The New Student Orientation (NSO) experience consists of virtual content engagement and an opportunity for students to connect in-person prior to the beginning of the semester. Students will complete a series of five NSO Checkpoints as they navigate through the onboarding experience and the variety of general to-do items for new all students.
All important information, next steps, and deadlines for NSO will be shared through a series of bi-weekly e-newsletters with both students and their families and supporters, so be sure to check your email frequently. Because orientation sets the stage for student success, all undergraduate students must participate in the NSO experience. Below are a few general frequently asked questions, with a section specifically for transfer students, which may help students, families, and supporters as they navigate the Orientation experience.
New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed to provide an engaging and supportive experience for new students, families, and supporters as they transition to life at MSU. NSO is organized into a series of five checkpoints, which students complete prior to the start of the semester. The NSO experience focuses on supporting sense of belonging (feeling of connectedness to the campus community), building community at MSU, making connections to academic supports, campus wayfinding (navigating the physical MSU environment), and health and wellbeing.
After paying the Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit), students will start receiving bi-weekly e-newsletters to guide them through the checkpoints and ensure a smooth transition. It’s important students regularly check their MSU email for updates, next steps, and important deadlines to successfully complete each part of the orientation process.
Yes, all incoming transfer students are required to complete New Student Orientation.
Our Summer New Student Orientation (NSO) experience is designed to welcome all new students beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. First-year, transfer, and international students will participate in an orientation experience and will have the opportunity to engage with various campus resources that focus on helping them transition to MSU.
Our New Student Orientation (NSO) experience is designed to welcome all new students, families, and supporters who are entering in the January semester of 2026. First-year, transfer, and international students all come together to participate in this orientation experience with the opportunity to engage with information and resources geared toward their individual needs.
EXPLORE MORE
Submission of your Acceptance Fee automatically registers you to participate in all virtual and in-person Orientation activities. If you have not yet submitted your Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED), you must do so to start receiving information and next steps regarding the New Student Orientation (NSO) experience. Log into your account to check your status.
Yes, students will need to register for Spartan Welcome Days. Starting early May 2026, eligible students that have completed the Summer 2026 NSO Experience course will receive an email via their MSU account inviting them to register for the event. Course completions can take up to a day to show in our system, so students should plan accordingly. Please be aware that spaces are limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
First, congratulations & welcome to the Spartan Family! The New Student Orientation (NSO) experience offers a variety of engagement opportunities leading up to the start of classes. New students will complete five NSO Checkpoints, which feature both virtual and in-person components. Students are encouraged to begin their Orientation journey as soon as they receive their first e-communication from the NSO Office.
Checkpoint 1 involves completing the Math Placement Assessment, the Access & Technology Survey, and other key assessment and survey tools. These items can be submitted at your own pace as you prepare for the next checkpoints. Additionally, students will begin receiving important information from departments like Housing and Financial Aid. Be sure to regularly check your MSU email to stay on track with deadlines from NSO and other campus offices.
After paying the Acceptance Fee, it may take 1-2 business days for students to be enrolled in the NSO Experience D2L course and to gain access to MSU login credentials once the course becomes available to all new students. Please be patient and regularly check your D2L homepage for updated course listings. If enrollment hasn’t occurred after 2 business days, reach out to the NSO Office for assistance. NOTE: Students should check their e-newsletters to confirm the date the NSO D2L officially launches.
The virtual NSO experience, held during the months leading up to the semester, provides essential information for new students, families, and supporters as they prepare for life at MSU. Since not all students can travel to campus or take time off from work or other responsibilities, the virtual Orientation ensures that everyone has equitable access to important resources, no matter their circumstances. The in-person NSO program will take place between move-in and the first day of classes, and all new students are expected to attend and participate. Orientation experiences offer an introduction to MSU, focusing on community building, academics, health & wellness, and more. Participating in both virtual and in-person Orientation experiences will set students up for a smooth transition to MSU.
It’s recommended to complete the NSO Checkpoints in order, as the orientation experience is designed to build the necessary knowledge and skills for success at MSU. Checkpoint 1 covers important surveys and assessments, laying a strong foundation for the NSO D2L course in Checkpoint 2. This preparation is essential for advising and enrollment, which take place in Checkpoint 3. All of this happens before the in-person programming in Checkpoint 5.
The exception is Checkpoint 4, which includes virtual engagement opportunities like webinars, the Spartan Orientation Station podcast series, virtual engagement opportunities, and social media interactions. These can be accessed at any time throughout the NSO experience.
Many of the NSO assessments and surveys require students to use their MSU login credentials to access and successfully complete. If you are having issues with your MSU credentials or logging in, please contact the MSU IT Service Desk for additional support.
Additionally, we recognize that students utilize a variety of digital technologies (e.g., laptops, phones, iPads, etc.) to complete the virtual NSO experience. Some technologies and web browsers track cookies and caches, which may prevent access to various NSO assessments and surveys, especially if you have attempted to navigate to these resources multiple times. Check your technology settings and, if you continue to have issues, please reach out to the NSO Office directly.
Once you complete all four sections (modules) within the NSO Experience D2L course and have confirmed your college/major selection at the end of the course, you will receive a confirmation message via your D2L email inbox. If you set up D2L email forwarding (highly recommended), this email will also appear in your MSU email inbox. The email will come directly from d2l@mail.d2l.msu.edu and include the subject line ‘You Have Completed the Summer 2026 New Student Orientation Experience Course!’
Once the NSO Experience course launches, a major change form will become available to all new undergraduate students, which can be accessed at the very last page of the course. This form allows you to confirm your major and gives all new students an opportunity to change their major before navigating to the NSO Checkpoint 3 advising and enrollment step.
As you navigate your five checkpoints, you may notice that an NSO hold has been placed on your account. The hold will be removed by your advisor once you have scheduled and attended your advising appointment during NSO Checkpoint 3. Please direct any and all questions about your NSO hold to your advisor or college once you have been connected after completion of the NSO D2L experience course.
Meeting with an academic advisor is part of NSO Checkpoint 3. All students must first complete the NSO D2L course before being referred to an advisor to discuss advising and enrollment. Each college handles advising appointments differently, so it’s important to be patient and regularly check your MSU email for updates. Your advisor will reach out directly to schedule an appointment and guide you through the next steps. Any questions about advising should be directed to your college or advisor.
Note: Students in specific programs, such as Honors, may have additional steps to complete before meeting with their advisor. These steps will be communicated via your MSU email from those specific program advisors.
All new students must complete their New Student Orientation experience, unless you meet very specific exemption criteria. Please note that if you do not participate and complete your NSO experience (i.e., the NSO D2L course), MSU reserves the right to revoke your admission. Please contact the NSO Office if you have questions about this process.
Because orientation sets the stage for student success, all new students must participate in the New Student Orientation (NSO) activities/checkpoints, unless you meet any of the exemption criteria below.
If you meet one (or more) of these exemption criteria and have been notified to participate in NSO, please contact the NSO office directly and we can assist!
There are two placement assessments that are available to students: the Math Placement (required) and the Foreign Language Placement (if applicable). These two assessments provide important insights as you prepare for advising appointments at MSU. Students should complete the assessment(s) prior to their NSO Checkpoint 3 advising and enrollment step as it will help with the conversations that will occur with your advisor/college.
NOTE: The first-year Writing Placement Assessment is not required of new Fall 2025 students to complete as the assessment is currently being updated. If you have general questions about what first-year English/Writing course to take and want further guidance as you begin advising and enrollment next steps, please visit the WRAC website.
The immunization form is an online form that captures the immunization status of all incoming undergraduate students at Michigan State University. Per MSU policy, all first year and transfer students are required to complete the web-based form to report their immunization status and update it as it changes. For more information regarding the immunization form or to fill out your form, please navigate to the Campus Health Policies & Guidelines FAQ page.
Yes, some colleges at Michigan State University require completing their orientation requirements as part of the Checkpoint 3 advising and enrollment process. Be sure to access your MSU email often and read the email from your academic advisor/college carefully to learn more about how to schedule your advising appointment, prepare for your advising meeting, and enroll in courses successfully.
Welcome to State programming at MSU is a series of campuswide events designed to help all new students engage with their peers and the MSU community through exciting activities. Students are expected to attend the New Student Kick-Off event at the Breslin Center, explore resources during our Evening Socials, Spartan Quest, Campus Open House activities, participate in the Sparty Gras Fall Fest, connect with student organizations at Sparticipation, engage with their academic programs during College Colloquium, among other events.
Attending Welcome to State is crucial for building a strong sense of community and connection at MSU. It provides opportunities to navigate campus, learn about valuable resources, and engage in important discussions about belonging, academic success, public safety, and health and wellbeing. These experiences help new students feel more prepared and supported as they begin their journey at MSU.
Yes, if you completed the NSO experience for a previous semester but deferred your enrollment, you will need to complete NSO again. This is because important information, dates, and program experiences have been updated, and you will also need to schedule a new appointment with your academic advisor to select your courses.
The Office of Admissions continues to offer campus tours to new students. If you would like to schedule a visit and receive an official tour of campus, please contact the Office of Admissions directly.
Review this webpage for questions specific to summer or spring orientation.
Please check out another robust Frequently Asked Questions, which was assembled by the Office of the Registrar to help students navigate their transition to and time at MSU. Otherwise, please contact the New Student Orientation office at 517-884-8490 or email at nso@msu.edu for more assistance.
All incoming students, first-year, transfer, and international students, are expected to participate in the various Orientation activities offered by NSO, Student Life, academic colleges, and other units or departments as required. Stay tuned for transfer-specific student programming offered throughout the orientation experience. Transfer program dates, times, and elements will be shared via e-communications.
All transfer students are required to complete the Math Placement service so there is a score on file for your academic advising appointment. After your transfer credits are approved, any requirements can be adjusted accordingly. NSO recommends that you have your final transcripts easily accessible during your academic advising appointment for your academic advisor to assist with appropriate course placement (as applicable).
Be sure to review the transfer credit information through the Office of Admissions and have your official transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions address on the website. You will also find links to course equivalencies by institution. Students should provide their final transcripts with final grades as soon as possible. This time of year is very busy with credit evaluation, so provide your information as soon as possible. Students are also encouraged to have their final transcripts with final grades accessible during your academic advising appointment if your credit evaluation is still being processed.
Due to the size of the fall incoming class, on-campus housing for the spring incoming class is not guaranteed and is expected to be extremely limited. With this, the two-year live-on requirement is waived for spring incoming students, and transfer students are encouraged to explore off-campus housing options by visiting MSU’s Off-Campus Housing website.
For those who wish to request on-campus housing for spring 2025, the Housing Assignments Office will open a request form in mid-October. You will be notified by early December if you will be granted on-campus housing for spring 2025, though REHS may be able to contact you earlier depending upon availability. You will be assigned to space as available and will not be able to select bathroom preferences or specific roommates. Watch your MSU email for more information from MSU Live On. While we will do our best to provide regular updates, we would still encourage you to explore off-campus options in the meantime.
Transfer students may have already completed many first- and second-year coursework requirements depending on the amount of time spent at a prior institution(s). Be aware that the Registrar’s Office holds seats for all new students in many of the courses offered at MSU. Students will have multiple opportunities to discuss course options and offerings with their advisor prior to the semester beginning.
No – once you have submitted your Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) to MSU, you will automatically be registered to participate in the Orientation experience and programming.
If you have questions about orientation experience, please check out our General NSO FAQs above or the five checkpoints for more information. If you did not find the answer you were looking for or if you have further questions, please contact us.
Specific NSO dates, times, events, and experiences will be communicated with deposited students and their families and supporters via bi-monthly e-newsletters starting in March/April and bi-weekly communications beginning in May. These e-newsletters will continue throughout the summer and will contain important information about the five checkpoints, next steps, and deadlines. Students are highly encouraged to check their MSU email often over the summer. Check out our NSO Communications page to catch up on past e-newsletters.
The Summer New Student Orientation experience consists of five checkpoints that will occur beginning in May and conclude when the semester begins. Checkpoints 1-4 of NSO will occur virtually and will be completed throughout May, June, and July. Checkpoint 5 consists of an in-person Welcome to State program, which will occur between move-in day(s) and before the semester begins.
All new students will engage with a virtual D2L experience course titled Summer 2026 New Student Orientation Experience, which can be found by logging in with your MSU credentials at d2l.msu.edu. The course will be available and open for all new students in May with a completion deadline of early June.
The NSO D2L will include various interactive modules to help students identify important resources and departments at MSU. Once the “Summer 2026 New Student Orientation experience course has been completed, students will be referred to connect with an academic advisor by appointment between June and July for advising and enrollment. In the NSO D2L, you will also review information about your college/major that will prepare you for your academic advising appointment. Your academic advising appointment will take place by appointment between June 1 and July 17, 2026. Your advisor will send you more information about your academic advising appointment via your MSU email prior to June as long as you have completed your NSO D2L experience.
As part of your in-person NSO Checkpoint 5 experience, you will have many opportunities to engage in small and large group activities, which focus on connecting you with other new Spartans and will help you to begin building your social network at MSU. Additional virtual engagement opportunities are being curated for Summer 2026 and will be shared via the bi-weekly newsletters.
Students can begin preparing for their NSO experience by completing their Checkpoint 1 items as soon as possible. There are a handful of items we recommend students complete prior to their NSO D2L experience to best prepare for the Orientation experience. Make sure you are completing the required items on the checklist and reviewing the suggested items for additional opportunities.
Primary family members that you listed on your MSU application will also receive bi-weekly e-newsletters from the NSO office. We encourage you to share important information regarding New Student Orientation with anyone you prefer. Families and supporters can also engage with the Spartan Family Connections department to identify important resources as they join the MSU community.
Submitting your Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) to Michigan State will automatically get you connected with the Office of New Student Orientation. Students will complete a series of five checkpoints as they prepare for the upcoming semester. An optional in-person Orientation program will be made available to students. Once you have paid your deposit, you will receive a confirmation message to your email account. Please review this email as it contains information about next steps.
If you have questions about orientation registration, check out our General NSO FAQs above for more information. If you did not find the answer you were looking for or if you have further questions, please contact us.
Your New Student Orientation experience will consist of completing five checkpoints. Checkpoints 1-4 will be completed virtually with an optional in-person experience being provided to students the week before classes begin. The first part of your NSO experience will be available in October in Desire2Learn, or D2L. This asynchronous content will help prepare you for the rest of your NSO experience and beginning your first semester.
In D2L, you will also review information about your college/major that will prepare you for your academic advising appointment. Once you complete your D2L content, you will be able to get more information about your virtual academic advising appointment. Your college will send you more information about your academic advising appointment via your MSU email once you have completed your D2L content.
Students can begin preparing for their NSO experience now by completing their checklist items. There are a handful of items we recommend students complete prior to their New Student Orientation D2L experience and during their first semester as a Spartan! Make sure you are completing the required items on the checklist and reviewing the suggested items for additional opportunities.
NSO will communicate with them via a series of bi-weekly e-newsletters leading up to the semester.
Families and supporters can review the Family & Supporter Orientation FAQ page for information about our upcoming experience. We also have a Family & Supporter Resource page that includes helpful information from various campus partners we know you want to hear from.