<a href="/live/image/gid/698/width/650/106261_F94A7135.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image106261"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg" alt="New Student Peer Mentors from Fall 2024" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/106261_F94A7135.rev.1744996863.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2133" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption">New Student Peer Mentors from Fall 2024</div>
<a href="/live/image/gid/698/width/650/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image83579"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83579_EVNT-E2-0819-0002_2.rev.1588091369.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="690" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="960" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>
<a href="/live/image/gid/698/width/650/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image100322"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.webp 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.webp 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100322_CAS-0823-Entering_Class_on_the_Glade-6381.rev.1695227129.jpg" alt="The incoming class of 2023! " width="1440" height="690" data-max-w="2121" data-max-h="1414" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption">The incoming class of 2023! </div>
<a href="/live/image/gid/698/width/650/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image83581"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/83581_EVNT-E2-0819-0120_2.rev.1588091370.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="690" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="960" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"></div>
<a href="/live/image/gid/698/width/650/100315__INK6582.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image100315"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/500/height/240/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 800px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/698/width/800/height/383/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 1200px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 1201px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg" alt="The 2023 New Student Peer Mentors" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/698/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/100315__INK6582.rev.1695162923.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2133" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption">The 2023 New Student Peer Mentors</div>

/ First-Year Experience/New Student Orientation (NSO)

New Student Orientation (NSO)

We’re so excited to meet you! During the week before classes start in the fall, Lewis & Clark’s New Student Orientation (NSO) helps our incoming first-year and transfer students get acquainted with campus, student life, resources, and peers.

NSO 2025 will be from Thursday, August 28th through Sunday, August 31th.

Welcome to Your First Day at L&C

The excitement has been building all summer, and it is finally time for you to start the orientation process! You may have gone on a New Student Trip or another pre-orientation program, or you may be stepping on to campus for the first time. No matter what stage you’re at, our orientation team is ready to make these few days a success for you.

There was a tangible sense of excitement on campus during NSO. We all felt like we were embarking on a beautiful journey with numerous opportunities ahead of us. Having my peers by my side reassured me that I wouldn’t go through college alone.
Colin J. Blume BA ’26
Rhetoric and Media Studies | Art and Art History | Irvine, California
More about Colin
The thing I remember most about my NSO was going stargazing. It was the first time I really felt like I was in a community on campus!
Peter Smith BA ’24
History | Pullman, Washington
More about Peter
Attending the Gagged show during New Student Orientation literally changed my life for the better! I cannot wait for their next show here on campus.
May Rah BA ’28
Biology | Portland, Oregon
More about May

It’s Time to Start Your Journey

The day has finally arrived; you’re on campus! Lewis & Clark’s engaged community is ready to welcome you with open arms. Your first day on campus is a big one: You’ll get your room key, meet your roommate(s), and start getting to know your new home. Don’t worry, there is plenty of fun to go around—our Parent and Family Preview event is a great opportunity for your biggest supporters to get to know L&C, too!

Move Into Your Residence Hall

Time to move in! For most students, moving into a residence hall is the first step during orientation. New Student Peer Mentors and Campus Living staff members will help you find your way around campus and answer all your questions.

Take Care of Financial Aid

Need to check in about financial aid? No problem! Our stellar team at the Office of Financial Aid are a short walk from our residence halls in Fowler Student Center, ready to help.

Belonging at L&C

From annual events like stargazing on campus or our silent disco to more casual chats during lunch about the excitement of starting college, there are lots of opportunities to start finding a sense of home at L&C during orientation.

Meet Your NSO Group

Your orientation group is led by a New Student Peer Mentor who will guide you through the next few days. But don’t worry, they don’t disappear after orientation. Your peer mentor stays connected with their group all year to ensure the best first-year experience possible for our students.

All About Academics

Time to get studious! With language placement exams, department open houses, and more, there is no shortage of learning opportunities this week. The Lewis & Clark New Student Orientation schedule is packed full of events just for you.

Academic Fair

At the academic fair, all of our academic departments, programs, and support services are represented. Here, you can check out areas of study, discover campus resources, and meet the faculty members that you will learn from during your time at L&C.

Meet Your Advisor

Set yourself up for success and get to know your college advisor. They will guide you through your academic journey and help keep you on track for graduation.

Your Health and Safety at L&C

Staying safe and healthy on and off campus is essential. We’ll set you up for success with the right resources to thrive at L&C through discussions around academic, mental, physical, emotional, environmental, and spiritual wellness.

Campus Safety

Our Campus Safety officers are on call 24/7, ready to respond to any issues our community members encounter.

Health and Wellness on Campus

We believe that holistic wellness—mind, body, and soul—is imperative to student success.

NSO Traditions

Our annual class photo on the Glade is a trademark starting symbol for your time at L&C!

<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> Attending a New Student Trip was the best decision I could have made as an incoming student. It provided me with an opportunity to meet new people, and it helped me transition into my new life in college. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16647-adam-schwarz">Adam Schwarz BA ’23</a> Daly City, California </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> This last summer, I was a leader of the sustainability-focused New Student Trip, which was awesome. We explored the Columbia River Gorge and learned about various aspects of sustainability. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19007-elsa-horsted">Elsa Horsted BA ’25</a> Roseville, Minnesota </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> My New Student Trip was great. I became super close with the other students, and it helped so much to start school with a support system already in place. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18309-jemma-montgomery">Jemma Montgomery BA ’23</a> Minneapolis, Minnesota </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> Going on a New Student Trip was really beneficial as a gentle yet adventurous transition from high school into college. My NST introduced me to other incoming students as well as current ones, so when the school year started I had already established a group of people with whom I could comfortably spend time. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16677-erika-hutchinson">Erika Hutchinson BA ’22</a> Fort Collins, Colorado </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> My New Student Trip was a great first experience to have at the college. Everyone was welcoming, and it was really helpful to start classes and orientation with some friends I had already made. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20604-clover-sinning">Clover Sinning BA ’26</a> Minneapolis, Minnesota </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> Making bonds with other incoming first years made the transition to an entirely new environment much less daunting. I’m still great friends with a lot of the people I met on my New Student Trip! </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18340-avi-strok">Avi Strok BA ’25</a> Los Angeles, California </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> My NST motivated me to want to lead the Creative PDX trip when it was introduced. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21557-phoenix-cox">Phoenix Cox BA ’24</a> Bellevue, Washington </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> There were multiple people from my virtual new student trip that were in my NSO group, and seeing the familiar faces made me feel more comfortable and willing to be open. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14619-jason-kowalski">Jason Kowalski BA ’23</a> Vancouver, Washington </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> I went on a <a href="https://www.lclark.edu/programs/college_outdoors/programs/nst/">New Student Trip</a> to the Columbia River Gorge. I am so glad I did because I was able to meet so many great people prior to classes starting. It also gave me a sneak peak of what Lewis & Clark would be like. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14672-keilani-vega">Keilani Vega BA ’22</a> Pasadena, California </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> I think everyone should go on a New Student Trip, as it’s a great opportunity to create long-lasting friendships. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18272-julia-einaudi">Julia Einaudi BA ’25</a> Seattle, Washington </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> My New Student Trip was a great starting point for making friends, exploring my interests, and learning about L&C before I arrived on campus. It also released the stress of entering a completely new environment. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14605-lucia-sheridan">Lucia Sheridan BA ’23</a> Saugatuck, Michigan </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> I always recommend incoming students take a New Student Trip because it was one of the most formative experiences for me coming into college. The memories and connections I made from the trip are everlasting. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16989-venus-edlin">Venus Edlin BA ’23</a> San Jose, California </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> My New Student Trip was one of the best things I’ve done at Lewis & Clark. I went on a backpacking trip, and everything that they’ll tell you (e.g. it’s a great chance to meet people and dip your toe in the L&C community) is true. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16678-will-toppin">Will Toppin BA ’23</a> Conifer, Colorado </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> Before coming to L&C, I had a pretty daunting idea of what college might look like. My New Student Trip really threw those ideas to the wayside and showed me that I wasn’t alone and that there is a place and a community for everyone. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18354-mack-mae">Mack Mae BA ’25</a> Ogden, Utah </blockquote>
<blockquote> <div class="lw_profiles_329"> I will be forever thankful that I participated in a New Student Trip. I still have friends that were on my trip, and it is always great to see familiar faces on campus the first few weeks of classes. </div> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17697-eli-bricknell">Eli Bricknell ’24</a> Seattle, Washington; Kalamazoo, Michigan </blockquote>

Giving Back to the Community

NSO Service Day is an annual Lewis & Clark tradition organized by NSO and the Center for Social Change and Community Engagement, designed to connect incoming undergraduates with Portlanders working for change.

Service Day

Our annual NSO Service Day connects our students to our greater Portland community through immersive volunteer work. In collaboration with our partner organizations, you will start to make an impact even before your first day of classes.

Dinner and Evening Events

After a full day of service and getting to know your peers, fill your cup (literally!) in our dining hall with your orientation group. Our student leaders host events—like stargazing on the lawn, silent disco, and more—in the evenings to promote engagement and relaxation for our new students.

After NSO, It’s Your First Day of Classes

Classes have begun, and the fun is just beginning! Our annual activities fair by Student Engagement and other campus meet and greets are still happening. Now’s the time to try new things; consider branching out and joining a club or two! All our staff, faculty, and student leaders are here to support you and help you find your sense of belonging.