Welcome to MCAD!

The Key Points

The MCAD Orientation Course was designed to provide you with an opportunity to familiarize yourself with and meet the faculty, staff, and departments that are here to help you succeed.
The Peer Mentor network is here to provide advice, support, and guidance as you navigate your first year at MCAD. Keep an eye on your MCAD Gmail for and email with next steps for getting in touch with your Peer Mentor.
The Start of Term Reminders at the bottom of the page contains all of those important first steps for getting settled into your life at MCAD, like moving into the dorms and picking up / setting up your MCAD laptop, registering for classes, requesting accommodations, etc.

Welcome to MCAD! And welcome to the self-directed portion of the MCAD Orientation Course. This is our chance to introduce you to the college and the surrounding community. As you may have noticed, your Orientation is divided into two parts—the Pre-Orientation (this!) and an in person, On-Campus Session. Both the Online and On-Campus Sessions provide you with an opportunity to meet the faculty, staff, and departments that are here to help you succeed.

We encourage you to invite your parents/guardians to browse through the MCAD orientation modules with you as they are sure to have many of the same questions that you have. If you have any lingering questions that are not answered as you move through the modules, just ask our Peer Mentors.

Speaking of Peer Mentors...

Tapping into the Peer Mentor Network

We have Peer Mentors ready to help guide you along the way. They were once incoming students, and they know what you are feeling right now. This crew is very friendly and very wise—use them as a resource for all things MCAD! If you have a question about anything, the Peer Mentor Crew is where you can start. If they don't have the answer, they know who does!

The Peer Mentors will stick with you your entire academic year. They will host fun events, send reminders about important deadlines, and help you to explore the city. They have the inside scoop! Get to know them because Peer Mentors:

Know about the different classes and departments at MCAD. Wondering about the differences between illustration and comics or trying to decide between 2D animation and 3D? They can give insight!
They want to help you get to know your fellow students. They will help with getting to know other new students and will facilitate meetings with people in their groups.
Mentors plan fun events to help socialize and relax. They also will let you know about cool academic things coming up on campus.
They will send emails listing important deadlines and fun opportunities. Read them and you will stay on track!
Mentors can help you find resources on campus and around the city. If they don't know the answer they will know where to find it.

Start of Term Reminders

We created the table below to help you keep track of some of the most important start of term to-do's. Each task has a handful of helpful links to help you get started; however, if you have any questions feel free to bring them to our Orientation Sessions or send me an email in Canvas.

Task		Helpful Links
	Review the Orientation Schedule & Make a Travel Plan The campus portion of the Orientation will take place on MCAD's campus and the third floor of MIA. Be sure to check out the On-Campus Orientation Agendas for more information about logistics	MCAD Campus Map MCAD Parking & Transportation Information On-Campus Orientation Schedule
	Pick Up / Setup Your MCAD Laptop If you purchased an MCAD laptop, you can pick it up from the Help Desk (Main 331). Bring your Student ID. All payments must be up-to-date in your myMCAD Student Account prior to pickup. Computer Support will provide additional information about setting up your laptop at pickup. -or- Setup Your Personal Laptop If using a personal laptop computer (i.e. you did not choose to purchase an MCAD laptop), contact the Help Desk to set up an appointment to install all the MCAD-required programs. As a reminder, your personal laptop must meet the minimum requirements listed on the Laptop Computer Requirement Page in the section, "Waiving the Laptop Bundle."	MCAD's Laptop Computer Requirement MCAD Help Desk myMCAD Student Account
	Schedule Move-In Appointment with Your RA Check your MCAD Gmail, you will have received a message from MCAD Housing and your RA with further instructions for scheduling your campus move in.	Student Housing Resource Page
	Review Your Course Schedule Log into your myMCAD account and review your Fall Schedule. If you have any questions, reach out to Academic Advising staff.	myMCAD Student Account Academic Advising Intranet Page
	Need Academic Accommodations or Learning Support? If you would like to request Academic Accommodations, complete the Disability Disclosure and Accommodation Request Form provided by Accessibility Services. If you are interested in receiving academic support, coaching, or tutoring, schedule an appointment with the Learning Center.	Disability Accommodations at MCAD Learning Center & Accessibility Services Intranet Page
	Transferring in Credit? If you're transferring in credit from a different institution, take some time to make sure those credits have been approved. Academic Advising would be a great resource to help navigate.	Academic Advising Intranet Page