Preparing for Orientation

The New Student Orientation (NSO) experience will take place primarily online, with an in-person program offered just before the start of the semester. Students will progress through five key checkpoints as part of their NSO journey. To successfully complete NSO, students must finish all five checkpoints. Be sure to review the first-year student NSO checklist to understand the full requirements.

Important information, next steps, and deadlines will be communicated through bi-weekly e-newsletters, so it’s essential to check your email regularly. Since Orientation is crucial to your success, all new students are required to participate, unless they meet specific exemption criteria.

Note: Failure to complete NSO may result in the revocation of your admission to MSU.

Pay your Acceptance Fee to register for Your New Student Orientation (NSO) Experience

After submitting your Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit), you will receive a confirmation message sent to your preferred email account. This message will also be available in your Admissions portal. Be sure to review the confirmation message carefully for any important next steps. Additionally, we have a list of frequently asked questions to help guide you through the NSO experience.

Check Your Status

Checkpoint 1: Placement Tests

Complete Your Placement Assessments and Surveys

Before beginning your NSO D2L course and meeting with your academic advisor, it’s crucial to complete your Placement Assessments and survey tools. These are key first steps in your NSO journey. Both the assessments and surveys can be done online from home. Continue reading for detailed information about the requirements for Checkpoint 1.

How do I know what placement assessments to take?

Math Placement Assessment: All incoming students are required to complete the Math Placement Assessment. This assessment is crucial for ensuring you are enrolled in the appropriate math course for your major. Without completing it, you may be placed in the lowest level of math, which could result in the need for additional math courses to meet graduation requirements. The math placement score is a prerequisite for higher-level math courses, so it’s important to complete this assessment.

NOTE: To determine if your major may waive the University math requirement by proctored math placement assessment, please click here. All other students can go directly to the math placement assessment using the link above and navigate to ‘Take the MPS Assessment”.

Language placement assessments are recommended for students who have prior experience with a foreign language. Taking this assessment can help you continue your language studies or meet any foreign language requirements.

Note: If you have questions about either of these assessments, please contact your advisor or reach out to the math or language departments directly using the provided links.

Math Placement Assessment Foreign Language Placement Test

Access and Technology Accommodations Survey

To ensure you have the tools and support necessary for your academic success, we strongly encourage you to complete the Access & Technology Survey as part of your NSO Checkpoint 1. This survey tool helps us identify any technological needs or accessibility accommodations you may require during NSO programming, allowing us to provide the resources that will best support your transition to MSU. Completing this survey early is key to ensuring you have everything you need for a successful start to your Orientation journey.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the survey, please contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) directly at 517-884-7273. They are available to provide guidance and answer any concerns you may have.

Review Our Helpful Resources

With the assistance of our campus partners, we have gathered a comprehensive list of important resources to help you prepare for both your New Student Orientation (NSO) experience and your first semester at MSU.

Are you unsure how to navigate Desire2Learn (D2L), the first component of your NSO experience? Don’t worry! We have created user-friendly tutorials that will guide you through the platform. Simply click the link below to access these valuable resources.

Additionally, we want to ensure that you’re fully equipped for your academic and virtual engagements. If you need help setting up your two-factor authentication or accessing your Zoom and Microsoft Teams accounts, we’ve got you covered! Our resources are designed to make your transition smoother and more efficient, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your education and success at MSU.

Click the link below to get started, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Review Our Helpful Resources 2024-25 New Student Orientation Resource Guide

Spartan ID Card

All Spartans are issued a student ID known as the Spartan ID Card. Before the semester starts, students can upload their Spartan ID photo, with the option to do so before you arrive on campus. You’ll be able to pick up your Spartan ID Card when you arrive on campus, but make sure to bring a government-issued ID (such as a passport or driver’s license) to collect your card.

Incoming students will receive further information regarding the photo submission process once it becomes available. When the photo upload is open, you can find the submission deadlines and additional details using the links below. The ID Office will also update their website with important dates for photo uploads prior to the start of the semester.

Spartan ID FAQ Upload My Photo