Family Orientation FAQs

Below you’ll find answers to common questions about Family Orientation. If you do not find the answer to your question below, please email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT).

Questions by Category:

Schedule and Activities

What time does Family Orientation start and end?
Check-in for Family Orientation and the Longhorn Neighborhood takes place from 7:00-9:00 a.m. with formal programming immediately beginning at 9:00 a.m. The program concludes at 6:30 p.m. with a Farewell Reception. It is not required or necessary to arrive at 7:00 a.m.; rather, Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. to accommodate families who are driving to Austin early that morning from around the state.

What is the Longhorn Neighborhood?
The Longhorn Neighborhood is a resource fair with representatives from over 20 on-campus departments that takes place during Check-in for Family Orientation.

Will my student be with me during Family Orientation?
No, your student will be attending Longhorn Orientation and will not be with you for any Family Orientation programming. The two programs run concurrently on the first day of Longhorn Orientation with separate agendas and timelines.

Can parents/families attend the Longhorn Orientation program?
No, parents and families cannot attend any Longhorn Orientation programming.

What college/school program should I attend if my student has a double major?
If your student has a double major in separate college/schools, you are encouraged to attend the presentation by your student’s primary major. Or, if you have multiple attendees in your party, you may split up and attend the different presentations.

What college/school program should I attend if I have more than one student?
If you have more than one student in separate college/schools, please email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) to talk through strategies. Or, if you have multiple attendees in your party, you may split up and attend the different presentations. 

My student was admitted to a certain college/school but wants to transfer to another. Can I attend the presentation of the college/school to which my student wants to transfer?
No, you must attend the college/school presentation of the college/school in which your student was admitted to and currently enrolled.

Will the Family Orientation program include any physical activity?
While we try to limit the amount of physical activity, you will be walking outside in the Texas summer heat. We recommend wearing walking shoes and comfortable clothing and bringing a water bottle. We also recommend bringing a sweater as it can get chilly inside campus buildings.

Is there programming available for siblings or children who attend?
Siblings and children will attend the same programming as adults. We understand it may be necessary for younger children to accompany you; however, if you are able to attend without them, that is preferred as the programming will be structured to an adult audience.

Will I be able to join the Texas Parents Association during Family Orientation?
Yes, Texas Parents will have sign-up stations available for you to sign-up throughout your orientation session. Parent volunteers from the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council (wearing bright yellow shirts) and Texas Parents staff will be available to answer your questions. Learn more about membership here.

Registration and Sessions

Are there deadlines to register for a Family Orientation session?
Online registration for each session will close at 11:59 p.m. (CT) two Thursdays before the orientation session date, in line with Longhorn Orientation registration deadlines for students. All Family Orientation registration deadlines are listed here.

Am I required to attend the same orientation session date as my student?
While we recommend that you attend the Family Orientation session that corresponds with your student’s Longhorn Orientation session, it is not required. If you attend a session date that differs from your student, you must make sure that your student’s college/school is presenting at the session you desire to attend.  

I am planning to attend a different Family Orientation session date than my student's Longhorn Orientation, can I register my student to attend Family Orientation to give my student extra exposure to information?
Family Orientation sessions are not intended for your incoming student, regardless if they have completed their Longhorn Orientation or not. While the information at at Family Orientation and Longhorn Orientation align, the information is structured differently for the specific audience. Please do not register your incoming student to attend Family Orientation.

Can I switch to a different Family Orientation session?
You can switch to a different session date but you must make sure that your student’s college/school is presenting at the session you desire to attend. A list of the college/schools in attendance at each Family Orientation session can be found here. To change your session, please reply to your registration confirmation email with the session date to which you’d like to switch. Please note, changing your Family Orientation session does not change your student's Longhorn Orientation date. 

I have completed the Family Orientation registration process but I have not received a confirmation email.
The confirmation emails are auto-generated from the registration system and should arrive as soon as your transaction is complete. Please email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) if you did not receive the auto-generated confirmation.

I have completed the Family Orientation online registration process but need to add an additional registrant.
Please reply to your registration confirmation email with the number of people you’d like to add to your registration. Please note if you are adding a child 5 years of age or younger.  The Family Orientation coordinator will confirm your updated registration and inform you of any additional charges.

I missed the ability to register online for my orienation session, can I still attend Family Orientation?
Yes, Same Day registration will be available when you arrive to Gregory Gym for Check-in. When entering Gregory Gym, please ask staff or parent volunteers to direct you to the Same Day Registration station. Same Day Registration is $60 per attendee and can only be paid with credit/debit cards (listed below in Payment information). Children 5 and younger are not changed.

What if I miss or do not show up for my orientation session?
If you miss your registered Family Orientation session, your payment will not be refunded. You may request to attend a later Family Orientation session date by replying to your registration confirmation email with the session date to which you’d like to switch.

Payment

What does the Family Orientation registration charge include?
The registration charge covers all-day programming and staffing expenses and the Farewell Reception. It does not include lunch or parking.

Can I receive a waiver for the registration charge?
No. The charge cannot be waived.

What payment methods are accepted for the registration charge? 
If you register online or at Same Day registration, charges can be only be paid by debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). 

I will not be able to attend all of the session. Can I pay a reduced registration charge?
No, the registration charge remains the same regardless of the amount of programming that you attend.

I am unable to attend the session I have registered for and need to cancel my registration. May I get a refund?
Registration charges are non-refundable. The only exception granted is by providing documentation that your student has de-committed from their UT Austin enrollment and will be attending a different institution in the fall. If you are unable to attend, please let us know by replying to your confirmation email.

Parking & Travel

Can parents/families stay in the on-campus residence halls during orientation?
On-campus housing is not provided to parents and family members during orientation. If you need overnight accommodations, go here for a list of hotels and campgrounds offering orientation rates. 

Where can I park during orientation?
Parking for students and families attending both Family Orientation and Longhorn Orientation is serviced by UT Austin’s Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) department and is a separate fee from orientation registrations. Click here to register for Family Orientation parking and/or your student's Longhorn Orientation parking.  

Other Important Information

How can I request accommodations if I have a disability?
Please email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) for more information. Requests must be received at least two weeks before the date of your orientation session in order to coordinate resources.

What if English is not my first language, can I still attend Family Orientation?
Yes, you are able to bring a translator of your choice to accompany you throughout the day; however, you will need to email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) before registering for more information on how to complete your online registration form. 

Do I need to bring anything with me?
At check-in, you will receive a bag (one per family) that will help when collecting handouts throughout the day. If you are a notetaker, pens and note paper will be available. We recommend bringing a sweater as it can get chilly inside campus buildings and a refillable water bottle as you will be traveling between buildings in the Texas summer heat. 

Will I receive a reminder prior to Family Orientation?
Yes, you will receive a "Final Details" email with more detailed program information from Texas Parents the Thursday prior to your session.

Is childcare available for children or siblings who attend?
No, there is no childcare provided.