Graduate & Professional Student Orientation Activities

new Pitt grad students posing with Panther mascot Roc during orientation picnic

Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh! We are planning numerous events to orient our new graduate or professional students to Pitt and Pittsburgh. This website will help you navigate all the activities so you don't miss out on important information about resources and opportunities to engage with your peers from all of the 14 graduate schools. 

student attendng graduate student resource fair
University-wide Orientation – August 20, 2024

Hosted by the Office of the Provost – Graduate Studies, all incoming graduate and professional students are invited to this University-wide Orientation event to meet key administrative and student leaders. The speakers will introduce you to Pitt and highlight services available to you. Attend the Resource Fair to talk to representatives from over 60 units available to support you. The event concludes with a welcome picnic featuring student organizations from across campus. 

Download the 2024 orientation program slides:

students attending international grad student orientation cruise
International Student Orientation - August 12, 2024

The Office of International Services (OIS) will host a welcome session on Monday, August 12, 2024, and will introduce international students to the OIS staff, services, and upcoming events. Send any questions to OISnew@pitt.edu.

You can also learn more about the OIS orientation program for new graduate students or view the calendar of events for all incoming international students.

social work grad students talking on cathedral lawn
School- and Program-level Orientations (days and times vary)

Your school or program orientation will provide you information about your academic program and requirements including advising and registering for classes.

See more information about each school's new-student orientation schedule and related website links.

students sitting and talking on lawn
New Teaching Assistant Orientation - August 23, 2024

The event will introduce new teaching assistants (TAs) to their roles and responsibilities as TAs and provide them with training in skills to help fulfill those roles.

View TA Orientation details and register

student carrying trans flag
Queer & Trans at Pitt Ice Cream Social and Resource Fair

The University is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for students who identify as trans or non-binary. At the Queer & Trans ice cream social and resource fair, students will be provided with the opportunity to talk with faculty, staff and students about University resources, including chosen name initiatives, student organizations, campus facilities and much more. This event is sponsored by the University’s Transgender Working Group.

students playing Jenga at grad orientation picnic
Build Your Pitt Community

Pitt Commons is an online platform that can help you to establish networking and mentoring relationships with other Pitt students, faculty, staff, alumni, and postdocs.

Visit Pitt Commons to learn more and sign up to join the community.