Updated March 26, 2025
You might be wondering: what will Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) look like? Below are two sample schedules for GBO Fall 2025 Transfer students and First Year students. The majority of programs during GBO are not held with the entire incoming class together and each GBO Small Group (over 250 of them!) are unique to provide personalized programming and ensure access to mealtimes. You will receive your specific schedule on the first day of GBO programming (Thursday, August 21st) from your Orientation Leaders (OLs).
We understand that a model built for so many students will not accommodate every individual; if after reading through the sample schedules below you believe that you will need accommodations during GBO, please scroll to the bottom of this page* to find instructions on how to request these accommodations.
Fall 2025 GBO Sample Schedule (Transfer Students)
Fall 2025 GBO Sample Schedule (First-Year Students)
Check In
Check In will occur on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. Check back in June for full details about Check-In, including locations and times. We are working on new ideas for Fall 2025 to reduce lines and improve how we serve you during such a busy time.
Grouping, GBO Small Group Time, & OL Choice
GBO programming will begin on Thursday, August 21st by meeting your Orientation Leaders (OLs) and other new students in your GBO small group at Grouping. You will be with this group throughout GBO excluding College Programming on Monday. Students will engage in dialogue and community building with a small group of their peers and Orientation Leaders (OLs). OL Choice are times when your OLs will select programming specifically for your group.
New Student Welcome
Check back in May for updated details on the New Student Welcome.
Meals
Two meals will be provided each day of GBO. All meals will be able to provide options for dietary needs. If you do not see your dietary need met, please directly ask one of the New Student Services staff present.
Bear Foundations
Bear Foundations is intended to start or continue the conversation of community and identity for new students. During the large group program and following small group discussion, students will learn about UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community, Othering, and Belonging, and reflect on their identity and relationship with campus. New students will recognize that they play an active role in creating a safe and healthy culture at Cal and will leave this program reflecting how to improve their communities at Cal. We want new students to continue their knowledge of exploring stories of identities, intersectionality, community-building through different platforms and media.
Late Night Programming
Late Night Programming offers opportunities to get to know campus and its surroundings and experience entertainment at and around Cal. More importantly, Late Night Programming allows new students to bond and have fun with their groups and other new Cal students! While programming is scheduled all night, these events are optional.
Resource Fair
The Campus Department Resource Fair will introduce incoming students to 70+ campus departments, including Berkeley Study Abroad and University Health Services. The fair will be hosted in person and will allow you to connect directly with staff from various campus departments.
Bear Pact
Bear Pact is a mandatory performance that will teach you about important issues faced by college students: sexual violence and harassment, related policies, reporting options, and resources, mental health, bystander intervention, alcohol and substance use. Learn about the many ways you can maintain a balanced lifestyle and the resources on campus that can help you in this pursuit. You will also gain strategies to take care of friends, classmates, and roommates.
Transfer Symposium (Transfer & UCEAP Students only)
Golden Bear Orientation welcomes the newly Transfer Symposium specifically for incoming transfer students. This unique on-campus symposium begins with new students learning about resources from Berkeley Career Engagement, followed by the opportunity for professional schools and companies to host educational sessions. There will be two rotations of 45-minute sessions to showcase your professional industry or graduate-level opportunities to talented transfer students.
Day in the Bay
Your Berkeley experience extends beyond the campus and we know many of you are eager to explore the Bay Area. Day in the Bay will take you to a venue in the Bay Area (past excursions have included SF MOMA, the Exploratorium, Oakland Museum, Oakland As Game, Bay Cruise). All transportation and tickets will be included. Bay Area excursions will be assigned for individual GBO Small Groups. Transfers/UCEAP students will participate on Friday, August 22 and First-Years will participate either Saturday, August 23 or Sunday, August 24.
Bite of Berkeley
We are surrounded by incredible and varied food options in the city of Berkeley. Exploring those is built into GBO! You and your small group will be assigned to visit a local restaurant to one of your lunch or dinner blocks during GBO.
Transfer Student Welcome (Transfer Students Only)
Transfer Student Welcome is a program in partnership with the Transfer Center, with its main goal being to welcome all transfer students to the Berkeley community and to discuss services and resources available to them.
Alumni Mixer (Transfer & UCEAP Students Only)
Transfer students will have the opportunity to learn career tips and information from alumni working in different industries. New students will have a specific time designated to them to go to the Alumni Mixer on Saturday evening.
College Programming
College Programming consists of programming designed by each college (e.g College of Letters and Science, College of Natural Resources) to prepare students for life in that specific academic environment. During these events, there will be an introduction to your college and more specific sessions centered around what to expect from your college and major. Check the Cal Events App for specific events related to your major.
Campus Tour
Time to explore your new home with the help of continuing students! See if you can find all the hidden bears.
Affinity Spaces
Build community with fellow new students who share your identity! Affinity Spaces are informal, social spaces for students from diverse backgrounds. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet staff and/or continuing students. You can self-select which social(s) to attend, or choose not to attend any, and you do not need to attend with your small group. Descriptions of each Affinity Space are available in the Cal Events App.
Banner Signing
An iconic GBO tradition! Come add your name to the Class of 2026 or Class of 2028 banners. These will be hung up at graduation- book ends to your Berkeley career!
Group Closing
All good things must come to an end, and GBO is no exception. Closing with small groups and Orientation Leaders is an opportunity to wrap up the week and look to the coming semester. The group closing will include dinner.
*Note
We recognize that a model built for so many students will not accommodate everyone. Please read over our policies for more information about participation requirements, and to let us know how we can best serve your needs for orientation.