Hillyer College Early Arrival Experience

All incoming Hillyer College students are invited to attend the Hillyer College Early Arrival Experience, August 17–21 to build a strong foundation as they begin their college career.

A group of Summer bridge students reading the Harrison Library in between classes.

Why Attend Early Arrival?

Our research shows that students acclimate to their college life much faster when they participate a pre-semester college program. You participate in a five-day immersive experience, while you receive an introduction to collegiate study skills. This gives you a jump start as you gain an understanding of the ways a student is more likely to be successful in college.

Plus, you’ll meet other students, giving you a confident and welcoming start to the semester! Please note that Early Arrival does not replace UHart Orientation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students who participate in an Early Arrival Experience do better in their first semester. It makes sense because you’ll already know other students, some of the faculty and the campus will already feel like home.

You attend college workshops in the morning and following lunch, you have a class in collegiate study skills. Topics include time management, collegiate note taking, mindfulness, and reduction of anxiety. The afternoon can introduce you to people and places of the University, as well as planned off-campus opportunities to meet leaders in the region. We have visited art museums, attended baseball games, and more as a way of introducing you to the area. Your evenings are built around group activities, both on and off campus.

Early arrival workshops are taught by the faculty of Hillyer College. Their skills are not just in the academic area. They understand that students who find comfort with their new surroundings are more likely to be successful across the entire semester.

Each workshop will also have a coach/mentor. These are students who graduated from Hillyer and are now juniors or seniors at the University. They have been where you are and understand what it means to start college and successfully navigate through it.

Yes, you will move in to your dorm, so you need to bring everything you need to start the semester.

Commuter students are a welcome part of the Early Arrival Experience. The only difference is that you will live at home and commute into campus each day of the program.

You don’t have to pay anything to attend. Programs like this at other institutions cost around $1,000 for the week. The Hillyer College alumni have made gifts for the specific purpose of covering all your costs for the week.

Additional Questions?

Hillyer College Early Arrival Students playing Jenga in Alumni Plaza.

If you have any questions about the Hillyer College Early Arrival Program, please email Ryan Gorneault at hillyer@hartford.edu.

It was nice having the time to get know my math professor and get a preview of what my math class would be like.

Kareena Best, '26