Degree programme choice orientation
SOrT is Sapienza's integrated orientation service. The service has a central headquarters in the University City (Città Universitaria) and branches located at the Faculties. At the SOrT offices, students can find more specific information regarding the Faculties and degree programs, as well as support to navigate their choices. The central office and Faculty professors coordinate incoming orientation and tutoring projects and provide information on the educational offerings and the administrative procedures for accessing the programs.
Orientation initiatives and projects:
1. "Open Doors at Sapienza" (“Porte aperte alla Sapienza”).
The initiative, held annually at the University City, is the most important event dedicated to new freshmen and beyond: during the three orientation days, students can meet professors and peers, receive information, and attend presentations on the educational offerings of all University Faculties in the Aula Magna. The initiative is aimed at all those intending to enroll in Sapienza's Bachelor's, Single-Cycle Master's, and Master's degree programs, with particular attention to students in the final years of high school. The event is an opportunity for every stakeholder to get to know Sapienza, its educational offerings, its spaces for study, culture, and socializing, and the multiple services available to students (libraries and study rooms, museums, university residences, sports facilities, university theater). In addition to academic information, during the meetings and at the Faculty stands along the campus avenues, as well as at the virtual stands, it is possible to obtain guidance on general administrative procedures and, more specifically, on enrollment procedures for the various degree programs and specific information on calls for applications to take admission tests.
Furthermore, to promote the development of inclusive environments and access to university education, the Sector for Relations with Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disabilities (DSA) promotes discussion spaces for managing academic careers through personalized and individualized study plans, activating educational, economic, and/or logistical support available for vulnerable students. Finally, the Sector guides students through the procedures to follow for requesting support, indicating the clinical certifications that can be submitted.
2. Sapienza Orientation Portal.
To support the process of choosing a degree program, the University has created an online portal (https://orientamento.uniroma1.it/english.html) that allows for an immersive, early experience of university life: virtually entering the campus, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, theater, and spaces dedicated to music and sports using navigable images and videos; accessing online educational modules on the main topics covered by the programs; assessing and improving one's preparation for admission or knowledge verification tests.
Additionally, the portal serves as the main point of contact for information on orientation events planned by the various Faculties and Departments throughout the year and hosts presentation videos for the Faculties, Bachelor's, Single-Cycle Master's, and Master's degree programs, particularly newly established ones. All orientation initiatives are promoted on the University's social media channels to capture the attention of potentially interested students.
3. Self-assessment tools (developed by Sapienza experts and scientifically tested).
a. "Know Yourself" (“Conosci te stesso”): effective in guiding the decision-making process aimed at choosing an educational path. Once completed, the tool provides a personality profile, an academic profile, and a professional profile.
b. "Me, Myself, and Others" (“Io, me e gli altri”): allows for the measurement of soft skills, which are relevant aptitudes for integrating into society and the workforce.
4. "Orientation Events".
All orientation events organized by the University, Faculties, Departments, and Program Area Councils (CAD)/Degree Programs (CdS) are collected in chronological order on the page https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina/iniziative-orientamento.
The University supports students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disabilities (DSA) in the delicate and crucial process of orientation, evaluation, and entry selection.
The "Sector for Students with Disabilities and DSA" evaluates what individualized arrangements for entrance exams are necessary based on the certifications submitted by the students.
To enroll in local or national limited-enrollment programs that require a selective entrance exam, individuals with disabilities can request a series of compensatory measures (e.g., a dedicated classroom; extra time; a reader tutor; an accompanying tutor; a LIS - Italian Sign Language - interpreter; a calculator) by following the request procedures indicated in the program admission notices.
Finally, the "Sector for Students with Disabilities and DSA" manages, with the support of specialized tutors, peer tutors, and LIS interpreters, the welcoming of those enrolling at Sapienza who are in vulnerable conditions.
***Degree Program Activities***
In addition to the incoming orientation initiatives and projects implemented by the University, it is worth noting that important incoming orientation activities are carried out by the Degree Programme, in line with the cultural and professional profiles designed by the teaching structure.
These activities are sometimes carried out in collaboration with the other two master's degree programmes, which also fall under the purview of the Department of Statistical Sciences (which therefore coordinates these activities).
Among others, the annual "Open Day DSS" event is noteworthy, presenting the department's programmes in greater detail.
Many faculty members from the Degree Programme participate, along with a growing number of students (and alumni) over time, testifying to their educational experience (and, in the case of alumni, their experiences after completing their master's degree).
Incoming orientation activities foster student awareness of their choices, and the growing participation of prospective freshmen in recent years is significant.