Great Start Registration

First-year commuter students must select to attend one of the following Great Start 2025 weekends:

• Weekend 1: June 28-29
• Weekend 2: July 12-13
• Weekend 3: July 26-27

Yes. Great Start is now a required program for all incoming first-year commuter students who will begin in the fall. If you plan on commuting/living off campus, you should expect to attend one of the three Great Start weekends this summer.

There is no attendance fee for Great Start. The program is required for all incoming first-year commuter students and there is no registration fee. Meals, parking, and exclusive promotional items are covered throughout the program.

Yes. Our team will share specific information related to parking and arrival the week leading up to your Great Start experience.

Great Start is a required program for first-year commuter students. During Great Start, participants can expect conversations and community-building activities designed specifically for new commuter students. Participants will get a full understanding of commuter student resources and will learn about tips and tricks that will help them have a positive transition into University life. Cane Kickoff is our mandatory orientation program for all new students (first-year commuter students included) which takes place prior to the start of classes. The program assists first-year undergraduate and transfer students with their overall academic, social, and cultural transition to the University of Miami.

Program participants will get the full commuter student experience while commuting to and from campus during Great Start. The program does not provide overnight housing accommodations for students.

Yes. Participants must attend the program in its entirety. Participants may only choose to attend one weekend.

Great Start is designed to support the transition of first-year commuter students. Transfer students are not encouraged to register for Great Start. Transfer students will meet the Transfer Assistant during Cane Kickoff and will receive support from their TA throughout their entire first year at the U. More information about transfer student support can be found here.

Students can expect the days to run as follows:

• Saturday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Great Start is hosted by the Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement. Professional staff members from the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement along with professional staff members from other University of Miami departments will be present.

Great Start is exclusively designed to assist incoming commuter students as they acclimate to life at the University of Miami. Family members are encouraged to attend Family Cane Kickoff in August.

Students can find the exemption request on this site. Scroll to the part of the site that reads "Live-On Requirement".

Learn More

First-Year Commuter Students can register for their Great Start session on their Applicant Portal under the Events tab.

First-Year Commuter Students can only register for one Great Start weekend. The weekend needs to be attended in its entirety.

Great Start is designed for first-year students who are beginning in the fall semester.

In the Spring, our department hosts the First-Year Commuter and Off-Campus Transfer Student Welcome Event before the start of the Spring Cane Kickoff.

At the beginning of Cane Kickoff, Spring students get the chance to meet with their Commuter Assistant who will be assisting them throughout your entire spring semester.

More information and resources can be found here.