Information For

Incoming Students

Welcome to Norwich University

Norwich Rook Student Arrival with family

Norwich Civilian Student Arrival with family

We are thrilled to welcome you to Norwich University, home of the Cadets and birthplace of ROTC.

Transitioning to college is a process. All of our programs help students to develop a sense of their personal goals, make connections with peers, faculty, and staff, and build a sense of community and context, which will lay a foundation for their time at Norwich. We support both academic and social transitions to Norwich University. Don't worry, parents and families. Find additional information for new families.

We’re counting the days to your arrival and can’t wait to see you on The Hill.

Arrival Days

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Fall Arrival Schedule

Tuesday 11 August	0900 to 1200	Fall Athletes – football
Wednesday 12 August	1200 to 1600	ROTC – Ranger Team Corps – All S-4 (Regimental & Battalion) Uniform Store Detail Regiment CMD Team and Staff OICs (R/CO, XO, CSM, S1-S6 OICs) HHC CMD Team (CO, XO, & 1SG)
Saturday 15 August	By Request	Civilian – Leaders [Exec Staff] and Orientation SOCs Corps – Retention and Transition Team OIC, AOIC, and NCOIC New Students – PROVO FTX Participants flying alone
Sunday 16 August	0900 to 1200	FTX Arrival Day New Students – Corps Band/Drill/Cavalry FTX Participants Corps – All Battalion CMD Team & Staff, All PROVO BN, All CTC Leaders [B,D,F,H], Remaining Regimental Staff
Wednesday 19 August	0900 to 1200	Civilian – Resident Assistants Corps – Retention and Transition Team Members New Students – International Rooks
Thursday 20 August	0900 to 1200 By Request	Civilian – Orientation Leaders Fall Athletes – men’s and women’s rugby New Students – NROTC Prep & Scholarship (All)
Friday 21 August	0900 to 1200	New Students – Rooks flying in alone Fall Athletes – volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, cross-country Corps – Line Unit Leaders [A, C, E, G]
Saturday 22 August	0800 to 1200	Rook Arrival Day New Students – Rooks
Sunday 23 August	0800 to 1200	Fall Athletes – golf
Tuesday 25 August	By Request	New Students – Civilian students flying in alone
Wednesday 26 August	0800 to 1200	Civilian New Student Arrival Day New Students – Civilian Residential Students, Civilian Commuters, Flexible Pathways, International Students Corps – Exchange students
Saturday & Sunday 29-30 August	0900 to 1600	Civilian – Returning Civilian Students Corps – Returning Corps Students
Monday 31 August		First Day of Classes / Start of Add/Drop Start of Late Arrivals
Monday 08 September		End of Add/Drop, End of Late Arrivals

Rook Arrival Information

Congratulations on your decision to join the Norwich University Corps of Cadets. With the right attitude, focus, and resilience, you will develop intellectually, morally, and physically, and grow as a person and leader. This page provides essential information to help you matriculate into the Corps of Cadets and begin your military college journey successfully.

Key steps before arrival

Rook Arrival Day: All Rooks must report on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. You cannot arrive late, and early arrivals must be approved! If you have questions, contact the Admissions Office or email your admissions counselor.
Start Ready: Complete all required administrative documents in the Student Portal by the deadline. Be truthful on your medical release form. You cannot start Rook training without medical clearance, including a physical completed within six months of arrival and documented by your primary care physician on the Norwich University medical forms.
NU Living: Log in to the NU Living Portal to complete your housing application.
Rook Packing List: Follow the Rook packing list exactly. For questions, contact the Commandant's Office.
Shipping: If you need to ship items, address packages as follows:
RCT Last Name, First Name
Norwich University
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663
Contact the mailroom at 802-485-2205 or mailroom@norwich.edu for details.
Housing Form and Company Assignment: Rooks are assigned by academic major/school to B, D, F, or H company. The company assignment will be posted in early August on the NU Living portal. Complete your housing form on the NU Living Portal.
First-Year Uniform Measurements: Submit your uniform measurements form.
Training Expectations: You must be mentally and physically prepared for Rook Initial Entry Training. Review training expectations. If you decide the Corps lifestyle is not for you, talk to your admissions counselor about starting as a civilian student and possibly joining the Corps in your second year.
Physical Fitness Readiness: Begin conditioning now! The Corps of Cadets fitness test includes hand-release push-ups, plank, and a two-mile run. View the NU CC fitness program.

Special arrival instructions

Ceremonial Unit FTX: If you are participating in the Provisional Battalion’s Ceremonial Unit FTX (Band, Cavalry, Drill), you must be registered and report on FTX Arrival Day on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. If you have not registered or have questions, contact CSM Bruce Sanborn at bsanborn@norwich.edu or 802-485-2039. You may arrive in civilian attire and will be assigned a room upon arrival. Note that the required dress for Rook Arrival Day (Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026) is needed.
Varsity Athletes: If you intend to play a fall varsity sport, your coach will invite you to their preseason camp. If so, you will be assigned your designated room upon arrival. Civilian attire is approved for preseason camp. Note that the required dress for Rook Arrival Day (Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026) is needed.
Vehicles are NOT allowed on campus for first-year students. If you feel you have a need for a vehicle, it must be approved.

Rook Arrival Day procedures

Arrive on Aug. 22, 2026, by 11:30 a.m. in prescribed attire (see Rook Packing List). If you cannot arrive on time or believe you need to arrive early, contact your admissions counselor. Late arrivals may prevent you from enrolling as a recruit.
Upon arrival, road guards will direct you to the Start Ready check-in station. If any administrative actions are incomplete, you will be directed to the Start Ready “Get Well” location before proceeding.
After check-in, you will receive your company and barracks assignment and proceed to the Upper Parade Ground (UP) for company check-in.
At your barracks, remain in your vehicle while upper-class cadets assist with your gear. Your driver must then park in the designated lot and meet you at Kreitzberg Arena.
Meet your cadet leaders, receive your room key, Rook items, and move your gear into your room (do not unpack yet).
Proceed to Plumley Armory for your initial Rook issue (PT uniform and robe).
Return to your barracks with the issued items to complete the reporting process.

After check-in

Enjoy lunch at Wise Campus Center at your assigned time. You may visit the Bookstore, Uniform Store, Sullivan Museum, or explore campus.
Be seated in Shapiro Field House by 2:30 p.m. for the Welcome Ceremony. You may sit with family and friends. At the end, Rooks will have seven minutes to say goodbye before moving to their assigned seat.
No in-person contact with family will occur until Family Weekend. Refer to Parents of Rooks FAQs below.
After the ceremony, Rook platoons will line up and move to the Upper Parade Ground. Family members are not allowed on the UP after the ceremony. Please join us for a reception under a tent outside Shapiro Field House. We have a meaningful task for family members. Once training begins, deliveries for recruits can be made at the Cadet Guard Room or Commandant’s Office at Jackman Hall.

Support and contact

For questions, contact the Office of the Commandant at 802-485-2135 or commandant@norwich.edu.
For admissions questions, call 802-485-2001 or email your admissions counselor.
For mailroom questions, call 802-485-2205 or email mailroom@norwich.edu.
See the Parents of Rooks FAQ for more information.

Civilian Arrival

Essential information to help you begin your college journey successfully.

Key Steps Before Arrival

Start Ready: Complete all required administrative documents in the Student Portal by the designated deadline. This includes your medical forms, which must reflect a physical exam conducted within six months of arrival and documented by your primary care provider.

Housing: Log in to the Housing Portal at norwich.starrezhousing.com/StarRezPortalX to complete your housing application if you have not done so already.

Shipping: If you plan to ship items to campus, please address packages as follows:

First Name, Last Name
Norwich University
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663

For questions, contact the Mailroom at 802-485-2205 or mailroom@norwich.edu.

Special Arrival Instructions

Varsity Athletes: If you are participating in a fall varsity sport, your coach will notify you of your arrival schedule.

Civilian Arrival Day Procedures

Arrival Time: Plan to arrive by noon. If you are unable to arrive on time, please contact your admissions counselor or Residence Life at nureslife@norwich.edu.

Check-in: Upon arrival, road guards will direct you to the Start Ready check-in station at Milano Ballroom.

Residence Hall Move-in: After check-in, proceed to your assigned residence hall. Student leaders will be stationed there to assist with the check-in process. Have your fast check-in QR Code ready.

Farewell & Orientation Kickoff: After lunch, students will say goodbye to their families and join their Orientation groups.

Support and Contact Information

Residence Life: For housing or move-in questions, contact the Residence Life Office at 802-485-2120 or email nureslife@norwich.edu.

Admissions: For admissions-related inquiries, call 802-485-2001 or reach out to your assigned admissions counselor via email.

Mailroom: For questions about shipping or receiving packages, contact the Mailroom at 802-485-2205 or email mailroom@norwich.edu.

Visit the Residential Life FAQ for more detailed information.

Arrival & Orientation

Required New Rook Actions & Important Resources

Campus Information & Resources

GETTING TO CAMPUS

Whether you are checking out the University for the first time, visiting your student, or reuniting with your classmates, you can travel to beautiful Vermont via planes, trains or automobiles with plenty of local accommodations to choose from.

View Area Accommodations

NEW FAMILIES

Acceptance to Norwich University today is the first step to becoming the leaders of tomorrow. We are dedicated to developing students who aspire to lead and serve with integrity and confidence. Our students are driven to succeed and are resilient enough to withstand challenges during their time here, all while being committed to academic growth and making positive contributions in their communities.

View Information for New Families

LIFE at NORWICH

Here, you will go beyond to engage your body and stretch your mind, leveraging the landscape and Norwich student resources. Whether you are learning, training, or playing, visit the Shaw Outdoor Center for free access to outdoor recreational equipment and trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, trail running, and more.

Learn more about Campus Life

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Norwich University Department of Public Safety provides a 24-hour physical security presence, 365 days a year. As the face of Norwich University, the Department of Public Safety has the objective to be helpful and responsive, and serve as an important community resource.

View the Department of Public Safety

STUDENT PARKING

Freshman are not allowed to have vehicles on campus. In special situations, when freshmen need a vehicle on campus, they will need to get the approval of the Dean of Students or Commandant of Cadets before applying for a permit and will only be issued one if permits are available.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Academic success is a cornerstone of our mission. Norwich's resources and services along with their staff are committed to enhancing the student learning experiences. From peer tutoring and study groups to academic advising and specialized research assistance, our goal is to facilitate a strong foundation for intellectual growth and achievement.

View Student Resources & Services