New Student Orientation and the Big Sky Experience
The University of Montana's transition programs provide all the information new incoming students need to successfully begin their journey on campus. The orientation and transition experience extends beyond course registration; we deliver relevant and informative programming to prepare students for success, and design a variety of opportunities for students to connect with their new peers, current UM students, and broader campus and Missoula community.
New Student Orientation and the Big Sky Experience are programs for students who have already applied, been admitted and intend to enroll at either UM's Mountain Campus or Missoula College. All incoming students are expected to complete our online New Student Orientation program. New traditional-aged students are also expected to attend the in-person Big Sky Experience program.
Voted Most Innovative Program by the National Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education for Region 1 in 2020.
Since redesigning our onboarding programs in fall 2019, first-year student retention has steadily increased every single year. Most recently, UM’s all-time retention record was broked, with a 76% retention rate of first-time students from fall 2022 to fall 2023.
More than 40 community businesses and organizations hosted students in 2023 during the third annual Big Sky Experience.