New Student Undergraduate Orientation
Congratulations on becoming a Committed Cardinal!
We are excited to help our new students prepare for the Summer and Fall 2024 semesters with an orientation packed with resources and paths for success. We have gathered support documents, agendas and Next Step guidelines below. The Cardinal journey is about to begin. Welcome to the Nest!
New Student Orientation registration for Summer and Fall 2024 students is now open! Students must be confirmed before registering for orientation.
Use your GoUIW account (personal email and password) to sign up for orientation.
Choose one of the dates below:
- Friday, June 7, 2024 (Event full)
- Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (Event full)
- Friday, June 21, 2024* (Event full)
- Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (Event full)
- Thursday, June 27, 2024 (Event full)
- Friday, July 12, 2024* (Event full)
- Monday, July 15, 2024 (Event full)
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024* (Event full)
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024* (Event full)
- Friday, Aug. 2, 2024* (Event full)
*Note: Students with majors in the School of Media and Design and Dreeben School of Education should attend the designated orientations. Other majors may also attend on these dates or any other date with open spots.
Online Orientation
- Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | 6 - 8 p.m. (Event full)
UIW Virtual Backgrounds
We have designed exclusive UIW virtual backgrounds for you to use.
8:30 a.m. | Check-in Starts | Student Engagement Center
- Student ID
- Business Office (Parking Permit, Payment Plan, Health Insurance Waiver)
- Campus Tour
- Housing Tour
- Financial Aid
- Health Services (Meningitis)
- Advising
- Admissions
10 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions | SEC Ballroom
10:30 a.m. | What It Means To Be a Cardinal | SEC Ballroom
10:45 a.m. | Academic Overview
11:30 a.m.| Advising
12:15 p.m. | Lunch | SEC Ballroom
1:30 p.m. | Cardinal Camp
3:55 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom
University offices are open to assist you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6 p.m. | Online Link Goes Live | Welcome and Agenda Overview
6:20 p.m. | Financial Aid Overview
6:40 p.m. | Business Office Overview
7 p.m. | Office of the Registrar
7:15 p.m. | University Help Desk
7:35 p.m. | University Advising
7:55 p.m. | Behavioral Health Services
8:10 p.m. | Title IX
8:25 p.m. | Closing and Final Questions
8:30 a.m. | Check-in Starts | Student Engagement Center
- Student ID
- Business Office (Parking Permit, Payment Plan, Health Insurance Waiver)
- Campus Tour
- Housing Tour
- Financial Aid
- Health Services (Meningitis)
- Advising
- Admissions
10 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions | SEC Ballroom
10:30 a.m. | What It Means To Be a Cardinal | SEC Ballroom
10:45 a.m. | How To Be a Cardinal Parent
11:35 a.m. | Campus Safety
12:15 p.m. | Lunch | SEC Ballroom
1:30 p.m. | Money Matters: Financial Aid, Business Office, and Military and Veteran Center
2:10 p.m. | Campus Life for Residents and Commuters: Campus Life and Sodexo
2:40 p.m. | Cardinal Wellness: Behavioral Health, Health Services, CARE Team, and Mission and Ministry
3:05 p.m. | Building Cardinal Connections: New Student Programs, Career Services
3:25 p.m. | Student Success: Testing Services, Student Disability Services, Writing and Learning Center, Advising, Tutoring, TRiO
3:55 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom
University offices are open to assist you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Download Undergraduate Parent Orientation Agenda (PDF)
Download Cardinal Family Resource Page (PDF)
We want to hear from you! If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the parent orientation survey. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve future events for our families.
Click the links below to download and view the various undergraduate orientation presentations.
- Cardinal Wellness Presentation (PDF)
- Academic Advising (PDF)
- Behavioral Health (PDF)
- Business Office (PDF)
- How To Be a Cardinal Parent (PDF)
- Career Services (PDF)
- Dining Services (PDF)
- Military and Veteran Center (PDF)
- Mission and Ministry (PDF)
- New Student Programs (PDF)
- Title IX - Parents (PDF)
- Title IX - Students (PDF)
- University Police (PDF)
Para recursos en español, navegagate aquí.
Health Insurance Waiver
All UIW students are required to have medical insurance. If you are insured on a family plan, you will need to waive coverage through the University by the start of the fall semester to avoid charges. If you have medical insurance and would like to waive the UIW medical insurance, bring a physical copy of your medical insurance card to orientation to complete this requirement. For students wishing to enroll in the UIW student health insurance, no action is required. Visit the Business Office webpage for more information.
Watch How To Waive Health Insurance Video
Meningitis Vaccination Record
Are you missing your meningitis vaccination? Bring a physical copy of your medical insurance card on the date you register for orientation. UIW Health Services representatives will be able to provide immunizations during orientation.
Texas state law mandates that all students under the age of 22 entering college provide a certificate signed by a healthcare provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to the University. Visit the Health Services webpage for more information.
Event Accommodations
The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodations for special events with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for events, please complete and submit the form found on the ADA/Section 504 webpage.
A Message From Dr. Evans
Click below to watch a special video from UIW President Thomas Evans.
Next Steps for Undergraduate Students
Once you have submitted your confirmation fee, you'll receive an email from the UIW Help Desk within three days to set up Cardinal Apps for the first time. Please set up your Cardinal Apps before orientation to ensure the registration process goes smoothly.
Cardinal Apps is the place to do many tasks such as:
- Access email
- Register for classes
- Purchase parking permit
- Enroll in payment plan
- Apply for housing
- Get involved at UIW
Here are a few items you need to complete before the start of the semester.
- Submit your proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination.
Texas state law mandates that all students under the age of 22 entering college provide a certificate signed by a healthcare provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to the University. You may submit your vaccination record in PDF form to Document Receiving at registrar@uiwtx.edu.
Note: You must have your meningitis shot on record, if applicable, to enroll in classes and to apply for on-campus housing.
- Apply for on-campus housing (if you plan to live on campus).
Information about on-campus housing is available on the Residence Life website. Applications for housing can be completed through the StarRez student housing portal found in your Cardinal Apps. - Register for New Student Orientation
Orientation registration opens April 1. Once you confirm your attendance to UIW, keep your eye on your email. You will receive information for registering for orientation and Next Steps to complete your enrollment.
- Take the ALEKS PPL
To be correctly placed in college-level math, students not meeting the minimum requirement must take the UIW Mathematics Placement through ALEKS PPL or be placed in a remedial math course (no credit). Visit amyvanderlinde.com/aleks for more information.
- Register for classes.
First-Time-in-College Students: Advisors are ready to help you create your class schedule at New Student Orientation! Registration opens May 1. Submit the Advising and Scheduling Questionnaire as soon as possible. For proper scheduling, submit all official transcripts and test scores at least five business days before your orientation date.
Transfer Students: Class registration opens May 1. Advisors will be available to help you create your class schedule. Visit the University Advising Center webpage for the steps you need to complete before making an advising appointment. To ensure relevant scheduling, all official transcripts must be submitted at least five business days before your selected orientation date. Once you have completed these steps, contact the University Advising Center at (210) 805-5814 or advising@uiwtx.edu to schedule an advising appointment prior to your New Student Orientation date.
New students in the following majors must contact the person listed below to discuss program requirements prior to your advising appointment and orientation date.
Contact Information for Majors Major Contact Phone Email 3D Animation and Game Design Dr. Adam Watkins (210) 805-1209 watkinsw@uiwtx.edu Fashion Management Dr. Melinda K. Adams (210) 805-1204 madams@uiwtx.edu Graphic Design Doris O. Palmeros-McManus (210) 283-6445 palmeros@uiwtx.edu Interior Design Dr. Diana Allison (210) 829-3859 dallison@uiwtx.edu Music
Please visit: Music Department WebpageWilliam Gokelman (210) 829-3848 gokelman@uiwtx.edu Pastoral Ministry Dr. Michael Romero (210) 829-3902 maromer6@uiwtx.edu For any questions, contact your advisor or the University Advising Center at (210) 805-5814.
- Submit your final official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
First-Time-in-College Students: Submit your final high school transcript with the graduation date to admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu or mail official high school transcripts to the address below. If you have dual credit, also submit an official college transcript.
Transfer Students: All admitted students must submit official transcripts with final grades from each institution attended before the beginning of the fall semester. Students with fewer than 24 college credit hours are also required to submit an official high school transcript or official GED scores. Final documents may be submitted in PDF format to admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu or physically mailed to the address below.
Watch How To Read Your Schedule (video)
University of the Incarnate Word
Office of Admissions
4301 Broadway, CPO 285
San Antonio, TX 78209 - Register for a parking permit.
You may register your vehicle using the T2 Cardinal Cars app via UIW’s Cardinal Apps sign-on portal. Please, bring the required items with you to orientation in order to purchase your parking permit. Visit the UIW parking site for more information.
- Valid email address (you will be required to verify your account using this email)
- Vehicle license plate number and state
- Vehicle make, model, color and style
Watch How To Obtain a Parking Permit (video)
Note: Any vehicle not registered with a permit is subject to a parking fine.
- Enroll in a payment plan.
Students must pay tuition or enroll in a payment plan before the semester begins. Once you have registered for classes, you may enroll in a payment plan on CashNet via Cardinal Apps. Visit the Business Office webpage for more information.
Watch How To Enroll in a Payment Plan (video)
Watch How To Make a Payment (video)
Click the link below to see a list of the next steps you need for your financial aid.
- Accepting Your Aid Offer
- Scholarships and Grants
- How To Apply for a Work-Study Position (video)
- How To Accept or Decline Student Loans (video)
- How To Find Other Aid Options (video)
- Other Options