APPLY TO BE AN ORIENTATION STAFF MEMBER
Orientation Staff Members (OSMs) are responsible for welcoming new students and their families to our campus community. There are three unique roles within Orientation that serve new students: Administrative Assistants, Orientation Counselors, and Transfer Counselors. We encourage you to apply!
APPLY TO BE AN OSM!
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW SIGN UP DEADLINE:
SUNDAY, FEB. 2 AT 11:59 P.M.
NEW APPLICANTS
Attend an information session
Review the position descriptions and Orientation Staff Member expectations. You can only apply for one position.
Work on the application questions in a separate word document before clicking the "Apply" button above to submit your application.
Submit your application and sign up for an interview by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 2.
- You will be emailed information regarding interview sign-ups after submitting your application.
- NEW applicants must be on-campus this semester to interview in person.
- If you are going abroad Fall 2025, you may only serve as an Administrative Assistant (AA). Orientation Counselors must be on-campus (not abroad) in the fall semester.
- You will be notified if you are selected to continue into the Level II interview process before Spring Break.
Must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Staff members must return to campus for mandatory training on Tuesday, August 12. This is a full-time commitment and you must be present and available from August 12 through the end of the Orientation program on August 24 with no exceptions. During training, you are expected to follow all community standards and refrain from drinking even if over 21 years of age.
- Help new students connect with the resources they may need on campus during the program and beyond and share with the Director or Assistant Director if a new student is struggling with an experience of sexual assault or abuse.
If you would like to apply but feel you cannot meet these expectations, please email orientation@villanova.edu to meet with the Director or Assistant Director to discuss further.
Administrative Assistants (AAs) support the logistical needs of the Orientation Program, assist the Orientation Counselors in building a positive group dynamic, and help facilitate the Moments that Matter conversation. AAs go through the same training as OCs but do not lead their own group during the four-day program. Working behind the scenes of the 4-day Orientation Program, AAs should be comfortable supporting the program by performing physical tasks like lifting, moving, and transferring materials. The Orientation Program seeks leaders who emphasize teamwork and collaboration while being a helpful, friendly guide to students and families throughout the program.
Application Questions:
1. What are your reasons and motivations for wanting to be an Administrative Assistant? How will you apply your personal strengths and past experiences to this role? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2. This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the New Student experience? As an AA, how will you support New Students in finding their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both Orientation Staff Members and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Based on your experiences as a 无码专区 student, if you could only give one piece of advice to incoming New Students, what would you advise and why? Please answer in 250 words or less?
New students are divided into groups of 20 and led through the four-day program by an Orientation Counselor, commonly referred to as an OC. These upperclassmen student leaders participate in extensive training related to the New Student Experience. OCs build relationships with both New Students and their families during the 4 days of Orientation and throughout their time at 无码专区. The Orientation Program seeks effective leaders with strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills who can manage their group through an intensive 4-day schedule.
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Application Questions:
1. What are your reasons and motivations for wanting to be an Orientation Counselor? How will you apply your personal strengths and past experiences to this role? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2.This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the new student experience? As an OC, how will you encourage your new students to find their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both Orientation Staff Members and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Based on your personal experience, if you could only give one piece of advice to an incoming New Student, what would it be and why? Please answer in 250 words or less.
Students who have transferred into 无码专区 are encouraged to apply to be a Transfer Counselor. Transfer Counselors share similar responsibilities to Orientation Counselors but through a slightly different lens since transfer students already have experience in a college setting. The Orientation Program seeks effective leaders with strong interpersonal and communication skills, who are motivated to build a 4-day program with an emphasis on the unique needs of transfer students.
Application Questions:
1. What are your reasons and motivations for applying to be a Transfer Counselor? What do you anticipate transfer students might need while going through the four-day program and their first semester? As a TC, how would you respond to these unique challenges? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2.This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the transfer student experience? As a TC, how will you encourage your new students to find their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both OSMs and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Based on your transfer experience, if you could only give one piece of advice to an incoming transfer student, what would it be and why? Please answer in 250 words or less.
RETURNING APPLICANTS
Review the position descriptions and Orientation staff member expectations. You can only apply for one position.
- Work on the application questions in a separate word document before clicking the "Apply" button above to submit your application.
- To be considered a returner, you must be applying for the same role you had on Staff last year. If you're interested in applying for a new role, please apply as a NEW applicant and go through Level I interviews.
- Returning applicants who are abroad Spring semester are welcome to apply.
- If you are going abroad Fall 2025, you may only serve as an Administrative Assistant (AA). Orientation Counselors must be on-campus (not abroad) in the fall semester.
- In order to be considered a returner, you must have a reunion logged with your Orientation group (if OC/TC), completed Bystander Intervention Training, and must attend a returner information session - Tuesday, January 28 at 7 pm in Mendel 101.
- You will be sent information to sign up for a Level II interview around Spring Break.
Must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Staff members must return to campus for mandatory training on Tuesday, August 12. This is a full-time commitment and you must be present and available from August 12 through the end of the Orientation program on August 24 with no exceptions. During training, you are expected to follow all community standards and refrain from drinking even if over 21 years of age.
Help new students connect with the resources they may need on campus during the program and beyond, and share with the Director or Assistant Director if a new student is struggling with an experience of sexual assault or abuse.
If you would like to apply but feel you cannot meet these expectations, please email orientation@villanova.edu to meet with the Director or Assistant Director to discuss further.
1. Returners play a vital role in the Orientation experience for new students and new OSMs. What is your understanding of the role of a returner? How have you developed as a leader within the program, and how can you apply this in your role as a returner for both New Students and within your Steering group? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2. This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the new student experience? As an AA, how will you support New Students in finding their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both OSMs and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Describe a time during your experience(s) on Staff when you were met with an unexpected challenge. What skills and strengths did you utilize to find a solution? How do you plan on preparing yourself for unexpected challenges that may arise during your experience as a returner this year? Please answer in 250 words or less.
1. Returners play a vital role in the Orientation experience for new students and new OSMs. What is your understanding of the role of a returner? How have you developed as a leader within the program, and how can you apply this in your role as a returner for both New Students and within your Steering group? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2. This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the new student experience? As an OC, how will you encourage your new students to find their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both OSMs and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Describe a time during your experience(s) on Staff when you were met with an unexpected challenge. What skills and strengths did you utilize to find a solution? How do you plan on preparing yourself for unexpected challenges that may arise during your experience as a returner this year? Please answer in 250 words or less.
1. Returners play a vital role in the Orientation experience for new students and new OSMs. What is your understanding of the role of a returner? How have you developed as a leader within the program, and how can you apply this in your role as a returner for both New Students and within your Steering group? Please answer in 250 words or less.
2. This year鈥檚 theme for Orientation is: Explore your Path, Find your Home. How does this idea of exploring your path relate to the new student experience? As an TC, how will you encourage your new students to find their new home? Please answer in 250 words or less.
3. Part of the Orientation Program鈥檚 mission is to welcome New Students from different socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. In what ways do you feel prepared to welcome students from backgrounds different than your own? What opportunities for growth and collaboration do you see in working with both OSMs and New Students from diverse backgrounds? Please answer in 250 words or less.
4. Describe a time during your experience(s) on Staff when you were met with an unexpected challenge. What skills and strengths did you utilize to find a solution? How do you plan on preparing yourself for unexpected challenges that may arise during your experience as a returner this year? Please answer in 250 words or less.
Orientation Resources
Our mobile apps and publications will help lead you and your family through the Orientation experience and beyond.
Nova Guides App: Orientation 2025
Coming soon!
