Cougar Welcome Days
How to register (required to attend):
1) Make sure you have a Fall 2025 application on file.
2) Select the date and time you are interested in signing up. Be sure to note the Cuesta campus location the session occurs.
3) Log-in to your myCuesta using your Cuesta username sent to you after you've been accepted. You must have created your password and logged into your myCuesta to sign up.
4) Research and explore Cuesta's Areas of Study. Please indicate the Area of Study you are interested in. Your Area of Study will contain the major you applied to.
5) Complete the sign-up by providing your contact information.
Please note that pop-up's must be enabled to log-in via myCuesta. Do not use guest log-in.
2026 Dates Coming Soon!
Thank you for attending Cougar Welcome Days 2025. We look forward to seeing you in the Fall semester!
If you need additional support, we will have Fast Track Registration Days available this summer, June, July, August, 2025! Click here for more information about dates.
Arrival and Check-In Instructions
Saturday, May 3th & Saturday, May 10th - Cougar Welcome Days
Parking: Parking Lot 2. Parking is free during the event.
Check-In: Parking Lot 2. Parking is free during the event.
Cougar Welcome Days are available for new incoming First-Time college students to provide the necessary skills to build their first semester of classes.
Have you taken Cuesta dual enrollment classes currently or in the past? Please reapply to Cuesta as a first-time college student to be eligible for Cougar Welcome Days' priority registration. Dual Enrollment (Enrichment) students are not eligible.
Required Steps for Participation
Cougar Welcome Days are for a new first-time college student. To participate in Cougar Welcome Days, a student must:
- Have an application on file for Fall 2025. Apply online
- Have access to their my.cuesta.edu student portal.
- Complete the online orientation through their student portal.
- Please note the math & English course placement tool is optional at the end of the orientation process.
*It is expected for all students who are attending to have ALL steps completed 24 hours before the event starts.
What To Expect During Cougar Welcome Days
During the half-day Cougar Welcome Days sessions, students should expect to :
- Explore their Area of Study
- Learn how to use and navigate the myCuesta Portal
- Find classes using class finder
- Build their first-semester schedule of classes
- Meet with our counseling team and learn more about your Area of Study
- Our counseling team will guide you through registering for Fall 2025 classes!
- Register for their first semester of classes
- Get to know and interact with fellow first-time college students
Virtual
- Cougar Welcome Days attendees meet with academic counselors every 15 minutes. Your 15 minute counseling appointment will be scheduled based on the order you register for the event. For example, if you are the 3rd person to register for your time slot, you will be the third person to meet with a counselor.
In Person
- Students will meet with counselors in a group setting during their scheduled time slot. Each student will have the opportunity to get counseling support to ensure their class schedule is accurate.
Areas of Study are groups of programs that have related courses or similar employment outcomes. Cuesta College has grouped degree and certificate programs in Areas of Study to better support students.
Visit the program mapper to view Areas and Study and their pathways to access to help you get started on your educational journey at Cuesta.
If you are unable to attend the additional date, please schedule an appointment with a counselor.