Los Angeles Orientation

Student Orientation has multiple phases, including virtual and in-person sessions, with each being designed to introduce students to campus services and help students create long-lasting connections within the AMDA community.

Please see dates below for student orientation. Attendance during Orientation is required in order to start classes on Monday, October 19th. Students must attend all virtual and in-person sessions as well as complete orientation assignments within a platform called Blackboard. Blackboard is an online education platform that will be used for your AMDA classes as well as Orientation.

If you believe you will have scheduling conflicts or have any questions, please email LAOrientation@amda.edu in advance. Please allow our team at least 1-3 business days to respond to you.

Should you have any questions regarding the Orientation process, please feel free to reach out to your Admissions Advisor (AdmissionsTeam@amda.edu) or the Orientation Committee (LAOrientation@amda.edu).

Students should expect to participate in sessions beginning at 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM Pacific (PST) during the days of Virtual Pre-Orientation and In-Person Orientation. Our Student Orientation Committee has built-in times for meal breaks and rest breaks.

• Virtual Pre-Orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th through Friday, October 9th.

• In-Person Orientation sessions are scheduled Wednesday, October 14th - Friday, October 16th.

  All undergraduate students are required to attend Orientation Check-In on Wednesday, October 14th.

Mandatory Orientation Check-In (Arrival Times):

Students are assigned a check-in time based on the residence halls they are assigned or their status as a commuter student. A commuter student is a student who does not live in student housing and commutes to campus for classes. 

Check-in will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 PM.

• Commuter Students: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• Bungalows, Vine Street Residence Hall, Yucca Street Apartments: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• Franklin Residence Hall: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 

• Sycamore Apartments: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Orientation Terminology:

• Incoming/New students are students who are attending AMDA for the first time during the 2026 term.

• 5Z students are students who have completed the AMDA Associate/Certificate program.   

• 7AC students are those who completed both the AMDA Associate/Certificate and Advanced Certificate programs.

• Transfer students are students who are coming to AMDA from the New York campus and who will not be in their 5th or 7th semester during their first term on the LA campus.

Orientation Schedules:

• Incoming/New Student Virtual Orientation Schedule

• 5Z & 7AC Student Virtual Orientation Schedule

Important Links for Undergraduate Students:

• New Student Orientation Guide

• Student Handbook

• Course Catalog

• Dance Attire Checklist

• Digital Tools for Learning

• New Student ID Request Form (In-Person Learning Students Only)

Please Note:

• Dates are subject to change.

• The required orientation sessions will be a mix of pre-recorded sessions, live Zoom presentations, departmental meetings, and in-person activities. Orientation schedules will be available to students 30 days before the beginning of the new term, and students will be emailed with instructions on how to view the schedule. It is recommended that each student spend a small portion of each day logging in to the Blackboard platform and checking their email to stay informed about important updates, assignments, and other information. Orientation also includes optional activities to introduce students to a wide variety of resources to help prepare them for the rigors of classwork.

• Parents and families should not schedule activities with their students during the weeks and weekends of Virtual and In-Person Orientation beginning Tuesday, October 6th through Friday, October 16th. This will allow students to properly transition into AMDA with support from our team.

Orientation Webinars:

• Are you a student who has attended classes on the New York campus of AMDA and would like to learn more about the Los Angeles campus? To learn more about the Los Angeles campus and meet members of the LA Student Success team please join us on September 1st at 10:00 AM Pacific for a webinar. To RSVP use the following link: AMDA Webinar: Understanding A New Campus. 

Online students should expect to participate in a virtual online orientation to meet faculty of the Online Program and key staff members of AMDA, including Admissions, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Student Success.

All online students are required to attend Virtual Online Student Orientation on Saturday, October 17th beginning at 10:00 AM Pacific and lasting until 12:00 PM Pacific.

Important Links for Online Students:

• Online Student Orientation Guide

• Course Catalog

• Technology Requirements for Online Programs

• Online Student ID Request Form

Housing Application & Assignment Information:

• Housing applications for the Fall 2026 term will be emailed to new students approximately 60 days before the beginning of the Fall 2026 term.

• Housing assignments will be solidified, and new students will be notified approximately 30 days before the start of the new academic term.

• Any student who requires a specific housing accommodation due to a documented disability or medical condition can reach out to our Disability Resource Center by emailing DRC@amda.edu. Feel free to review our Disability Resource Center page for more information.

  • For residential accommodation requests, all requests must be submitted with full documentation at least 60 days before a given semester move-in date in order for any approved accommodations to be provided by the start of that semester.

  • Requests received after that deadline will still be assessed promptly, but are not guaranteed to be provided until the start of the following semester.

• Fall 2026 Student Move-In Information

First Year Student Housing

To support student success, well-being, and community engagement, AMDA requires all first-year students, defined as students in their first and second semesters of enrollment, to reside in AMDA-approved on-campus housing. Students who live in campus housing during their first year experience stronger academic engagement, an increased sense of belonging, greater access to support resources, and improved retention outcomes. If you need to request a disability related exemption, please use this form. For non-disability-related exemptions, use this form.

All enrollment forms must be submitted by orientation. You can find the list of your outstanding documents in the Student Portal.

Los Angeles Students are required to sign several enrollment forms, including the Performance Fact Sheet and Enrollment Agreement. These forms will be sent to you by your advisor to sign. If you have any questions, please reach out to your AMDA Admissions Advisor.

The two health and wellness forms needed from students can be found in your Student Portal; both forms are required in order for you to begin classes.

• The Student Health Certificate can be completed by the student; if under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will need to sign the form. This form is to collect your health insurance information, emergency contact information, and general health history.

• The Physician's Health Certificate needs to be completed by a Physician. This form will collect your vaccination history and serve as a pre-admissions physical to ensure you are able to safely participate in the program and attend classes.

A student’s family, or support system, is essential to their success, and it is important that families are aware of the resources/services at AMDA. We encourage parents and families to familiarize themselves with AMDA; staff within the departments listed below can assist in answering your questions.

Parent & Family Engagement (Virtual)

• Join staff from AMDA Student Life, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and more to learn more about student support at AMDA during the AMDA Parent & Family Welcome. To RSVP for this session on September 30th at 10:30 AM Pacific, please use this form.

• Members of the AMDA Production team will host a session for parents and family members to learn more about student productions at AMDA. Join staff on October 7th at 1 PM Pacific for this conversation. To RSVP please use this link.

• Meet more of the AMDA student support team and get excited for the new semester with your student at Orientation Check In (& Residential Student Move In) on October 14^th beginning at 9 AM Pacific. During this time students who will live on-campus will also receive their room keys.

Campus Contacts:

• Admissions: AdmissionsTeam@amda.edu

• New Student Orientation: LAOrientation@amda.edu

• Student Affairs: LAStudentAffairs@amda.edu

• Student Success: LAStudentSuccess@amda.edu

• Housing & Residential Life: LAHousing@amda.edu

• Financial Aid: LAFinAid@amda.edu

• Student Accounts: LAStudentAccounts@amda.edu

• Disability Resources: DRC@amda.edu

• Mental Health Counseling: LACounseling@amda.edu

• Athletic Performance & Community Health: LAHealth@amda.edu

• International Student Services: InternationalLA@amda.edu

• AMDA Security: (323) 603-5937

Other Resources:

• Off to AMDA: Parent Guide

• Parent & Family Orientation Guide

• Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Guide

• Student Accounts

• Title IX

• AMDA Cafe & Flexible Food Plan

• Fall 2026 Student Move-In Information

We are excited to meet students throughout the 2026-2027 academic year. Please see below to understand more about future New Student Orientation session dates. Dates and times are subject to change.

Important Links

• 2026 - 2027 Orientation Dates