New Student Orientation

2019 New Student Orientation Schedule

All new students are required to participate in New Student Orientation beginning 

Sunday, Sept. 1

  • Wed, Aug 28 : International Student Move In
  • Thurs, Aug 29 : International Student Orientation
  • Fri, Aug 30 : International Student Orientation
  • Sat, Aug 31 : All Student Move In
  • Sun, Sept 1 : All Student, Family, and Friends Convocation and Orientation
  • Mon, Sep 2 : All Student Orientation, and Block Party
  • Tues, Sept 3 : School and Program Orientations
  • Wed, Sept 4 : School and Program Orientations
  • Thurs, Sept 5 : Course Advising Day and In-Person Registration
  • Fri, Sept 6 : Advising and Mentoring Follow Up


CalArts Orientation Schedule

Download the complete orientation schedule to your phone to access the most up-to-date information.

Download 2019 Orientation App (Coming Soon)

How To Get To CalArts

Driving from Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles or the Burbank Airport: Drive north on Interstate 5; exit at McBean Parkway; turn right (east) on McBean; our driveway is the next right.

Driving From Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or LAX: Drive north on Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway) until it becomes Interstate 5 northbound; exit at McBean Parkway; turn right (east) on McBean; our driveway is the next right.

Driving From Northern California: take Interstate 5 south to Valencia; exit at McBean Parkway; turn left (east) on McBean; cross the freeway overpass; our driveway is the first right after crossing the overpass.

Parking on campus is free. Students who plan on driving to campus for classes must register your vehicle at the Facilities Office Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

Mailing Boxes and Luggage

We understand that you may need to mail things to yourself at CalArts. Please make sure that your items arrive after you are here on campus. There is no long term storage in the mailroom. Please make sure to use the mailbox number that has been assigned to you. You will learn your mailbox number once you complete the online registration process on the CalArts Academic Services website.

You can also print the orientation schedule with the PDF below:

Print/View 2019 Orientation Schedule (Coming Soon)

Academic Advising

During Orientation the Office of Academic Advising will be offering one-on-one meetings for new incoming BFA students, where you can meet with an Academic Advisor and get information on your Critical Studies and overall degree requirements. The Advisors can answer a wide range of questions to help you get prepared for the upcoming Fall semester!

To book a meeting with Cy or Brian on September 3, 4, or 6, please use the appointment links below. When signing up for a meeting, please click into the time slot and put your name where it reads "(No Title)".

If you have any specific questions before you arrive on campus, or need help booking a meeting, please email academicadvising@calarts.edu.

Housing Information

If you will be living on-campus during the 2019-2020 academic year look for a separate mailing form from Housing for more details about living on campus.Please note that each student residing on-campus has a specific room check-in appointment time

There is a schedule of events and meeting times specifically for on-campus residents. All incoming students (BFA and MFA) will be eligible to move into their on-campus residence on Saturday, August 31st (August 28th for international students). Please refer to your mailing from Housing for your designated move-in time.

If you plan to live off campus you will need to allow plenty of time to search for an apartment or house. Off-campus housing information can be found on our Campus Life pages.