International Student Checklist

Wondering what you need to do during New Student Orientation (NSO) and your transition to MSU? Check your progress! The NSO experience is organized into a series of five checkpoints, which will be completed in the following order:

  • Checkpoint 1: Getting started – All new undergraduate students will review and complete the following items to start their NSO experience: submit the Access & Technology survey, an Immunization Form, the Math Placement Assessment, and the Language Placement Assessments. Note: Fall 2024 students are highly encouraged to complete the necessary course assessments and survey tools before academic advising and course enrollment occur in June and July, 2024. Spring 2025 students are highly encouraged to complete these items starting in late October before advising and enrollment occurs in January.
  • Checkpoint 2: Complete the NSO D2L Experience Course – All new students are required to complete our virtual New Student Orientation Desire2Learn (D2L) experience course. This interactive online module course will help students learn more about MSU while identifying key resources prior to the beginning of the semester. Note: Fall 2024 students will gain access to the online NSO D2L experience course in May, 2024. Spring 2025 students will gain access to the online NSO D2L experience course in November.
  • Checkpoint 3: Advising & Enrollment – After fully completing the online NSO D2L experience course, students will be referred to connect with an advisor/College to schedule an academic advising appointment and discuss the process of course enrollment. During the appointment, an advisor/College will communicate with you regarding steps to enroll in the first semester classes. Students must complete their NSO D2L course before gaining access to an advisor/College. Note: Please be patient as you wait to hear from your advisor/College after completing the NSO D2L experience course. Be sure to check your MSU email often (both inbox and junk folders) for important information directly from your advisor/College about your specific advising and enrollment process. Fall 2024 students will have access to advising and enrollment experiences beginning in June, 2024. Spring 2025 students will have access to advising and enrollment in January right before the semester begins.
  • Checkpoint 4: NSO Engagement Opportunities – NSO has created a series of informative virtual podcasts to assist students as they transition to MSU. These engagement opportunities will allow students, families, and supporters to connect virtually with various MSU campus partners to learn more about important academic and social resources across campus. Students, families, and supporters will receive communication from NSO via bi-weekly e-newsletters, which will provide more information about podcast topics, general next steps, and important NSO/MSU deadlines as the semester approaches.
  • Checkpoint 5: In-Person MSU NSO Welcome programming – All new students are expected to participate in an in-person Orientation program following student move-in. The NSO Welcome experience is designed to help support students as they transition into the MSU community, and will incorporate various activities and introductions to campus partners leading up to the beginning of the semester. Helpful information will continue to be shared about MSU billing and payment, residential engagement, and other important resources and dates as students transition into the MSU community, so please continue to monitor all MSU communications and respond as necessary. Note: Fall 2024 students can expect NSO/MSU Welcome experiences to occur between Move-In Day(s) and the beginning of the semester (and beyond) during an engagement experience called Fall Welcome. Spring 2025 students can expect in-person programming to occur the first week of January leading up to classes beginning. Specific dates and times will be shared via NSO bi-weekly newsletters.

NOTE: We understand that transitioning to MSU can include engaging with a variety of different departments. We have curated an interactive checklist below to help you keep track of your progress through NSO. Be sure to review the items below to assist as you learn and grow through the Orientation experience:

  • New Student Orientation (NSO) - Checkpoints 1-5

  • Preparing for the First Semester - General MSU Checklist

    These general MSU checklist items are for all new students. This list represents a curated collection of general resources and requests from various departments across campus. Although not a comprehensive list, we still encourage students to review the following checkpoints to help better prepare for the upcoming semester. Questions regarding any items on the following list should be directed to the respective office - not NSO - as they will have answers to your specific inquiries.
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