June/July
Orientation
June/July
Orientation
Student
Orientation
and May
Orientation
Orientation
Program Information
January and May AOP
We are so excited that you have chosen Michigan State University! The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) has been designed to help you prepare to begin your course work at Michigan State University. During AOP we will:
- Introduce you to the academics at MSU
- Give you information about your major and how to be successful at MSU
- Help you enroll for your classes
- Introduce you to several campus services and resources
- Address academic and student life expectations and responsibilities
On this page you will find:
Who Attends Orientation
Parent Information
Program Expectations
Arriving on Campus
Things to Bring
Tuition and Fees
Meals
Lodging
Strategies for AOP
Information You Can Expect Before AOP
Dates and Schedule
Checking Out
The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) has been carefully planned to ease your transition into college life at MSU. Attendance at an assigned AOP is required. In the AOP sign-up system, you can: confirm your AOP date and change your date.
Since space is limited and filled by assignment only, you may not attend a different program without prior approval.Because of limited space and a tight schedule of activities, family members or friends cannot attend the program activities with you.
You are not required to attend an Academic Orientation Program if:
- You already have a B.A. or B.S. degree
- You are a Registered Nurse admitted to the baccalaureate completion curriculum and are taking an online class
- You are admitted to an Evening Degree Completion Program
- You are transferring from the two-year Michigan State University Veterinary Technology Program
- You are transferring from the two-year Michigan State University Agricultural Technology Program
Students who are not required to attend the Academic Orientation Program must still link to https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/aopsignup/AppLogin.Asp? to communicate that they are excused from attendance.
If extenuating circumstances prevent you from attending your assigned program, please notify us as soon as possible 517/353-5030. If we do not receive notice about a student’s absence from AOP, we assume the student has decided not to attend MSU. Please be advised that Michigan State University reserves the right to cancel a student's admission or defer their arrival on campus should they fail to attend their assigned Academic Orientation Program.
We welcome parents to attend all of the student presentations (i.e., The Inside Scoop), with the exception of academic advising and computer enrollment. We have set aside time during the day (12:30pm-1:30pm) when parents can attend a question/answer session with the Orientation Director and a student panel. In addition, parents receive materials including the Getting Started Resource Guide and Directory and information about other resources on campus.
Academic Orientation Program Expectations
- Attendance is required at all activities of the Academic Orientation Program except when otherwise noted. You are expected to be on time for all program activities.
- All cell phones and pagers must be turned off during presentations. No cell phone use is permitted during the advising and computer enrollment processes.
- Only students attending AOP are permitted in the academic advising rooms and areas used for computer enrollment. No family members/friends may accompany you during these sessions.
Any violation of these regulations, or other inappropriate actions as determined by the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education, Director of Admissions and/or Director of Orientation, will result in disciplinary action, which can include dismissal from the Academic Orientation Program with a postponement of enrolling for classes until fall semester or a revocation of admission to the university.
• Student Orientation parking is in the visitor lot north of the stadium.
• Parking at meters, leased spaces or in areas other than visitor parking lots will result in a parking violation and/or towing. The Orientation Office can not accept responsibility for parking tickets and/or towing fees.
• If you need assistance with parking, please ask during check-in.
• Accessible parking and entrances are available at the entrances of Wells Hall. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Please note that the Orientation Office cannot accept responsibility for parking tickets and/or towing fees.
Student check-in is located in the Northeast lobby of Wells Hall. At check-in, you will be given materials needed to complete AOP activities (this includes a schedule of activities). Other necessary materials for selecting classes and enrolling for the semester will also be provided. Please be prompt to avoid being late for the first session of the program!
The AOP staff has put together a list of things that you should bring when you pack for your AOP. Remember to dress casually and comfortably when you are getting ready. You want to be comfortable during the sessions. Do not bring any valuable possessions with you, because the Academic Orientation Program is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Confirmation of your AOP date - make sure you don’t come on the wrong date! It is in the literature sent from the Orientation Office.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes - you will need to walk around to the different sessions
- Credit Evaluation - if you have college or AP/CLEP/IB/International/dual enrollment credit
- A watch -you must be on time to every session
- Backpack or bookbag - to carry everything that we give you at check-in
- Umbrella - you don’t want to get caught in the rain
- Personal spending money – if you want to grab a snack
- Personal items to move into your residence hall room - you will be able to move into your residence hall after you have completed your orientation. Parents can move items into your residence hall room for you while you are attending AOP.
The Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED), which secures your spot in the class, includes the fee for your AOP. It is not necessary to pay your tuition and fees at AOP.
Your tuition bill will be ready for viewing online in STUINFO http://stuinfo.msu.edu) after your Orientation Program. You will receive an e-mail in your MSU account indicating that your tuition bill is ready for viewing. Pay close attention to the payment deadline so you are not charged a late fee.
Meals are available at the International Center food court, located next to Wells Hall. The food court offers Panda Express, Subway, Villa Pizza, and Sparty's Coffee House. Note that you are responsible for the cost of your meals.
Remember to bring a snack if you know that you will be hungry!
If you or your family members need to make lodging accommodations in the local area, please refer to the list of area hotels (http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/travel/msu_hotel.htm).
Strategies for a Successful AOP
- Attend all of the presentations/activities
- Ask questions; ask for help if you need it
- Talk to the AOP staff
- Be prepared to meet with your academic adviser; learn about university resources
Information you can expect before AOP
- Mailings from academic colleges
- Immunization information (https://ntweb1.ais.msu.edu/immunize/) - You must complete this online.
- Financial Aid information (http://www.finaid.msu.edu) -Students can expect to receive their first award letter from MSU before Orientation if they have filed FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) correctly.
- Housing Information (http://www.hfs.msu.edu) - You should receive your residence hall assignment by your orientation date (if applicable).
The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) will take place on the following dates.
Spring Semester (begin classes in January):
January 8 and January 9, 2009Summer Semester (begin classes in May): May 15, 2009
In order to meet with an adviser and enroll for classes during orientation, you must attend every orientation presentation. It is not possible to enroll for classes earlier than scheduled. We are unable to alter scheduled times. Please keep this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements.
Below you will find a tentative schedule of AOP. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, so be ready to listen and get involved! Remember that each session is mandatory, and if you skip a session you will not be able to enroll for your classes during the program. Attendance will be taken at various sessions.
8:00am Check-In Northeast Lobby of Wells Hall 8:00am-8:30am Making Changes in Your Declared Major 8:30am-9:05am Welcome and Overview of the Academic Orientation Program 9:05am-9:40am The Inside Scoop…Make a Successful Transition 9:05am-9:40am Degree Navigator and Transfer Credit 9:45am-10:15am Study Abroad Opportunities 9:45am-10:10am Reapplying for Admission to the College of Business and the College of Engineering 9:45am-10:10am Gaining Admission to the College of Education 10:15am-10:45am Be Successful at MSU 10:15am-11:15am Placement Testing (Math and Foreign Language) 10:50am-11:10am Using the Web to Enroll 11:15am-11:45am Secondary Education and Child Development Majors Meeting (special session) 11:15am-11:45am College Achievement Admissions Program (CAAP) Meeting (special session) 11:15am-12:15pm On-campus Housing Information (special session) 11:15am-11:45am Parking on Campus (special session) 11:15am-12:15pm Making Changes in Your Declared Major (special session) 12:30pm -1:30pm Parent Question and Answer Session 12:30pm Orientation to Your Major
Academic Advising
Computer Enrollment
Every student finishes their AOP at a different time. Once you have completed your class schedule and checked out with our AOP staff members at the designated location, you are free to leave. Some students may finish earlier than 5:00pm depending on how quickly they see their academic advisers and computer enroll.