Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
Answers
"I've been accepted to RU. How do I sign up for new student orientation - Quest?"
Invitations to Quest will be sent to all students who have paid their deposit. Watch your mailbox! The invitation includes information which will bring you to the link to register for Quest. If you are accepted after May 1st , an invitation will be in your Admissions Acceptance Packet. The reservation system is now open and reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. It is important to log on to the online reservation site immediately. Should you experience difficulties with the online reservation system, please call the Office of New Student Programs at (540) 831-5923.
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"What are the dates for Quest?"
Thursday - Friday, June 26-27
Sunday - Monday, June 29-30
Tuesday - Wednesday, July 1-2
Monday - Tuesday, July 7-8
Wednesday - Thursday, July 9-10
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There is no charge for students to attend Quest. This cost is covered by the matriculation fee*, a one-time fee for all new students. The parent/guardian's fee is $30 per person. There is an additional $20 fee per room for those wishing to stay on campus. Three meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast) are included in both prices.
*New Student Matriculation Fee
Radford University
Established, Fall 2001
A one-time fee has been instituted to support programs and services for entering full-time undergraduate students (new freshmen and transfer students). The matriculation fee covers the cost of students attending Quest, Radford University 's summer orientation program, as well as any other orientation and academic advising session provided prior to students entering Radford University . Beyond the orientation programs, the matriculation fee supports extended orientation events sponsored during the opening of school, special speakers, residence hall events, and programs designed to help new students find academic success.
All new students will receive direct benefit from this fee. Some of the programs and activities included in this fee include:
- Quest (Radford University's summer orientation program)
- Transfer Quest
- Fall and Spring new student orientation/advising/registration events
- Fall Opening events
- Fall Convocation (including keynote speaker and RU keepsake)
- New Student Retention programs and learning resources information
- Freshmen Learning Communities (including special residence hall activities designed for new students)
New students are provided with numerous activities, programs, and staff to assist their transition to RU. This fee provides the resources to help every new student find success at the university.
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"Does it matter which session I sign up for?"
No. The program is the same at each session. There are an equal number of academic course offerings saved for each of the five sessions.
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"I have decided on a new major since I applied to RU. How do I change it?"
When you sign up for Quest you will have the opportunity to choose the major for which you would like to be advised. If you plan to double-major, you will need to select one for the purposes of academic advising. For help deciding which of your two majors to choose, please give us a call at (540) 831-5923.
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"We can only come to one of those sessions. Can I go ahead and sign up now?"
To sign up for a session you need to log on to the orientation registration site. This site will be available beginning April 7th. The sooner you log on, the more likely you will get the session of your choice.
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"I have a commitment during the Quest dates. What happens if I cannot come?"
We advise students to make every effort to attend. If you can change your plans or alter them slightly in order to attend, that would be best. However, we understand that not everyone can attend. There will be a supplementary program in the fall. All students who do not attend Quest will be contacted in late July to sign up for this program which is on Thursday and Friday August 28th and 29th. It will be important to log on to the reservation system and let us know that you "ARE COMING TO RU" but not to Quest.
Remember: Do NOT worry about not getting classes. We hold course offerings for each orientation session, so you will get appropriate classes.
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"Can we visit campus at a non-Quest time and register for classes?”
Please be aware that the only time you will be able to register for classes is at Quest or Transfer Quest programs. These times are set to insure that proper academic advising takes place and that the necessary courses for your program of study are made available.
You are welcome to visit campus anytime. To do so, simply contact our Admissions Office at
(540) 831-5371 and they will share with you our tour schedule.
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This is your orientation to Radford University. You will have a chance to become acquainted with the campus, its services, facilities, staff and students. We will hold information sessions addressing both student and parent issues. Students will attend academic advising sessions and register for fall classes. The second day finishes up around noon. It is important to attend both days as the second day is when students actually register for their classes. Here is a tentative schedule.
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"Do we stay on campus? Can additional family members attend?"
We strongly encourage students to stay on campus because you have already paid for this in your Matriculation Fee (see above for explanation). There are two options explained in the registration materials. The orientation programs are designed for students and parents/guardians only, not additional family members. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate additional family members due to space limitations.
Lodging is available on campus, in a residence hall, or off campus in a local hotel. Click here to see a list of local hotels. Students and parents/guardians will be housed separately and the rooms are in a residence hall. Due to space limitations we are able to offer air-conditioned residence halls for the parents/guardians, however the students' halls do not have air-conditioning. We encourage you to bring a fan if you feel you will need it. Neither of the rooms will have a TV nor a telephone, but linens and towels will be provided.
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"What business operations can I take care of while at Quest?"
While at Quest, students will have their student IDs made and staff will be on hand to help with:
- Meal plans
- RU Express accounts (debit/declining balance on student ID card, accepted at various on and off-campus locations)
- Student room telephone plans
- Parking passes
- Bank accounts
- Payment plans (for tuition)
- Computer information
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“I have Dual-Enrollment (college) credit and I'm considered a Transfer Student. Which program should I attend?”
If you are graduating from high school in the spring of 2008, regardless of how many hours are being transferred to RU, you should come to Quest. If you graduated from high school last year and have been taking courses at a community college, and have less than 26 credits, you should also come to Quest. If you will be living on campus, you should attend Quest. If you do not fall into any of these categories, you should attend Transfer Quest.
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AFTER Registering for Quest
“Where can I check in for orientation?”
Check-in will take place in Peters Hall Gymnasium. Click here for a map of available parking.
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“Who advises the students at orientation?”
Every student is placed in a group during Quest and this group is led by a trained faculty member serving as a Faculty Advisor and a student leader serving as a Quest Assistant (QA.) Both the QA and Faculty Advisor have received extensive training to advise all students about how to be academically successful in their first semester. The QA and Faculty Advisor will present an Academic Advising session to their group on the 1st day of Quest and will facilitate class registration on the 2nd day of Quest.
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“I have looked online and found the class availability. It seems there are not that many classes for incoming freshmen. Is this true?”
No. Academic course offerings have been reserved for Quest for incoming freshmen, and do not appear in the online list of available classes.
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“Why are there separate programs for the parents and students?”
We feel that by separating the parents/guardians and students we can concentrate the day and a half sessions on delivering the information that pertains the most to each group. Students and parents/guardians have opportunities to meet up at multiple times on both days.
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“When will I receive residence hall placement info?”
The 1st week of August all students will be notified of their housing assignment by Residential Life. Students may make changes in their preferences through the last Quest date (July 10th).
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"How and when can I find out information about banking?"
Your banking questions can be answered on the first day of Quest. Bank representatives will be on hand to open student accounts for the fall.
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You do not pay fall semester fees at Quest. A billing statement from the University will be sent to you this summer.
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