APPLY TO BE A
2026 ORIENTATION LEADER

BECOME A LEADER

The 2026 Orientation Leader application will open on Tuesday, September 2 at 8am and close on Monday, October 6 at 11:59pm.  The process includes an online application, group interviews, a creative personal introduction, and an invite-only individual interview.

APPLICATION

The online application will have two parts. The first part includes questions regarding your major, year, involvements, and experiences at UGA. The second part will ask you to record a response to 1 video essay question. You will be given three (3) minutes to prepare a response to each question and have forty five (45) seconds to give your response. You will have the ability to re-record your answer once.

All applicants are required to attend at least one information session. If for some reason you are unable to attend any of the listed dates, please contact us as soon as possible.

  • Wednesday, September 3 at 5:00pm, Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 138 
  • Monday, September 8 at 9am – Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 138 
  • Tuesday, September 11 at 3:30pm – Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 138 
  • Thursday, September 18 at 5:00pm – Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 138 
  • Friday, September 19 at 10:00am – Tate Student Center -First Floor, Room 138 
  • Tuesday, September 23 at 4:00pm – Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 142 
  • Monday, September 29 at 1:00pm – Tate Student Center – First Floor, Room 138 
  • Thursday, October 2 at 7:00pm – Tate Student Center – Zoom Webinar

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, all of the requirements below must be completed: 

  • Be enrolled full-time at the University of Georgia as an undergraduate student currently and for the Spring and Fall of 2026
  • Be in good academic and judicial standing
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Not take classes or have another job during Summer 2026
  • Serve as a resource to students and families during and after Orientation by answering questions, sharing information and personal anecdotes, and connecting them to campus resources.
  • Serve as a group leader and discussion facilitator for students during each Orientation session.
  • Live in the Orientation residence hall throughout the summer.
  • Perform in skits and other presentations at Orientation.
  • Complete various orientation tasks including but not limited to providing an engaging tour of campus, serving on panels, administrative duties, and social media posts.
  • November 19, 2025, 3:00pm-5:00pm
    • First Team Meeting 
  • January 14, 2026 – April 22, 2026 – All Wednesdays from 3:00pm-5:00pm 
    • Weekly Training Meetings 
  • January 9-11, 2026 
    • Orientation Leader Retreat 
  • February 1, 2025, 9:00am-2:00pm 
    • Saturday Team Meeting 
  • February 15, 2025, 9:00am-2:00pm 
    • Saturday Team Meeting
  • May 13 – 23, 2026
    • Orientation Leader May Day Training 
  • May 25, 2026– August 1, 2026
    • Summer Orientation 
  • August 10, 2026 
    • Late Orientation Session 
  • August 11, 2026 
    • Freshmen Welcome 
  • Fall 2026 
    • WelcomeUGA Events 
    • Co-facilitate a UNIV Seminar course 
  • Spring 2027 Orientation Sessions 
    • TBD – More information will be available in Spring 2026. 

**Any prospective applicant who is not available to participate in all of the aforementioned dates should not apply. If you have concerns or questions, email Jalynn Wynn at jalynn.wynn@uga.edu**

Group Interviews

Applicants who have submitted a completed application will be prompted to sign up for a group interview in the applicant portal. These interviews will be conducted October 13th-22nd, 2025. Group interviews will take place in the Tate Student Center, so please verify the location of your interview upon registration. They will last approximately 1 hour and attire for these interviews is business casual. The last day to sign up for a group interview is Thursday, October 9th, 2025 at 5pm.

Personal Introduction

The personal introduction provides us with more information about applicants who were offered an individual interview. ​ The personal introduction is submitted electronically in the applicant portal. Applicants should provide us further insight into their personality, what they love about UGA, and why they want to be an Orientation Leader. The personal introduction is due by Thursday, October 30th, 2025 at 5:00pm.

Individual Interview

Applicants invited to the individual interview process will be able to sign up for an interview time slot in the applicant portal. These interviews will occur November 3rd-November 12th, 2025. If invited for an individual interview, you will receive information regarding that next step, including location and time. The attire for these interviews is business professional, and these interviews will last approximately 30 minutes.

For additional information about the New Student Orientation program or the Orientation Leader experience, refer to orientation.uga.edu or contact Jalynn Wynn (jalynn.wynn@uga.edu) Assistant Director of New Student Orientation. Good luck!