dual enrollment or early college high school program, and were taken on the campus of an accredited, degree-granting institution along with other college students and taught by a college professor. Colby’s registrar ([email protected]) will review your college transcript and determine how many, if any, credits will transfer for a particular course. Alternatively, a course may fulfill distribution requirements and/or serve as a prerequisite to a higher-level course, even if it doesn’t earn credit hours toward the 128 required for graduation.
Yes, your financial aid may be used for all approved study abroad programs, including those that are open to first year students in Salamanca and Dijon. A number of domestic exchange programs also permit you to use Colby aid. In any of these courses of study, student aid is based on the actual cost of the program up to a maximum of Colby’s expense budget.
Fall first-year athletes arrive on campus for orientation like all other first-year students. Any exception will be at the directive of the coach. Most people coming from a distance stay over the night before in local accommodations to get an early start on orientation day. On that day you check into your room and you may have a team meeting and one practice, depending on each coach’s particular schedule. Try outs and practices will resume after your return from COOT.
This spring a packet will be sent to you and it will include (among other items) course registration materials.
All full-time Colby students may work on campus regardless if they have been awarded a work-study grant or not. Certain times of the year job availability can be limited but the student employment office staff is available to give you some direction to help you start your campus search. Students have access to the Student Employment tab for more information.
Yes, all students, including first-years, are allowed to have cars on campus and parking is available in campus parking lots. All vehicles must be registered with the Department of Security and a student parking sticker displayed on the vehicle.
The College supplies a bed, a mattress (not a twin size – at 36″ x 80″, they are considered “extra long”), a desk with a chair, a wardrobe/closet, and a dresser for each person. You will need to bring your own bed linens (twin size contour sheets are not suggested, as they will not fit your bed), a mattress pad, a pillow, blankets, a bedspread, and towels. You’ll receive a mailing from the Residence Hall Linens company this summer. Due to limited storage facilities for bed frames, Colby discourages the practice of constructing lofts. A wastebasket is essential, but should be made of metal. Tapestry-type ceiling/wall hangings, candles, oil lamps, and incense are not permitted as they present a potential fire hazard.
If Colby was listed as a recipient of your scores, we will receive your scores at about the same time you do. Credits shown will not count toward the 128 required for graduation, but can be used for advanced course placement and to satisfy distribution requirements. Individual AP exemptions will appear on the Web as they are posted. Until then, sign up for your courses as if you had not taken the APs.
The Registrar will review all scores received and automatically implement appropriate exemptions and placement using your alternate choices.
If you took any AP exams before your senior year (before you knew you were coming to Colby), but none in your senior year, you should write to the testing service and have those results sent. (Colby’s CEEB number is 3280.)
How do I send packages ahead of time?
Address packages to:
Your Name
Colby College
#### Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-88##
(Your four-digit box number will be assigned in mid-August. The last two digits of the zipcode correspond with the first two digits of the Mayflower Hill box number – ie. 7620 Mayflower Hill will use 04901-8876 for the zip)
You will then be able to pick them up upon your arrival. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept packages before August 15 due to space limitations.
The halls will not be available until check-in, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Athletic Center. Most students coming from a distance will stay overnight the night before in local motels.
Colby wouldn’t be Colby without our neighbors in Waterville. Just down Mayflower Hill, our hometown city provides an easy outlet for dinner and a movie with friends, shopping at many major national retailers, one-on-one mentoring with local children, and internships with community organizations. Ten minutes from campus, the Quarry Road Recreation Area offers hiking, biking, and skiing trails. On the horizon: a downtown residence hall with a civic engagement focus that will make it even easier for interested students to combine learning with community partnerships.
