Orientation

Congratulations on joining the community of artists and scholars at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)!  To help you have a smooth transition, we require all new students to attend a New Student Orientation. This event will help you become integrated into the academic, intellectual, cultural, and social environment and gain a better understanding of the academic and studio experience at SAIC.

New Student Orientation is an online course designed to introduce you to the resources, supports, and experiences you can expect at SAIC. With this course, you can expect to learn about many of the resources and supports available to you as a student at SAIC. Many of the topics covered in the course will be reviewed during in-person Welcome Week programming. 

As an extension of New Student Orientation, Welcome Week is immersive programming where you will engage in small group discussions and social programming. You will continue this experience with your Orientation Leader and will also feature your first Research Studio class meeting with your faculty.

The online experience for New Student Orientation will launch in early August with the online Canvas course. Students and families will receive more information about how to access the online platform in July.

Welcome Week programming will be held August 27-29. All programming will follow recommended COVID-19 guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the SAIC Make Together team.