Orientation Q&A
When can I sign up for NSO?
Registration will be available by early March. Students will sign in to their MyState account and access the New Student Orientation registration form to select an available date.
Is Orientation required?
Yes. All new, transfer and readmit students must attend an in-person orientation session at ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ. For summer 2024, we have 11 first-time student sessions and three transfer/readmit student orientation sessions scheduled for students new to ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ.
Why is attendance at Orientation required?
College in general is a huge transition for our new students, and NSO is designed to help you make that transition to our university as seamless as possible. Course registration is a major part of our Orientation programs, and we'll make sure you're talking with people that are best suited to assist you in putting your class schedule together.
In addition to registration, you're going to connect with other students; get familiar with campus services; and tie up some loose ends when you pick your meal plan, get your MyJacks ID mobile credentials and learn about parking options. In short, you're going to gain a lot from this experience and leave prepared for the academic and social opportunities that await you next semester.
Will I get the classes I need if I come to a later session?
Yes. We engage the help of professional and academic advisors who are familiar with graduation requirements and major coursework to help our students build a schedule that comprises the classes they need.
What do I need in order to sign up for NSO?
To register for an NSO session, you will need to be admitted to the university and have your seven or nine-digit student ID number. This number can be found on your official admission letter or by contacting Admissions at 1-800-952-3541.
Ready? . You will be directed to the MyState portal. Please log in to register for NSO.
How can I make changes to my registration?
If any of your information has changed since you registered for NSO, including major, contact information or accommodation needs, please notify us prior to your session if possible. You can reach Orientation at 605-688-6283 or via email.
What will I do at Orientation?
Check out the complete NSO schedule in the menu to find out exactly what we have in store for you.
Can parents/guardians/family come to Orientation?
Definitely. While parent/guardian attendance isn't required, we encourage those that can come to do so. College is often a family decision, and we want everyone in the family to feel comfortable with ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ and its offerings.
Is there a cost to attend Orientation?
No. Attendance at Orientation is free.
What should I wear to Orientation?
There is not a specific dress code for NSO. We encourage you to pack clothing and shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the weather on those days. Keep in mind that you will be spending the majority of your time indoors, but you may also head outside to get to various buildings on campus.
Can I attend Orientation with a friend?
Absolutely. We recommend that you sign up for your session at the same time as they do fill up on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I get to Orientation?
Follow these directions to get to campus.
Major airports close to Brookings:
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My older sibling already went through Orientation at ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ, can s/he just tell me how to do everything?
While we totally recommend that you turn to your sibling as a resource for advice and information on his/her experience at NSO and ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ in general, you still need the benefit of going through this process yourself. Information can change from year to year, and experiences are different for every student -- make the most of yours!
What should I do if I can't make it to any of the scheduled NSO dates?
Please do your best to make arrangements to attend New Student Orientation. Completion of an Orientation program is required prior to course registration.
Have other questions?
Please contact the Office of New Student Orientation at 605-688-6283 or ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Orientation. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
With general admissions inquiries, you are welcome to contact the Office of Admission at 1-800-952-3541 or ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Admissions.