Family Orientation

berklee family at move-in

In addition to student orientation events, Berklee offers a family orientation program specifically for parents and families of incoming students. You'll have opportunities to experience Berklee through the perspective of a student, to discover resources available, and to learn how you can support your student through this transition. We look forward to welcoming our newest Berklee families to our community!

Family Orientation takes place three times a year: in January for spring semester entering families, in May for summer semester entering families, and in August for fall semester entering families. We know not all families are able to join us in person in Boston, so our educational content is delivered online via webinars, virtual office hours, our Family Guide, and family newsletters leading up to each entering semester. For those joining us in Boston when your student arrives for orientation, we will offer opportunities to connect with other new family members and explore campus and the Boston area; however, there will be limited informational sessions as content will be delivered in advance. If you have any questions, please email families@berklee.edu.

August 2023 Family Welcome Celebration

Families planning to join us in person for our fall welcome celebration should plan to be at Berklee starting on the morning of Saturday, August 26, and wrapping up by early evening on Sunday, August 27. If you plan to join us in person, please visit our Family Welcome Celebration Registration Form. 

For families in Boston helping their students arrive on campus, we are hosting a few receptions and opportunities to connect. As a reminder, no new information will be delivered at the Family Welcome Celebration events—these are social opportunities while you're in Boston that are optional to attend.

Please note: events, locations, and times are still being finalized and event details are subject to change. A printed schedule for visiting families will be available to pick up at our family welcome center, in the Red Room at 939 Boylston Street) when you arrive on campus.

Saturday, August 26

Events include:

  • Orientation Welcome Center (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) - Red Room, 939 Boylston Street
  • Campus Tours (10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.) - tours leave from 1140 Boylston Street
  • Shopping Trips (11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.) - leave from 7 Haviland Street
  • Family Welcome Reception (5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.) - Sheraton - Constitution Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Sunday, August 27

Events include:

  • Family Coffee Hour (9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.) - 1140 Boylston Street, Steve Heck Room
  • Campus Tour (9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.) - leave from 1140 Boylston Street
  • "A Day in the Life of a Student" Panel and Family Support Resources (10:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.) - Sheraton - Constitution Ballroom, 2nd Floor
  • Berklee Bridge Family Resource Fair (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) - Sheraton, Grand Ballroom Foyer, 2nd Floor
  • First-Generation Family Panel (1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.) - Sheraton, Constituton Ballroom, 2nd Floor
  • Walk to Open Newbury with the Orientation Leaders (1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.) - Groups leave from from 7 Haviland Street
  • Divisional Addresses for Conservatory Families (2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.) - varies by division
  • Convocation (Note: programs at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.—we encourage you to attend the time that works best for your family’s schedule and departure plans. Please note, convocation is first-come, first-served). - Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
family at move in

August 2023 New Family Resources

Webinars

Please note: All webinars are in Eastern Standard Time and will be recorded. Webinar recordings will be posted and available on our Recorded Webinars page within three business days of the webinar date. 

New Student and Family Programs Welcome Webinar: Wednesday, May 31, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Join us for the New Student and Family Welcome Webinar, intended for new Berklee students and families joining us in August 2023. In this webinar, we will have staff from New Student and Family Programs, Housing and Residential Education, and representatives from both Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee Admissions. We will be discussing next steps for admission, information about new student and family orientation, and on-campus housing. We can't wait to meet you!

Watch the Recording

First Semester: How to Prepare (College-Only) Webinar: Friday, June 9, 10:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

This webinar is open to students and families entering Berklee College of Music only. Join to learn and ask questions about how to prepare to enter the College and what you can be doing now. Students and families are both welcome to the first hour, and the second hour will welcome only students and place them into Zoom breakout rooms by instrument.

Watch the Recording

Student Success: Pre-Orientation Programs and Services Webinar: Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Join us to learn more about Student Success initiatives at Berklee, including the Black Scholars Initiative, neurodivergent program, and SOMOS Latinx pre-arrival programs, International Student Services, and the RISE program to support first-generation students.

Watch the Recording

One Stop Student Services Webinar: Wednesday, June 28, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Join this webinar to learn about important dates, deadlines, and tasks related to bills, check-in, and more. Staff members will be present from One Stop Student Services (registrar, student accounts, and financial services), as well as New Student and Family Programs.

Watch the Recording

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Next Steps Webinar: Tuesday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

This webinar is open to students and families entering Boston Conservatory at Berklee only. Join to learn and ask questions about how to prepare to enter the Conservatory and what you can be doing now. 

Watch the Recording

Health and Wellness Webinar: Friday, July 14, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

This webinar will be co-hosted by New Student and Family Programs along with Health and Wellness. Join us to learn about Health and Wellness offerings, the Berklee-sponsored student health insurance plan, and more. 

Watch the Recording

Student Success Advising Webinar: Thursday, July 20, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Join this webinar to hear from our Student Success Advising area, as well as New Student and Family Programs, about what your Student Success Advisor will offer, how course schedules are built, the support resources available to Berklee students, and more.

Watch the Recording

International Student Services Webinar: Wednesday, July 26, 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

Join New Student and Family Programs along with International Student Services (ISS) to hear about important onboarding steps for international students, support resources on campus, and to get your questions answered by ISS team members.

Watch the Recording

Housing and Move-In Webinar: Tuesday, August 8, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Join us to connect with staff members from New Student and Family Programs along with Housing and Residential Education to get your questions answered around housing, move-in, the housing waitlist, and more.

Watch the Recording

Drop-In Virtual Q&A Sessions

We will be hosting a series of virtual question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions to make sure you feel fully confident and connected to us at Berklee. Drop in any time during the two-hour sessions and we will be ready to support you. Some of these sessions are hosted by just our New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) team, while others will have campus partners present who you can meet with one-on-one in Zoom breakout rooms. Campus partners may include Health and Wellness, Housing and Residential Education, International Student Services, Accessibility Resources, One Stop Student Services, and Student Success Advising.

Drop-In Q&A Hours (with Campus Partners): Friday, June 2, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Join us for a drop-in question and answer session with staff members from the following areas: New Student and Family Programs, Accessibility Resources for Students, Health and Wellness, Housing and Residential Education, International Student Services, One Stop Student Services, and Student Success Advising. You are welcome to drop in at any time during the two hours, and we will be ready to answer your questions about onboarding in either a group setting or one-on-one in a breakout room. 

This session has passed.

Drop-In Q&A Hours (NSFP): Thursday, June 22, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

You are welcome to drop in at any time during these two hours, and we will be ready to answer your questions about onboarding, new student and family orientation, and more in either a group setting or one-on-one in a breakout room. 

This session has passed.

Drop-In Q&A Hours (with Campus Partners): Tuesday, July 11, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Join us for a drop-in question and answer session with staff members from the following areas: New Student and Family Programs, Accessibility Resources for Students, Health and Wellness, Housing and Residential Education, International Student Services, One Stop Student Services, and Student Success Advising. You are welcome to drop in at any time during the two hours, and we will be ready to answer your questions about onboarding in either a group setting or one-on-one in a breakout room. 

This session has passed.

Drop-In Q&A Hours (NSFP): Friday, July 28, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

You are welcome to drop in at any time during the two hours, and we will be ready to answer your questions about onboarding, new student and family orientation, and more in either a group setting or one-on-one in a breakout room. 

This session has passed.

Student Success Programs Q&As: Monday, July 31, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Join our Student Success team for a drop-in question-and-answer session about our pre-orientation, orientation, and academic year programs.

This session has passed.

Drop-In Q&A Hours (with Campus Partners): Thursday, August 10, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Join us for a drop-in question and answer session with staff members from the following areas: New Student and Family Programs, Accessibility Resources for Students, Health and Wellness, Housing and Residential Education, International Student Services, One Stop Student Services, and Student Success Advising. You are welcome to drop in at any time during the two hours, and we will be ready to answer your questions about onboarding either in a group setting or one-on-one in a breakout room. 

This session has passed.

Student Success Programs Q&As: Monday, August 14, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Join our Student Success team for a drop-in question-and-answer session about our pre-orientation, orientation, and academic year programs.

This session has passed.

New Family News Communications

We will be sharing email newsletters on the following dates for new Berklee families whose students are joining us in August: 

To be added to our email list for August new families, email us at families@berklee.edu.

Virtual Tours

To learn more about Berklee's physical campus, including our state-of-the-art facilities, classrooms, and performance spaces, we encourage you to take a virtual tour.

Connect

Interested in connecting with other Berklee parents and families? Join the Berklee Parents and Families Facebook group to stay engaged and receive updates. 

View additional resources and events offered to Berklee families throughout the year.