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 20, 2025, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will hold mandatory orientation for all new incoming Reynolda Campus students from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Barn at Reynolda Village. 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 8:15 a.m. 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.
Mandatory New Assistantship Training
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will hold mandatory training for all new graduate, teaching, and research assistantship graduate students from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Barn at Reynolda Village.
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.
Annual GSAS Kickoff Party
On Friday, August 22, 2025, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences will host our Annual Kickoff Party from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Barn at Reynolda Village. 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 Graduate Student Affairs.
Venue and Parking Information
All of our start-of-year events listed above will be hosted at The Barn at Reynolda Village, which is located at 106 Reynolda Village Way, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Reynolda Village lies adjacent to Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus. 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.
Shuttle Service
ADA-compliant shuttles will run from Reynolda campus to Reynolda Village for New Student and Assistantship Orientations on Wednesday, August 20th between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. If you have any accessibility concerns, please contact graduate@wfu.edu.