Welcome to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Wake Forest University, new students! We’re excited to have you join our community of creative scholars, passionate innovators, and compassionate change makers. Our start-of-year events will introduce you to the graduate student community and familiarize you with the University so you feel right at home here in the Forest. We can’t wait to see you in August!

Mandatory New Student Orientation

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will hold mandatory orientation for all new incoming Reynolda Campus students from 9am to 12pm at the Barn at Reynolda. You will learn about core policies, services, and resources here in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and meet your fellow incoming students. Check in begins at 8:30am. See below for location and parking details.

A light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided for all students. If you have any special dietary needs or allergies, please email graduate@wfu.edu.


Student IDs will be distributed at New Student Orientation. An agenda will be distributed via email and posted here by the end of July.

Please note that the GSAS New Student Orientation is meant to complement departmental orientation programming. Some departments and programs have their own orientation events and dates. Be sure to check your University email for communications from your department about program specific start-of-year requirements.

assistantship training

Mandatory New Assistantship Training

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will hold mandatory training for all new graduate, teaching, and research assistantship graduate students from 12:30pm to 4pm at the Barn at Reynolda.

This training will be primarily led by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT). It will provide you with essential information, policies, and strategies to prepare you for your duties as a graduate, teaching, or research assistant. An agenda will be distributed via email and posted here by mid-August.

kickoff party

Annual GSAS Kickoff Party

On Friday, August 23, 2024, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will host our Annual Kickoff Party from 3pm to 5pm at the Barn at Reynolda. Come connect with new and continuing students from across GSAS, meet campus partners and learn about graduate student services across campus, and enjoy free food, drinks, and giveaways! All Graduate School of Arts & Sciences students, faculty, and staff are welcome. Invitations were issued through your University email. RSVP is requested, but not required.

If you have any special dietary needs or allergies, or have questions about this event, please email Mary Katherine Newsome, Assistant Director of Student Experience and Communication.

The Barn at Reynolda

All of our start-of-year events listed above will be hosted at The Barn at Reynolda, which is located in Reynolda Village right off main Reynolda Campus. Their address is 106 Reynolda Village Way, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. You may park in the Reynolda Village parking lots, or utilize the Reynolda Village path from campus.

Handicap parking is available and the primary entrance is accessible with a ramp. Speakers will be used for presentations to assist with hearing, and the slides will be shared afterward. Students are permitted to wear medical masks. If you have any accessibility concerns, please contact graduate@wfu.edu.