Please make note of the Blazer Beginnings schedule before making travel arrangements – all portions of Blazer Beginnings are required unless specifically marked as optional.
Note for Summer or Fall 2027 First-Time Freshmen: If you graduated from high school before 2026, choose the Transfer & Non-Traditional tab. If you graduate(d) from high school in 2026 or 2027, choose the Freshman tab.
-
Freshman Dates
Spring
Freshmen starting in the Spring term must make a reservation for a Transfer & Non-Traditional Orientation date.
Summer/Fall
For more details about what will happen at Blazer Beginnings, view the schedule for the below dates.
Honors College — Summer/Fall Honors Freshmen Only
Students must formally accept their Honors College offer in order to make a reservation for an Honors College orientation date. Please note that each of these dates includes a mandatory honors session the evening of the first day of orientation. This will include honors advising and information as well as an honors family dinner with faculty, staff, and current students.
- Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1-2, 2027
- Thursday and Friday, June 3-4, 2027
- Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8-9, 2027
Summer/Fall Freshmen
- Wednesday and Thursday, May 26-27, 2027
Fall Freshmen
- Thursday and Friday, June 10-11, 2027
- Monday and Tuesday, June 14-15, 2027
- Wednesday and Thursday, June 16-17, 2027
- Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22-23, 2027
- Thursday and Friday, June 24-25, 2027 (Blazing Start)
- Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13-14, 2027 (Blazing Start)
- Thursday and Friday, July 15-16, 2027
- Wednesday and Thursday, July 21-22, 2027 (Blazing Start)
- Friday and Saturday, July 23-24 2027 (Birmingham Promise, Blazing Start)
NOTE: If you are in Birmingham Promise or Blazing Start, you should select one of the designated dates noted above. Fall freshmen not in those programs are also welcome to select those dates.
International and Out-of-State Fall Freshmen
- Thursday and Friday, August 19-20, 2027
NOTE: International/Out-of-State Fall Freshmen are also welcome to attend any of the above dates for Fall Freshmen.
Please note that all fees associated with orientation (including the Freshman Enrollment Deposit, guest fees, and housing fees) are NON-REFUNDABLE.
If you are unable to make a reservation for orientation online, please contact the Office of New Student Programs at (205) 975-7999 for instructions regarding mailed payments. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the orientation requirement.
-
Transfer/Non-Traditional Dates
When you are selecting an orientation date, please note that some orientation sessions will be offered virtually and some will be offered on campus. Attendance at orientation programming is required whether participating in an on-campus or virtual session. For more details about what will happen at Blazer Beginnings, view the schedules for the below dates.
Spring
- Thursday, November 19, 2026 – Spring (Evening, On Campus)
- Monday, December 14, 2026 – Spring (Daytime, Virtual – Live on Zoom)
- Friday, January 8, 2027 – Spring (Daytime, On Campus)
Summer/Fall
- Friday, May 7, 2027 – Summer/Fall (Daytime, Virtual – Live on Zoom)
- Friday, May 28, 2026 – Summer/Fall (Daytime, On Campus)
- Saturday, June 12, 2027 – Summer/Fall (Daytime, Virtual – Live on Zoom)
- Monday, July 19, 2027 – Summer/Fall (Evening, On Campus)
- Wednesday, August 18, 2027 – Summer/Fall (Daytime, On Campus)
NOTE: All fees associated with orientation (including the Freshman Enrollment Deposit, guest fees, and housing fees) are NON-REFUNDABLE.
If you are unable to make a reservation for orientation online, please contact the Office of New Student Programs at (205) 975-7999 for instructions regarding mailed payments. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the orientation requirement.