Orientation Schedule

As you begin to move in, the Residential Experience Team is hosting 30 days of programming! Come to events to meet current and new graduate students.

They will have a variety of on and off-campus opportunities including: America's Got Talent Live Show tickets, Coffee Tastings at Jones' Coffee Roasters, a trip to The Huntington Gardens, Craft nights, and SOOOO MUCH MORE!!!  

Please RSVP Here as some events have limited space! Learn more about these programs in the email you received August 31st with the Subject line: "Graduate Residential Community Newsletter." 

Required for all incoming international students. See the full schedule of events here.

6:52 pm: Sundown and the start of Institute-wide pause on required academic and orientation programming

8:00 am – 8:00 pm: Orientational Social Programming with the Graduate Orientation Leaders (GOLs)

Sign-up by Wednesday, September 16th HERE

6:51 pm: Sundown and end of Institute-wide pause on required academic and orientation programming

8:00 pm: Movie Premiere: Forgotten Island, Beckman Auditorium

An animated movie featuring a Caltech story line. The movie follows the journey of "best friends Jo and Raissa as they get trapped on the magical island of Nakali and must escape before they forget each other. Doors open to Beckman Auditorium at 7:30 pm.

The first time the full first year class will be together and the launch of Graduate Student Orientation week. Day filled with various campus partners and panel discussions. (Lunch and Snacks provided) 

David Chan, Harold and Violet Alvarez Professor of Biology and Dean of Graduate Studies, will offer words of welcome, and introduce you to the Graduate Studies staff and Orientation Guides as well as leaders from the Graduate Student Council (GSC). Several critical academic topics will be discussed including academic expectations and the Caltech Honor Code.

Join us for lunch with your Graduate Orientation Leaders (GOL)!

Return from lunch at 1:00 pm for the second session of Graduate Student Orientation!

Please return from break at 3:00 PM.

Return from break at 3:00 pm for the third session of Graduate Student Orientation!

Dean Chan and the Graduate Studies Office staff invite you to join us for an evening of good food, new friends, and fun. This event is one of the most popular among new grad students, so don't miss out!

Check-in will begin at 8:15 AM and closes at 9:00 AM. Breakfast is provided.

First Year TA Training is a required component of Graduate Orientation and fulfills your mandatory training should you ever be a TA at Caltech. It is also a valuable professional development activity whether you will formally teach at Caltech or not, as it addresses aspects of professional teaching, mentoring, and communication that are more broadly applicable. All incoming graduate students will complete both the online and in-person training components. Students will receive an email from the CTLO by September 1 with full details.

Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Learning & Outreach (CTLO)

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Truck is quickly becoming a grad student favorite at Caltech! Join us for a cool, customized unforgettable treat!

Welcome to the Athletic Facilities and Programming at Caltech and our annual graduate student event. This year's theme is "Fried Foods and Field Night." Come for pickleball, pick-up games, and snacks!

Your option lead will reach out to you directly with the schedule. You will participate in activities within your individual academic units or "option" as they are commonly referred to on our campus.

Meet the Graduate Orientation Leaders to walk to dinner at the President's Residence at 5:00pm. Dinner is from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. The president lives at 587 South Hill. Doors close at 5:45pm.

Join us for FREE coffee and dessert at one of the most popular hangout spots on campus, the Red Door Cafe!

At 8:30 AM, please line up at the end of Beckman Mall, so that all new graduate students can process into Beckman Auditorium at 9:00 AM sharp.

Convocation is an annual Caltech tradition that brings the community together to welcome new undergraduate and graduate students. This event will provide the campus an opportunity to hear from our newly appointed President, Dr. Ray Jayawardhana. (Brunch Provided) 

Immediately following Convocation, all graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff are invited to attend a campus-wide community brunch to continue celebrating the start of a new academic year at Caltech.

Get connected with campus partners that you will utilize during your time at Caltech!

All students receiving wages or a stipend (assistantship or fellowship) are required to complete Employment Authorization (Form I-9). Please be sure to bring appropriate identification with you and allow up to 10-15 minutes wait time. Human Resources staff will be available to help you complete all of the forms necessary to receive your first paycheck and answer any questions you may have about direct deposit or tax forms. This is required.

If this time conflicts with any scheduled academic option programming, please prioritize option programming and make arrangements to complete your I-9 paperwork no later than October 1, 2026.

All students should have uploaded the required health forms and acknowledged the compliance forms in the summer. However, if you have been unable to obtain the required immunizations, tests for immunity, or tuberculosis (TB) testing at your current location, please make an appointment at Student Wellness Services within one week of your arrival to campus to have these items completed at your expense. There will be a Vaccine Clinic on campus on Friday, September 25, 2026, to support you as well.

Hosted by your Graduate Residential Experience team (RLC + RAs)!

Led by the Graduate Orientation Leaders!

Hosted by your Graduate Student Council (GSC)!