Students’ college orientation experience plays a significant role in how they perceive their overall higher-ed experience, according to new survey data.
According to the survey, students who had a positive experience with college orientation were 17 percent more likely to report a positive student life experience. Students with a poor orientation experience were 71 percent more likely to report grades of C or lower.
The survey, which explores student life on campus, was conducted by OOHLALA Mobile, a higher-ed company that partners with colleges and universities to develop custom mobile apps to improve engagement and retention.
The impact of college orientation also raises important questions for universities serving part-time students: more than twice as many part-time students (25 percent) did not participate in orientation, compared to full-time students (9.5 percent).
(Next page: Campus officials weigh in on the survey results)
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Latest posts by Laura Ascione (see all) - Weak tech could push students, faculty to other institutions - April 13, 2026
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- 5 essential dimensions of AI literacy - December 12, 2025